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Old 08-10-2008, 07:26 PM   #8 (permalink)
monkey
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: albuquerque, nm
Posts: 6

Poopsie - '91 Nissan Sentra GXE
90 day: 47.06 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bearleener View Post
Definitely driving style tweaks will help the most.

Don't underestimate the effect of aerodynamics at low speeds. When I put on my above-bumper grill block I immediately noticed subjectively longer glide times at in-town speeds (60 km/h = 36 mph), whereas at highway speeds the drag effect was actually less noticeable (except that the car feels a lot more stable, less nervous). Even at very low speeds (25 km/h = 15 mph) something's happening because raindrops dripping off the front lip of the hood get blown back toward the windshield, that didn't happen before the grill block. A rule of thumb says that above 60-80 km/h (36 - 48 mph), depending on the car, aerodynamic drag becomes larger than other drag, but that means that below that it's still up to 50% of total drag.

And raising the tire pressure helps, too.
Wow, Im sold on areodynamic mods now.
Most of my daily commute (40 miles daily total)
is 40 to 50 mph. I need to get started on the front air dam,
and complete underbody pannel.
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