10-15-2016, 06:17 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Really hit home how big an impact aerodynamics has
Sorry for the long thread title, but I feel this best describes how I'm feeling after driving home with 8 tires, some backpacks and a laundry hamper in the back of my car today.
I drove around an hour to my folks' place and averaged ~90mpg at ~50mph. On the return trip, the hatch was about 80% open to fit everything, and even using every trick I knew, I pulled in at my house with ~54mpg on the display. That's a 40% hit on fuel economy. I was barely able to maintain 50mph in 5th gear on level ground, and I doubt my average speed was as high, as I was frequently dropping into 3rd and even 2nd to get up hills.
For comparison, even pulling my aero-trailer with over 1000lbs of cargo I was still able to get just under ~60mpg at a higher speed of 58-65mph.
I must say, this really motivates me to make a boat tail. If I can get as large an effect in the other direction...
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10-16-2016, 02:38 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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It's all about Diesel
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Meanwhile some rednecks are towing their ghost trailers in brick-shaped trucks, that load into such a tiny coupé actually impressed me more than the aerodynamics impact on fuel-efficiency.
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10-16-2016, 10:21 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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Administrator
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Haha, thats an awesome picture. You probably almost doubled your frontal area while also doubling your cd!
54 mpg is still pretty insane considering too. Well done.  |
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10-16-2016, 02:29 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Volvo-driving MachYeen
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my best is 47mpg empty, yet someone says 54 is BAD.
You sir, are on a entirely different level.
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life itself will be a f*ckup.
With Volvo to Valhalla and back! 
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10-16-2016, 02:40 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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What's that in the upper left corner, a house or a church?
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10-16-2016, 02:45 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freebeard
What's that in the upper left corner, a house or a church?
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It's a vineyard which also hosts weddings and such. |
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10-18-2016, 05:22 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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that poor little insight, that was like dragging a huge boat anchor. It is so aero to begin with. I doubt any other hatch would show this as dramatically.
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10-18-2016, 06:24 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Na, my Insight is very happy. This is a poor little Insight:
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10-18-2016, 06:42 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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No worries, State Farm has them covered.
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2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW 4x4 with 6MT
2003 TDI Beetle
2002 TDI Beetle
currently parked - 1996 Dodge 2500 Cummins Turbodiesel
Custom cab, auto, 3.55 gears
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10-19-2016, 01:04 AM
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#10 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyking
No worries, State Farm has them covered.
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Farmers already covered it;
January 3rd, 2001
(check the commercial)
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When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity.
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