View Single Post
Old 04-28-2012, 01:31 AM   #17 (permalink)
hawk2100n
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 105

The 'Vic - '96 Honda Civic DX
Team Honda
90 day: 39.3 mpg (US)
Thanks: 6
Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by California98Civic View Post
Wait. "Cd" is coefficient of drag. "Frontal area" is the total area of the car as "seen" by the wind. "CdA" is the product of the coefficient of drag times the frontal area. That's correct, right?

A mod can increase frontal area and yet decrease total drag (CdA) if it reduces the coefficient of drag. An example is a really large and low airdam, as in this thread.

(EPA calculates frontal area only to include the area minus the wheels and mirrors, but including any protruding suspension and such.)

This is correct, yes?
Yes. You are correct. The only number that is really meaningful is the CdA. Increasing the A could decrease Cd significantly in the correct setup. And CdA allows you to compare cars (or aircraft where I learned this stuff) of different models directly.
__________________


Civic Build Thread
Your grammar is appreciated.

3.788 Civic CX final drive, air dam, 1st gen HCH 14" wheels and Michelin Defender 175/65R14 LRR tires
  Reply With Quote