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Speedholes in your car do increase average mileage

@ 2009/10/23

The show's team completely covered a last-gen Ford Taurus with modelers clay and figured out that it would achieve about 26 mpg at a constant 65 mph. They then went about adding over 1,000 dimples to the car's exterior. To keep the experiment consistent, all 1,082 dimples removed from the clay exterior were put in a box and set in the back seat so that the car would weigh exactly the same as before dimpling. The theory is that, like a golf ball, the dimples would reduce the car's drag through the air, thus allowing it to travel the same distance at the same speed using less fuel. The result? Over 29 mpg.

Comment from Kougar @ 2009/10/25

I think you misunderstand how they conducted their test.

Higher mass - It takes more energy to get up to 60mph
Lower mass - It takes less energy to get up to 60mph

Their tests were conducted after already at 60mph.

Apply Newton's First law, not Einstein's E=MC^2 theory.

Regardless of weight, once at 60mph the fuel consumption stays the same... weight doesn't affect air resistance, only marginally tire friction. The greater the mass, the greater the inertia, therefore the less impact tire friction will have.

Comment from MENINBLK @ 2009/10/25

Kougar,

Have you forgotten your algebra ??

E=MC(squared)

If you increase mass, the energy require to travel at the same constant speed increases.
To ACCELERATE the additinoal mass also requires more energy.

The question is... if the additional energy required is significantly offset by the savings in fuel consumption byu reducing surface drag.

Comment from Kougar @ 2009/10/23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

(Without watching the episode) I wonder how many mpg they lost just by adding all of that modeling clay? =P

They measured mileage from the car already "at speed", so weight doesn't affect the mileage numbers.

The clay weighed almost 900lbs

Comment from jmke @ 2009/10/23

Without clay: 26 MPG
With clay: 26 MPG
With clay & dimples: 29 MPG

Comment from Oberon @ 2009/10/23

(Without watching the episode) I wonder how many mpg they lost just by adding all of that modeling clay? =P

Comment from jmke @ 2009/10/23

In black you won't notice it that much

Comment from The Senile Doctor @ 2009/10/23

and it looks stunning (-ly ugly)

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