jameswales

Roughly 50% of the cars I see over here have a black plastic piece attached to the front of the bonnet...

What are they and what advantage do they bring?

Its just curiosity!

johnehsmith

I think its to protect the front of the car in winter. What with all the salt
and slush theres a lot of rusting going on so I think these are to protect
the car from that.

Auld Yin

I think you're alluding to car bra(s). Used mainly on high performance cars to protect from stones and salt.

Piff Poff

It does sound like your referring to car bra's, protects from stone chips. However, most people who think these are an attractive addition to their vehicle (similar to those that bolt every chrome accessory ever made for their truck to their truck) do not think to clean underneath them, ever, which leads to it's own set of problems, rust being one of them.

Steve_P

Or he could just as easily be referring to a bug deflector.

Which is designed to change the airflow over the hood and deflect bugs away from the windshield.

fledermaus

never seen one of those

Steve_P

You need to get out more.

fledermaus

You think?

Piff Poff

These are also helpful if you can't see the end of the bonnet (hood) for parking, it's a good indicator to how much space you have when parking.

Aviator

They don't work that well though.

Piff Poff

I think they are better than not having one - especially when parking They do actually keep some but not all bugs from sticking to the windshield.

fledermaus

I just dodge the bugs. Must do as I've never found it a problem.

iaink

My Old Sube came with one, eventually after it was hit one rock too many it broke.

After it was gone it seemed there were a few more big strikes on the windscreen. It wasnt like night and day though. If nothing else it protected the hood from a large rock dent!

Both newer cars have slipperier aerodynamics, and dont suffer nearly as badly from bug strikes. The Honda seems almost immune to them.

iaink

Drive alongside the river between Frankford and Stirling a few times in the spring

fledermaus

Problems even in the Honda?

(are you on broadband now Iain or at work? it is Sunday isnt it?)