Front Lip vs Splitter vs Canards: What Each One Does

The front of the car is where most builds start, and it is where the names get confusing. Lip, splitter, air dam, canards. Some of these parts mostly change the look, others change how the car drives at speed. Here is what each one does and how to choose.

The short answer

A front lip is a thin extension under the bumper that lowers the look of the car and slightly reduces the air going underneath. A splitter is a flat plane that sticks out forward and creates real front downforce. Canards are small fins on the corners of the bumper that add a little front downforce and help balance a rear wing. For a street car, a lip is usually the right choice. For the track, a splitter and canards do the work.

What a front lip does

A front lip follows the shape of the bottom of the bumper and extends it a little lower. Visually, it makes the car look lower and more aggressive without changing the bumper. Aerodynamically, it reduces the amount of air that flows under the car, which slightly reduces front lift.

Lips are the most popular front aero part because they are affordable, they bolt or tape onto the factory bumper and they keep the car easy to live with. Many are made as one piece or as a three piece set that follows the corners of the bumper.

What a splitter does

A splitter is a flat, usually horizontal plane that extends forward of the bumper. Air hitting the front of the car slows down and builds pressure on top of the splitter, while air under the splitter speeds up and the pressure drops. The difference pushes the front of the car down.

A real splitter carries load, so it is supported by rods or brackets from the bumper or the chassis. Lighter street splitters look similar but work closer to a lip, which is fine as long as you know which one you are buying.

What canards do

Canards, also called dive planes, are small angled fins on the front corners of the bumper. They deflect air upward, which pushes the corner of the car down, and they create a swirling vortex along the side that helps keep air away from the underside of the car.

On their own, canards add only a small amount of downforce. Their real job is fine tuning balance, especially on cars with a large rear wing that would otherwise push wide at the front in fast corners.

Front aero options compared

Balance front and rear

Aero works as a package. Adding a big rear wing without front aero moves the balance toward understeer at speed. Adding a big splitter without rear aero can make the rear feel light. If you plan both, start with a lip or splitter at the front and a matching rear wing, then tune with canards and the wing angle. Our spoiler vs wing guide covers the rear side of the car.

Ground clearance and daily use

Every front part lowers the lowest point of the car. Steep driveways, speed bumps and parking blocks are the usual enemies. If the car is already lowered on coilovers or springs, measure the clearance before you choose a deep lip or a long splitter, and approach ramps at an angle.

Materials

ABS plastic is the most common material for lips. It is stiff, takes paint well and is often supplied in gloss black, so no paint is needed. Polyurethane is more flexible and survives scrapes better. Carbon fiber is light and looks great but is expensive to repair. Track splitters are often made from aluminum composite or plywood based panels because they are stiff and cheap to replace.

How to choose front aero

1. Decide how you use the car. Street car, mixed use or track car.
2. Match the bumper. Many lips only fit a specific bumper, such as an M Sport, AMG Line or S line bumper. Check the trim, not just the model.
3. Check the finish. Gloss black and carbon parts are ready to fit. Raw parts need paint.
4. Measure your clearance. Especially on lowered cars.
5. Plan the rear. If you add real front downforce, plan a matching rear spoiler or wing.
6. Use the right hardware. Screws and clips for lips, support rods for splitters, and the supplied fasteners for canards.

Front aero we carry

We carry front lips and splitters for hundreds of models, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Volkswagen, in gloss black, carbon look and raw finishes. Browse front lips and splitters or canards, and filter by your car.

Common questions

What is the difference between a front lip and a splitter?

A front lip extends the bottom of the bumper and mainly changes the look, with a small reduction in lift. A splitter is a flat plane that extends forward and creates real front downforce.

Do canards actually work?

Yes, but the effect is small. Canards add some front downforce and help balance a car with a rear wing. They are a tuning tool rather than the main source of grip.

Will a front lip scrape?

It can on steep driveways and speed bumps, especially on a lowered car. Measure your ground clearance and choose the depth to match how you drive.

Does a front lip need paint?

Gloss black and carbon fiber lips are ready to fit. Raw or primed lips need paint before installation.

How is a front lip installed?

Most lips attach with screws, clips and 3M tape to the bottom of the factory bumper. Splitters also need support rods or brackets to carry the load.

Find front aero for your car

Add your car to My Garage and product pages will show whether a part matches it. Not sure if a lip fits your bumper? Send us your VIN and a real person will check it for you.

This article is general information, not installation advice. Aero parts change how a car handles at speed. Use a qualified installer and follow the instructions supplied with the parts.