What is the name of the semi-circular black plastic above the tire?
1 Answers
The semi-circular black part above the tire is called the wheel arch or fender flare. It refers to the chrome trim strip along the upper edge of the tire, which is a semi-circular component protruding from the vehicle's fender above the wheel. Its composition is typically 1/2 steel and 1/2 plastic, and this applies to both front and rear wheels. It's commonly referred to as the 'eyebrow' of the wheel, hence the name wheel arch. Below is information about the function of wheel arches: The primary purpose of wheel arches is to prevent rainwater and gravel from being kicked up by the tires during rainy conditions, which could splash onto the vehicle body and damage the paint. Generally, the wheel arches on factory vehicles are slightly wider than the tires. Modified vehicles are an exception, as they often install wheel hubs that align perfectly with the wheel arches for aesthetic purposes when changing tires.