For car enthusiasts, modifying their vehicle is more than just an exercise in style—sometimes, it’s about performance, efficiency, and functionality too. One increasingly popular upgrade is
carbon fiber side skirts, which are prized for their sleek look and ability to improve aerodynamics. But can this upgrade go one step further and help increase your vehicle's miles per gallon (MPG)?
In this blog, we’ll explore whether carbon fiber side skirts have a measurable impact on fuel efficiency, focusing on their key benefits, how aerodynamics work, and whether they’re an investment worth considering.
What Are Carbon Fiber Side Skirts?
Carbon fiber side skirts are long panels that attach to the bottom side of your car, extending outward slightly. Their primary function is to improve aerodynamics by directing airflow around and under the vehicle. By installing carbon fiber side skirts, drivers can often achieve reduced drag and improved stability at higher speeds. Additionally, carbon fiber—a lightweight and strong material—is the premium choice for side skirts due to its:
Weight Saving Properties: It’s significantly lighter than aluminum, steel, or plastic.
Durability: Carbon fiber resists wear and tear better than some other materials.
Aesthetic Appeal: Glossy carbon fiber gives off a sleek and aggressive look, often seen on sports and luxury cars.
While their aesthetic benefits are undeniable, the performance factor—especially their effect on efficiency—is what many drivers are curious about.
How Side Skirts Affect Your Car’s Aerodynamics
To understand whether carbon fiber side skirts impact fuel efficiency, it’s important to know how they affect a car’s aerodynamics. Aerodynamics refers to how air moves across a car’s surface as it drives—and better aerodynamics means less resistance (or drag) from air pushing against the car.
How Side Skirts Help Aerodynamics:
Minimizing Turbulence: Without side skirts, air flowing underneath the car can create turbulence at the sides of the vehicle. Side skirts act as barriers that prevent air from spilling out haphazardly, keeping air flow smoother.
Directing Airflow Underneath: Properly designed side skirts guide air in a manner that reduces drag and lift (where the car is slightly pulled upward), improving stability at higher speeds.
Improved Downforce: In performance applications, side skirts aid in keeping the car closer to the ground, which reduces energy lost to upward motion.
By reducing aerodynamic drag, a vehicle requires less energy to push through the air, which can theoretically result in better fuel efficiency. Reduced drag leads to smoother movement, potentially saving fuel over time.
Do Carbon Fiber Side Skirts Improve MPG?
In low-speed driving scenarios (like city driving), carbon fiber side skirts are unlikely to make a noticeable improvement in MPG. Why? At lower speeds, the impact of aerodynamic drag is much less significant compared to high-speed driving. However, if you tend to drive on highways or at higher speeds for extended periods, carbon fiber side skirts can help improve fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag.
How Much Can MPG Improve?
It’s difficult to pinpoint exact figures because the improvement depends on various factors, including:
Vehicle Design: Overall aerodynamics play a role. A car already designed with good airflow will benefit more from side skirts than one with poor aerodynamics.
Driving Conditions: Highways or sustained high-speed driving maximize the impact of reduced air resistance, whereas city driving won’t see much, if any, improvement.
Car Weight: Reducing overall weight through carbon fiber body kits (including side skirts) can indirectly improve MPG, as the engine requires less energy to move the vehicle.
Generally speaking, aftermarket carbon fiber side skirts may contribute to marginal MPG improvements, but you shouldn’t expect drastic changes. For most vehicles doing typical road driving, the fuel savings may equate to 1-2% improvement at sustained highway speeds.
Other Benefits of Carbon Fiber Side Skirts
While their impact on MPG alone might not be game-changing, carbon fiber side skirts come with several other benefits that make them a worthwhile investment:
1. Sleek Aesthetic Upgrade
Carbon fiber creates a striking visual contrast and gives a car a more aggressive and premium look. For car enthusiasts, side skirts are often part of a larger design upgrade that includes front lips, wide-body kits, and splitters.
2. Lightweight Materials
Carbon fiber side skirts are lighter than traditional materials like plastic or fiberglass. As a result:
They reduce the overall weight of the car.
They put less stress on the car’s suspension compared to heavier components.
3. Improved Handling
While side skirts alone won’t turn your car into a track-ready machine, the better aerodynamics and increased downforce can slightly improve handling—especially at higher speeds where airflow matters most.
4. Damage Protection
Side skirts can act as a barrier along the lower sides of your car, offering marginal protection against minor road debris and scratches. This is especially handy for performance vehicles that sit closer to the ground.
Are Carbon Fiber Side Skirts Worth It for Fuel Efficiency?
If your primary goal in installing side skirts is improving fuel efficiency, they may not offer enough of a mileage boost to justify the cost. While carbon fiber side skirts can marginally improve MPG, they’re better suited for other applications, such as:
Enhancing the car’s look.
Reducing aerodynamic drag at high speeds.
Improving handling and performance on highways or during spirited driving.
Who Should Invest in Carbon Fiber Side Skirts?
Carbon fiber side skirts are ideal for:
Drivers with performance cars: If you own a sports car or a vehicle designed for high speeds, you’ll enjoy both the performance and efficiency benefits.
Highway drivers: Regular long-distance commutes or highway driving can maximize the aerodynamic advantages of side skirts.
Car enthusiasts: Those who value aesthetics and customization will appreciate the sleek look of carbon fiber.
The Role of Side Skirts in MPG
While carbon fiber side skirts do reduce drag and improve aerodynamics, their effect on MPG is relatively modest and is most noticeable during high-speed driving. For car owners who prioritize fuel efficiency above all else, other upgrades—such as engine tuning, tire selection, or reducing unnecessary weight—may yield more impactful results. However, if you want a visually stunning modification that adds to your car’s performance benefits (with a slight bump in MPG as a bonus), carbon fiber side skirts are a solid investment.
