How do bug shields work on the hood of trucks?

Question

I could never understand why people have those UGLY bug shields on the front of their truck hoods. How does a bug shield that is about 2-3 inch wide on the front of the hood prevent bugs from hitting your windshield which is like 3 feet wide?? Obviously, bugs dont aim for the front of the hood (where the shield is) so that the wind may plow them into the front window. So is it some kind of Wind/aerodynamics thing that makes bugs miss the window?????

Answer 1

Actually, its not really keeping bugs off the windshield.  What it does - and I agree with you totally that they are ugly - is keep the dead bugs from messing up the paint job in the area between the grill and the hood.  Unless you wash your car religiously ever week, the bugs get more or less caked on there and are extremely difficult to remove - if possible at all depening on how long you let them sit there.  They do make nicer onces that match the color of the vehicle and don't protrude out.  Upon very close inspection, it looks like a huge sticker.  My brother has one on his Elise and you can't tell unless you get up real close.

Answer 2

It will push the oncoming air upwards and force the bugs to go over the windshield but bug deflectors or shields have an aerodynamic penalty of up to 5 percent lost in you mpg ratings.........

Answer 3

Yes they work very well,and I have had one on every truck I have owned,and have not had any difference in fuel mileage,Now if you have a truck with a sloped hood it might not do any good.  

Answer 4

Those deflectors work well. The bugs hit the deflector and the aerodynamics shoot it over the roof of the cab missing the windshield.

They may be ugly but they work!