Pathfinder backend gets dirty

MTBPATH · Apr 14th, 2006, 08:56 PM

I am curious as I am a 1st time owner of a SUV. I have a 05 Pathfinder.
is this normal, example is when driving in the rain, does the rear trunk door gets a lot of water over spray? especially the kind that is dirty and grimy.
of course this is when you are driving. I understand water fall from the roof towards the back. but does the rear tire somehow kick up all the road dirt and it gets splashed on the trunk door and window. I am talking about the floor up.
I do have mudguards. is there something to prevent this or this is normal for all SUV's?
thanks.

Pepco1 · Apr 14th, 2006, 09:23 PM

Its normal, my 06 Pathfinder and my wifes 04 Murano does it. I think the Murano is worse though. Its the mist from the tires being sucked back into the rear of the vehicles.

Outkast · Apr 14th, 2006, 10:33 PM

Yep, it normal, My Tahoe is bad about it too. That's what the rear wiper is for.

ampedxpinoy · Apr 15th, 2006, 01:24 AM

a rear spoiler helps. compare SUV's with a rear deflector or spoiler, and those without and you notice a decent difference in how dirty they get.

MTBPATH · Apr 15th, 2006, 01:52 AM

a rear spoiler that goes on top. how does that prevent tire splash coming up?
I know on ebay there was a dealer selling rear spoilers for Pathfinders.
I'll try to find it.
maybe somehow the spoiler creates less wind to suck back up?
doesn't the Toyota Highlander have a top rear spoiler?
I would like to know what purpose the spoiler serves. maybe just for looks.
if the rear spoiler does prevent tire splash. I am getting it regardless of how ugly it is. well, maybe not entirely...but will consider!

KSpider · Apr 15th, 2006, 02:06 AM

Driving in rain is going to make your car dirty no matter what...

quashun · Apr 15th, 2006, 08:48 AM

Nissan offers the rear spoiler in other countries. Check out Nissan of Australia's website for example it is called a Rear Window Air Guide in their accessories page. Maybe it does redirect air flow coming from the tires. I want one and will ask my dealer if they can order one. The ones on ebay are to expensive and require drilling.

mainerunr · Apr 15th, 2006, 03:09 PM

If you look at the back of just about any vehicle out there, the back gets dirty in the rain. Watch a car go by and you see a plume of mist behind it. Basically, on an SUV, there is such a drop off at the end of the vehicle that the air from the top doesnt wash down the back, it comes down farther behind you. This creates a larger negative pressure area behind the vehicle and all the road grime kicked up by the tires (no, sorry, mudflaps/guards arent even going to come close to controlling it) gets swirled up into this area.

The theory of the spoiler is that it deflects the air coming over the top of the vehicle down along the back of the vehicle to prevent the grime from swirling up from the bottom. It almost works...you still get dirty though, just not quite as bad.

2QIK4U · Apr 16th, 2006, 09:13 AM

The original design of the spoiler was engineered by PORSCHE and designed to deflect air up off of the back of the car, creating a downward pressure on the tires to keep them stuck to the road. Spoilers are still used in racing for this very purpose today. I've never heard of anyone installing one to reduce backwash off of their rear window. Let me know if it works out.

ampedxpinoy · Apr 16th, 2006, 10:45 PM

I guess the proper term is Rear Deflector. The deflector helps change the pressure in the back of the car to prevent the tire backsplash from going towards your car, making it dirty. Obviously it is not going to make a huge effect during rain because its the water that is carrying most of the dirt. But in dry dust conditions, the deflector will help. It is basic physics.

MTBPATH · Apr 17th, 2006, 02:59 AM

thanks for all the good feedback and info. very good stuff.
I understand that driving in the rain, nothing is going to prevent grime and dirt from getting kicked back up.
I was hoping that is would decrease the amount of build up.
at least for me, I notice that there is more dirt on the rear versus the sides of the vehicle.
I also consider road conditions, amount of water, amount of dirt, etc.
on my other car, which is slightly lowered, I don't get that much of dirt and grime build up on the rear. compared to what I see on the Pathfinder. so, different vehicles do have different results.
Thanks for taking your time to submit a reply.