When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So I shined a 1500 lumen flashlight into the vent from the outside and nothing. No visible light anywhere. As already stated earlier air moves from high pressure to low pressure and if you're trying to move air you make a path of least resistance to do that efficiently. If these were functional I should see light coming out somewhere (like you can when you look through vent next to fog light). If it's simply a equalization chamber of some sort behind the flared part so that pressure doesn't build up. I just can't see them doing anything else though.
So I shined a 1500 lumen flashlight into the vent from the outside and nothing. No visible light anywhere. As already stated earlier air moves from high pressure to low pressure and if you're trying to move air you make a path of least resistance to do that efficiently. If these were functional I should see light coming out somewhere (like you can when you look through vent next to fog light). If it's simply a equalization chamber of some sort behind the flared part so that pressure doesn't build up. I just can't see them doing anything else though.
Check for two holes inside the engine compartment right at the firewall.. You'll see the small square holes for air to vent out of as well.
One next to the battery, the other next to the master cyclinder.
Also, our fenders are not sealed at the top connections.. There is plenty of open pockets for heat to be extracted from.. The fender themselves become an open exit for heat..
Again when the car is moving forward is the key..
8 years later.. The Tips are still Fake & the Side Vents are now Fake..
Below was from the 2008 launch pdf ... We're not lying to you.. Trust me..
Originally Posted by Lexus Tech Info
The Lexus IS F's wedge-like profile is accentuated by Functional Front Fender Air Outlets with lower edges that transition into larger rocker panels and continue as a character line into the rear bumper. The front fenders wear a discrete silver, black and blue "F" marque.
Joe Z
Originally Posted by lobuxracer
So, I repeat what I said, there are no openings in the engine bay leading to the front fenders. None. If those vents vent anything it is air trapped behind the fender, not heat from the engine bay or the brakes.
From TIS New Car Features where all things like this are described in detail:
IS F - The voluminous hood and side outlets create the distinctive “F” form.
RC F - The "F" shaped side air vents that extend to the top of the front fender not only give a dynamic impression but also aerodynamically enhance handling stability.
Shapes provided in front of and behind the rear wheels realize both excellent aerodynamics and a wide and low stance.
So there is the reality. The F's slits are purely for styling, and the RC F's are functional.
Check for two holes inside the engine compartment right at the firewall.. You'll see the small square holes for air to vent out of as well.
One next to the battery, the other next to the master cyclinder.
Also, our fenders are not sealed at the top connections.. There is plenty of open pockets for heat to be extracted from.. The fender themselves become an open exit for heat..
Again when the car is moving forward is the key..
8 years later.. The Tips are still Fake & the Side Vents are now Fake..
~ Joe Z
Yeah I just don't see Lexus putting those cut-outs inside the fender if they didn't serve a purpose, especially since it's a hidden area. The fender would be stamped with just the mounting holes for where the side skirt bolts on.
UNLESS, they were originally designed to be heat extractors and during testing they created some kind of undesirable aerodynamic characteristics or wind noise and Lexus engineers said, "***** it, lets just cover up the vent with a solid plastic piece and send it to production!"
Now that would be scandalous!
I doubt it though because the ISF was the baby of Yukihiko Yaguchi who was also part of the engineering team for the Supras and we all know how every little bit of the MK4 was scrutinized even down to the hollow fiber carpet to save a few grams. I just don't see them putting on something non functional for styling purpose...
Check for two holes inside the engine compartment right at the firewall.. You'll see the small square holes for air to vent out of as well.
One next to the battery, the other next to the master cyclinder.
Also, our fenders are not sealed at the top connections.. There is plenty of open pockets for heat to be extracted from.. The fender themselves become an open exit for heat..
Again when the car is moving forward is the key..
8 years later.. The Tips are still Fake & the Side Vents are now Fake..
So I took my own advice, got out a flashlight and took a good close look inside the gills and under the hood. Easy as the driver's side plastics are currently removed for the ecu reflash.
I stand corrected as well. The fender vents are indeed functional.
Ok I correct myself.. Two holes on each side..
Once is small rectangle cut out.. The other is larger Oval stamp out.
These holes are in the same place on each side.
Passenger Side
Driver Side
Exits into fender compartment
Joe Z
This is what I saw when I removed my side skirts. You can clearly see the channels through the fender holes when you remove the skirts. I just thought the channels were plastic because they looked whiter when I looked.
Repost of my thermal pic. Those side vents are not very effective/efficient at removing heat. This was after 10 miles of 80mph freeway driving with 2-3 miles of street driving 35-40mph (no traffic, and 3 stop lights)
