Spring loaded segmented air dam?
 

When I read about optimal air dam heights I cringe because of all the frost heaving around here. One spring I knew someone who would bottom out his DeLorean consistently. Anyhow, what if the air damn were made in sections, each with a hinge and a spring that allowed it to swivel up if a bump were encountered. I figure using flexible air dam materials it would be much harder to get the desired resistance level than using a spring. Also, segments mean replacing worn out sections would be easier. So, sanity check: does this idea have any obvious flaws? Thanks.

You could also make the air dam extend forward at an angle to get more of a ramp pushing air up effect I guess.

Hmmm...end on collisions wouldn't play nice with that as it swiveled up. Drat. Well, it would be ugly anyway!

Little wheels on the bottom might help with scraping, but it's probably overkill.

I haven't had much luck with my airdam. I extended it (probably too much) and saw no gain from it (there may have been a change but not much).

I recently trimmed it down because of scraping. I have heard that a belly pan would help more than an airdam. I was going to do that but the time involved kept me from doing it.

I've pretty much rejected a belly pan for difficulty reasons. That's one modification my mechanic actually thinks is worth doing. Maybe I'll take another look.

I had actually gotten a piece of coroplast to do it with. after looking at my car and how I was going to have to get my car in the air, I scrapped the idea. I don't have a lift or a friend with one. one of my friends is planning on getting one in a few years.

the material of choice around here is coroplast but one user used tub surround from lowes. I tought that was ingenious. he has a cavalier and his user name is phlease (I think). he is getting really good mileage. he is my hero (I have a few).

I did think about getting some jackstands but I am cheap.

Wow. That IS cheap.:) I'm just too lazy.

maybe lazy would be a better description. I do have two ramps made of plastic that I use to change oil.

I would really just be getting the jack stands to do the belly pan with. I never think about it when I am out and I don't want to make a special trip for them. I also have issues with paying 20-40 dollars (can't remember what they cost) to put on a $20 modification on my car.

How are those plastic ramps? I have some bright yellow metal ones. Have some plastic fore-ramps that help with lower clearance vehicles (got 'em for free - left behind by a former renter). I'm always nervous driving up those things.

Look at the front of most GM cars. Almost all of them have a vertical plastic "air dam" that's spring loaded like you're describing.