Fender (vehicle): Difference between revisions

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'''Fender''' is the [[American English]] term for the part of an [[automobile]], [[motorcycle]] or other [[vehicle]] body that frames a [[wheel]] well (the fender underside). Its primary purpose is to prevent sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other [[road spray]] from being thrown into the air by the rotating tire. Fenders are typically rigid and can be damaged by contact with the road surface. Instead, flexible [[mud flaps]] are used close to the ground where contact may be possible.

Sticky materials, such as mud, may adhere to the smooth outer tire surface, while smooth, loose objects, such as stones, can become temporarily embedded in the tread grooves as the tire rolls over the ground. These materials can be ejected from the tire's surface of the tire at high velocity as the tire imparts kinetic energy to the attached objects. For a vehicle moving forward, the top of the tire is rotatingrotates upward and forward, and can throw objects into the air at other vehiclescars or pedestrians in front of the vehicle.

In [[British English]], the fender is called the '''wing'''. (thisThis usuallymay refers onlyrefer to the panels overeither the front wheelor archesrear fenders. However, in modern cars,[[Vehicle sinceframe#Unibody|unibody]] thevehicles, rear 'fenders' aremay morealso anbe integralcalled part[[quarter of the car'panel]]s body shape.). The equivalent component of a [[bicycle]] or [[motorcycle]], or the "cycle wing" style of wing fitted to vintage cars, or over tires on lorries which is not integral with the bodywork, is called a '''mudguard''' in Britain, as it ''guards'' other road users -– and in the case of a bicycle or motorcycle, the rider as well -– from ''mud'', and spray, thrown up by the wheels.

In modern [[Indian English|Indian]] and [[Sri Lankan English]] usage, the wing is called a mudguard. However, the term mudguard appears to have been in use in the U.S. at one point. The American author [[E.B. White]], in anhis October 1940 ''Harper's'' essay, ''"Motor Cars''", refers to "...mudguards, or 'fenders' as the younger generation calls them."<ref>{{Citationcite book |title=One Man's Meat |page=151 |first=Elwyn Brooks |last=White |edition=13th |year=1997 |publisher=Tilbury House |isbn=9780884481928}}</ref>

AAn commonaftermarket accessorypickup ontruck pick up trucksaccessory areis fender flares, which blocksblock mud and stones and/or coverscover rust. They areManufacturers sometimes useduse by manufacturersthem on models that havewith wider tires than basic models. Using this method, the manufacturer can provide the needed tire coverage without producing a different fender, bed sidebedside, or quarter panel for what may be a low-production model.

Fender flares are used on SUVs, pickup trucks, off-road vehicles, and sportsports cars. They either come with a vehicle as a standard equipment or are added afterwardslater as an aftermarket accessory. Fender flares are often made of fiberglass or ABS plastic to ensureprovide flexibility and lightlighter weight,; however, some trucks and SUVs come withhave metal fender flares to ensure better durability. There are 3three common styles of fender flares: OE style (Narrownarrow flares with smooth surfacesurfaces), bolt-on (wider fender flares with exposed bolts), and Cut-Out (oversized flares that require a fender trim). The primary purpose of the Cut-Out fender flares<ref>{{cite web|title=How To Install "Cut-out" Fender Flares|url=http://www.carid.com/articles/how-to-install-cut-out-fender-flares.html}}</ref> is to protect larger off-road tires from debris on and off the road. However, some truck and SUV enthusiasts install them to provide more aggressive look to their vehicles. The most important characteristic of a fender flare is the width, as it shows the tire coverage. Common fender flares are {{convert|1"|- |8"|in|cm|sigfig=2}} wide.

There are original manufacturers manufacturer-designed and aftermarket generic fenders, (universally known in British English as mudguards) for [[bicycle]]s that can be fitted to most bicycle frames. These catch and redirect road spray thrown up by the tires, allowing the rider to remain clean. They are increasinglynot common on bicycles in the more car -dependent English-speaking countries {{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}, assince bikes in these countries tendedtend to be sports-oriented, with minimal clearance between tires and frame tubes for fenders, or were ridden only in mild conditions. However, although there are a few fenders that are designed to be attached to the seat post. The trend towards urban biking, which has doubled in the past decade {{When|date=October 2023}}, leadled to a production, import, and use boom in utility bikes. [[City bicycle|European utility bicycles]], traditional [[roadster (bicycle)|roadsters]], serious [[touring bicycle]]s, and [[Cruiser bicycle|beach cruiser]]s are nearly always fitted with fenders.

Sporty-styled or racing motorcycles sometimes come with, or have added as an [[Motorcycle accessories|aftermarket accessory]], a "hugger" rear fender, attached to the rear swingarm and very close to the tire, rather than attached to the rear subframe and away from the tire.<ref>{{Citation |title=The Motorcycle Book: Everything You Need to Know about Owning, Enjoying, and ... |page=116 |first=Alan |last=Seeley |year= 2004 |publisher=Motorbooks International |isbn=978-0-7603-1745-7 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=gX9uopenItAC&q=motorcycle+hugger&pg=PA116 |quote=Most monoshock bikes have very little protection from road dirt the elements for the rear shock and linkages. A hugger mounted to the swingarm will reduce the amount of water and muck being thrown at the shock, swingarm, and back of the engine. Most replace the standard chainguard, too. }}</ref><ref>The word "Hugger" was also used in the name of a [[Harley-Davidson Sportster#Production and notable Sportster models|Harley-Davidson Sportster]] model of 2001</ref> Conversely, the practice of removing the front fender and reducing the size of the rear fender produced the [[Bobber (motorcycle)|bobber]] customization style of the 1950s onwards.

==Notes Citations ==