Semi-moon disc.. :)

[Xringer]

I found some "Outdoor" duct tape at Lowes. Looking at the wrapper, it seemed
to be silver, like regular old duct tape..


check out the shorty mudflaps..


As you can see, it's really dark gray. Nowhere near the shiny silver I wanted..

Anyways, this tape job saves gas instantly! Without even starting the ICE!
My CRV is so ugly, the girls won't ride in it anymore! More gas savings!!

As for actual driving, this mod is going to be a real challenge to test.. If it works, I'll think about adding some little skirts on the back wheel wells. There is an awfully big opening just above the tires!

Maybe I should also cover over those holes in the 6 roof rack brackets.?.

Cheers,
Rich

[Daox]

I don't think it looks too bad. At least I've seen worse haha. Good for testing. Let us know how it works out.

[Tourigjm]

maybe extend the tape to the center of the hub for a smoother surface.

I wonder what kind of vortex that hole creates?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Tourigjm

maybe extend the tape to the center of the hub for a smoother surface.

I wonder what kind of vortex that hole creates?

The Renault Vesta-II had a single hole in their wheel covers,for brake cooling and valve stem access.A very practical solution and compromise.And at 146-mpg,had little impact on overall performance.

[Bror Jace]

Cool move Xringer!

Next step? Lose the roof rack.

[Xringer]

Originally Posted by Bror Jace

Cool move Xringer!

Next step? Lose the roof rack.

No way Jose! The rack gets a lot of use.. But, I am thinking about taping up
all those holes in the (6) brackets.



They are pretty flat on the back and not so bad on the outside either.
I think they could be taped down pretty easily.. Heck, I bet no one would even notice..

[cfg83]

Xringer -

I like them because I like asymmetry in design. They remind me of the old reel-to-reel computer tapes that you'd see in the NASA control rooms.

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

Xringer -

Originally Posted by Xringer

No way Jose! The rack gets a lot of use.. But, I am thinking about taping up
all those holes in the (6) brackets.

...

They are pretty flat on the back and not so bad on the outside either.
I think they could be taped down pretty easily.. Heck, I bet no one would even notice..

I would try to retrofit a removable cover that turns the rack into a streamlined "fin".

CarloSW2

[Bror Jace]

You USE the roof rack???

Wow, an SUV owner who uses his roof rack ... who woulda thunk it?

[Xringer]

Originally Posted by cfg83

Xringer -



I would try to retrofit a removable cover that turns the rack into a streamlined "fin".

CarloSW2

Wait a sec! This is starting to sound like a lot of work!!
I'll tape the holes up and lower my AM/FM antenna half way down,
but that's it for the roof area..

If I can't hit my goal of 35 highway, then I'm going to start thinking about
the underbelly. Maybe some cute little tire dams.

[Xringer]

Originally Posted by Bror Jace

You USE the roof rack???

Wow, an SUV owner who uses his roof rack ... who woulda thunk it?

I've got roof racks left over from the 60s in my garage attic.

How else can you get 4x8 plywood home from the lumber yard??
Or haul rugs from the discount shop to your kid's apartment?

Roof racks are the main reason not to buy a pickup truck..

[Bror Jace]

Xringer, you may be one in a million ... literally!

[Xringer]

I did a 200 mile round trip on the Mass pike today and noticed that
it was a little easier to hear my radio and tapes. Road noise has dropped!

I was in a bit of a hurry to get out there this AM, so I set the cc to 62
and only slowed down on hills that started dropping me below 20 MPG.
Outbound, I got 30.2 MPG. I noticed when going down good hills,
I could get up to around 70 MPH while getting 70 MPG..

On the way back, it was the Sunday afternoon rush hour.
I stayed in the right lane going 63 and only had a few cars
come up behind me and pass. But, in the other lanes, they were flying!

Had a light headwind on the way out (3 to 4 MPH) and the same tailwind coming back.
I got 31.8 MPG on the way back. (200 mile average 31 MPG).
And, there is about 12 miles of gas eating backstreets and red lights mixed in with that 200 mile roadtrip.

Since I was not able drive slow much at all, the mileage isn't
all that great. (I got 33 MPG highway in a test last week).
But, 31 MPG at highway speeds is pretty good the old CRV. Better than I expected.


I'm pleased with the reduction in noise.. I'm going to take that as a sign
that the tape is doing some good..