Scion xA aero mods

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I would try it with just one layer -- and yes duct tape gums up scissors very quickly.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

Now that the weather is turning colder, I've noticed that I have to drive a little slower to maintain (or come close to) the same FE that I was getting in warmer seasons. Has anybody else seen this?

So, aerodynamics are even more important in cool/cold weather! Warm up takes longer, and watching the SGII is critical -- habits need to be adjusted, I'm finding.

[Daox]

Oh yeah, winter will definitly take its toll on MPG. Expect to loose a fair amount.

I was only getting mid 40s last winter with the Paseo (vs high 50s this summer). I was still learning (and still am), so we'll see what happens this winter, but it will take a good hit I'm sure.

The good thing is that you can go a bit more crazy with the grill blocks etc since its so cold out. Also, definitly look into a block heater while its still relatively warm out, they really help warm up time.

[Funny]

Don't forget the Winter gas is in the pumps now, something else to account for in the cold weather. Oh yeah, and cold air is denser so it's harder to move through.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I've swapped over to full snow tires, and so I can use some smooth wheel covers (from Hubcap Mike's) on the steel wheels:

[whokilledthejams]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hi,

I've swapped over to full snow tires, and so I can use some smooth wheel covers (from Hubcap Mike's) on the steel wheels:

Nice!

Every car looks better with Moon discs or the equivalent.

Honestly, I can't say how much of a difference they make in terms of FE, but I originally bought them for the look anyway.

You still need to do some lowering-- it gives all the benefits of an air dam, without the frontal area penalty. As an added bonus, xA's look good lowered.

[Tercelerat0r]

This looks interesting, and would stick out like a sore thumb on White Wallace =(

I'm a teenager and i guess that helps feed the fact that I don't want to look like a complete fool driving down the road, oh well.

I'm gonna go for it anyways!!!
So far my list of near future eco-mods will be:
Belly Pan
Some form of air dam...the front of my car looks like crap as far as being aerodynamic goes, So I may take a lesson from Basjoos' Aerocivic and whip up a similar front.
Rear Wheel Skirts

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

So, what do I need to know about making my own fiberglass grill blocks and wheel covers, etc.? Where do I get supplies? I'm hoping to get finished mods to replace all my tape & Coroplast...

[basjoos]

Originally Posted by Tercelerat0r

This looks interesting, and would stick out like a sore thumb on White Wallace =(

I'm a teenager and i guess that helps feed the fact that I don't want to look like a complete fool driving down the road, oh well.

I'm gonna go for it anyways!!!
So far my list of near future eco-mods will be:
Belly Pan
Some form of air dam...the front of my car looks like crap as far as being aerodynamic goes, So I may take a lesson from Basjoos' Aerocivic and whip up a similar front.
Rear Wheel Skirts

If you have a smooth underside, you don't need an airdam. The airdam is just a bandaid to divert air away from an aerodynamically dirty underside, but it increases the car's frontal area. It also creates a low pressure zone under the car which increases downforce, but at the expense of added aero drag.

The ideal low drag car would have a lot of ground clearance so the air doesn't get constricted when passing under the car, as is the case with the Aptera, which has lots of ground clearance under its body. Ideally the body should be flying through the air like a low flying aircraft, not pushing through the air like a blister on the ground. The trick is getting the ground clearance without increasing the aero drag penalty from the taller wheels.

[Tercelerat0r]

My Car already Rides decently high off the ground, but the front is an absolute disaster. And the airflow under the car is most likely dirty seeing as the exhaust, suspension and all the other undercarriage parts are just hanging in the breeze