I Want Warmer Bearings!

[Arminius]

I hate what the cold does to my car's FE. I also hate having to wait until spring to get above 40 mpg. I've done a lot to increase my car's efficiency, but now it's time to think at a higher level and think of new ways to break the efficiency barrier (or should I say "inefficiency barrier"?).

I've done some aero mods, and some mods to make the components in the engine chamber warmer. There are four parts, however, that need to be dealt with on any vehicle with four wheels, whether it be gas or electric: THE BEARINGS.

The two aspects I'm thinking of are managing are 1) the creation of heat and 2) the retention of heat.

Ideas for the creation of heat on the bearings:
1. Parking the car where it will be warmer (e.g., garage or in the sun).

2. Having black hubs to capture the heat of the sun.

3. Somehow directing engine chamber heat to the front wheels.

Ideas for ways of retaining the heat on the bearings:
1. Improved insulation of the wheels in ways that do not jeopardize the safe operation of any of the parts of the wheel or brakes (that will be tough).

2. ???

This is a modest start. Does anyone have anything to add? I want some outside-the-box types of ideas.

[Daox]

Repacking the bearings with a synthetic grease should help at lower temperatures. I could definitely notice a difference in colder temps when I replaced my transmission oil with synthetic during warm up.

[Tango Charlie]

This is a very good idea, Arminius. However, it is fraught with difficult obstacles. You don't want TOO much heat, or the grease is going to liquefy and drip out of the bearings. You would need sensors to monitor how warm the hubs and bearings are.
Sitting still, the hubs and wheels are going to be huge heat sinks, wicking the heat out of where you want it. Your idea of insulation would help. But how do you do that? Once rolling down the road, not much heat is going to be needed, as friction will keep them up to temp as usual.
I'm thinking some kind of resistance wire element wrapped around the bearing area, PWM controlled with a temp sensor on each hub. If you don't overdo it, the gains of warmer bearings may outweigh the induced alternator load.
Oh, and it should be able to plug into an outlet while in the garage, as well as be self-powered going down the road.
Your first version will most likely not be ideal, but I think it's very worthy ecomodding territory! Do it!

[ZeroFuel]

Check out this site.

Ceramic Bearings :: Ceramic Balls and Hybrid Bearings :: Boca Bearings

[Ryland]

Some vehicles use to run oil instead of greese this requires better seals and more attention to the bearings but they last longer and have less friction, there are some slick oils and greeses out there for bicycles as well, truble is the thiner you get the better your seals need to be.

[basjoos]

Since my car is completely underbody paneled, I vent most of my radiator exhaust air out through my front wheel wells, where it would warm up the front wheel bearings (and also melt any snow accumulating inside the front wheel wells and on my wheel well skirt rollers in the winter).

[Frank Lee]

I run my rear bearings in oil. Nothing special about the seals.

[Shawn D.]

Originally Posted by Arminius

2. Having black hubs to capture the heat of the sun.

Black hubs would work opposite to your intent. They'd radiate more heat, making the bearings cooler.

[Frank Lee]

Not from ambient!

[Shawn D.]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Not from ambient!

Duh. It should have been obvious I was talking about in-operation temps.