It looks good. That's the main reason I wanted it. It's easy to install. I can't think of any cons.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1183&highlight=air+deflector+install

 

Reduces/eliminates rock chips in the hood lip. And like Truckin', it looks great!

 

They are ugly. IMHO

 

Yes looks are totally subjective. Personally I think they look stupid. Not as stupid as a bra, but still...

I guess it depends on the area you live and the quality of the roads. But I've never had problems with rock chips on the hood of any vehicle, including my RL.

Between the two, I'd vote no. But to each his own.

 

I bought mine primarily because I liked the look of it.

And I personally think that the hood as a rather long "leading edge" to it, compared to most, that I thought was going to be a magnet for chips via kicked-up road debris.

I cant really think of any cons if you dont think its ugly. Other than a possible paint-fading issue. You can clean behind it - but there is a peice that sticks to the hood, where I am sure over time will make the paint look different in that area, if not the whole length of the deflector.

 

I bought the Lund version because it didn't have the clips like the OEM had and the OEm was about twice the price of the Lund. I purchased it after a rock did $900 damage to the front of the hood. Wasn't a big ding but to repair it they had to take the whole front end (bumper, headlights) to fade the paint so it would match (they painted the entire hood and yu cant' tell the difference now). Glad I got it and should have done it before because the hood has a large frontal "rock magnet."

 

I debated about getting one, but in the end decided that it kinda ruins the look of the Ridge. And why protect that one strip of paint when the rest of the front of the vehicle is exposed.

But, if I did get one I would go with the OEM version. Fits the contours better.

 

I put the AVS version on our RL mostly as a bug deflector but in reality they neither deflect bugs or stones but I think they add to the looks of the Ridge.

 

i tailgate 18 wheelers and box trucks so i get good mpg, this helps deflect little stones the trucks throw out when your right behind them

 

I have the OEM and the reason is for the the harsh winters with all of the rock salt/antiskid that tends to fly up and give the hood a microdermabrasion (lol) over time.

 

I liked the looks. Thought the truck looked plain without it. Same reason as the roof rack -- I am never going to carry anything on top.

 

You put on a roof rack just for the looks? Wow...

 

I purchased the Lund as well for a couple of reasons, previous satisfaction with the product, price and because I didn't like the idea of gluing a support bracket to the center of my hood.

I got the dark smoke, so it disappears into my black hood. It does protect from most rock chips. I had a full bra on the truck for a cross country drivebut it didn't do the job and had to be removed when it got wet.. IMHO, these are a must for anyone who wants to keep their truck looking good.

 

I was behind a 18 wheeler in rush hour traffic that was moving at a good clip but no where to go once once of his tires blew out and the recap hit the center of my company car destroying the passenger fiberglass fender and passenger side of the fiberglass bumper. The hood was dented and the windshield cracked.

 

I also put on an AVS II bug deflector mainly to prevent stone chips on the hood leading edge. I've never had a bug deflector on another vehicle before.

I'm neither crazy about the look nor do I hate the look of the BD on the Ridge. But I figured for $50, it was worth it to protect the front edge of the hood.

 

I think there is a mythbusters episode about drafting semi's

 

that's one of those:

Drafting for MPG might be great
Consequences might be greater.

 

I had one on my tahoe and it caused my side mirrors to vibrate slightly. Then one day it shattered when closing the hood, no reciept no credit ,thus no deflector.

 

I had the same dilemma. Don't care much for the looks of deflectors in general but on the RL in undoubtedly looks better with the windscreen in person. Lots of friends have told me they like it too. The OEM unit has a nice burly appearance and mounting is robust. It definitely helps with bugs and rain. Verdict still out on rocks but in my gut I believe it does. Small improvement in mileage (maybe 1mpg) but I also have a roof rack. I only paid $75 for my OEM unit (from a fellow member) and $75/$3(per gallon) = 25 gallons, at an avg of 18 miles per gallon, I only have to drive 450 miles to break even.

 

PROS:
1) Protects the leading edge of the hood from rock chips which may develop into corrosion.
2) Allegedly may re-direct bug-laden air away from windshield (according to some wishful members).
3) Somewhat esthetically pleasing-aftermarket-modder-"hey look at my deflector" look which seems to impress most folk.

