A coworker of mine claims that he gets better MPGs after waxing the car. While this is reasonable it seems to me that the difference is most likely too little to tell. Anyone?
Dimples or surface roughness could reduce pressure drag if there's enough flow separation, but they can also increase drag due to surface friction. So it would depend on body style, but I'm guessing that most modern car designs would not benefit from a rough body surface. Maybe vans and hatchbacks could benefit from some dimples right before the rear hatch?quote:
Originally posted by Shannow:
I think it's the other way 'round.
A golf ball has dimples to affect the boundary layer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_balls), and provide less drag.
And his gauge probably is accurate to +/- 1 PSI.quote:
Originally posted by Jonny Z:
I am sure his tires are always on spec +/- .1 PSI.
Tell your coworker to wax his car in better ventilation, I think the fumes are getting to him.quote:
Originally posted by Jonny Z:
A coworker of mine claims that he gets better MPGs after waxing the car. While this is reasonable it seems to me that the difference is most likely too little to tell. Anyone?
yeah, and catch all the bugs and cops' radar.....sounds likely truckerlore to me.quote:
Originally posted by blupupher:
I had heard this also, but it was in reference to semi trucks. The truck with the freshest wax job (sometimes paid for by the other truckers) would get at the front of a convoy to break up the air.