CONS:
1) Traps all kinds of dirt, sand, little pebbles and other crud that becomes lodged and sandwiched in between the deflector and the sheet metal causing rubbing and eventual abrasion which leads to corrosion; subsequently defeating the initial purpose of installing the darn thing in the first place.
2) Disintegrates into a million pieces when run thru an automatic brushless car wash in the middle of winter at around -30°F. It seems that the plastic molecules have a hard time catching up with enormous temperature differences in a relatively short period of time. Fun to watch with young ones inside the car....
3) May create turbulance around the side mirrors which results in vibration and a usual visit to the doctor for treatment into thinking you may have Parkinsons disease. (I understand that the Honda accessory deflector does not do this)
4) Dulls out after about a year of sunshine and salt spray making your ride look like the least maintained vehicle on the block.
5) A pain in the arse when removing heavy wet snow from your truck's hood as it tends to accumulate inside the "wedge" and deforms the deflector.

Any more questions?

 

Andy-Montreal, I love your reply. You've confirmed most of my fears and the reason I posted this question. That being said, anyone interested in a new OEM air deflector for an '06 through '09 RL? $60 plus shipping.

 

In the event someone is interested in the OEM deflector, I just thought I'd mention the following:
My experience with the OEM one doesnt pose any turbulence issues.
I live in New England but not in a heavily salted area, and havent had any salt-related fading. The face of one of the mounting screws needed a touch-up though - the black needed to be touched up - 10 min job with a rattle can.
My Bakflip has obvious sun fading but my deflector does not. And with a little maintenance (I dont clean it super-often) you dont have to worry so much about the sediment behind it, you can clean behind it, there is enough clearence for a sponge or cloth or whatever you detail with.
For the OEM one, there is a piece you have to stick to the hood will certainly lead to paint fading though.

As for the shattering - I can see something as thin as a deflector at -30f having a reaction like that in a drastic temp change. And as for the snow, yeah its a pain, just like the wiper cowl

 

Thanks r-squared. Didn't even think about the paint fading...makes a lot of sense.

I've been thinking of getting one to at least prevent the chips that seem to be following me on my last car now this one...(used ridge came with a couple of minor ones).

Thinking about getting the weathertech one since that company hasn't dissapointed me yet.

 

I have had our air deflector since April 2005 on our RTL/SR and it has protected the hood nicely. When the telephone bugs come out in spring and fall. I seem to have less bugs on the windshield. I still get some in the grill but nothing that cant be cleaned in a hurry.
The only problem I have had in a little over 4 years is the fact that one of the screws on the driver's side fell out and a replacement was very hard to come by, so I used super-glue and the deflector does not vibrate.

All in all it has been very functional. It was not put on there for looks, but for function.

 

OEM is best...... But this is my opinion... The down side is I wanted to paint match it but my buddies are telling me no matter what you do to it, it will chip and peel because of the type of plastic it is composed of...

I have had the OEM for over three years. It has held up in many automatic carwash tunnels.... The down side is in the winter it fills with ice from the engine heat melting the snow that gets compacted when using the snow broom.

I did have one issue and that the paint under the hood where the deflectors rubber gasket meets up with the top of the bumper cover has warn a bit... Touch up paint and keeping the hood closed took care of that...

 

No, it means you spent too much money

 

Congrats and not to pile on... but I couldn't have said it better. And that is saying something.

 

Do we all use every cubic inch of the ridgeline every day...every horse available under the hood for every single mile...every lb ft to tow...

Most of the truck serves no functional purpose for many of the miles that a good chunk of the world drives. Plenty inline 4 trucks that are just as reliable and have better mileage and reliabilty out there, and probably do better off road to boot.

Who really cares about opinions, if you like the deflector and it serves a purpose for you, put it on. Either way someone is going to judge you for it, on or off.

Where'd I put that damn soapbox

PS - look at the mount of the OEM unit, it is spaced from the hood and alleviates most of the concerns I've read here for what it's worth. No explosions, jet wash to the mirrors, or flocks of birds nesting under either

 

I have the OEM side protectors - I park in a tight lot so I wanted som serious protection, but I got them mostly because I like the look that came with the protection.

Oh no, have I started it all over again?

 

No you're fine, as long as you don't mention the words intake or exhaust.

 

Just noticed this today that the outer screws on each side on the Honda OEM bug deflector on my 07 RL have the black paint worn off them. I still prefer a bug deflector.