Quote:
Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes
I assume the speed that aero matters depends on whether you're talking about drag or lift/downforce, right?
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That might be an important part of the "seat of the pants" experience most likely responsible for someone's off-hand comment claiming 60mph is where aerodynamics takes affect.
On the aerodynamic experiments I conducted on my S10 pickup truck, some of the modifications could be felt starting in the 30-35 mph range.
This is the same range as feeling "a push" on my hand sticking out the window.
Below 30 mph hand out the window is perhaps a breeze, but above 30-35 it feels more like a "force".
Again, just "seat of the pants" subjective jargon where my 30mph is someone else's 60mph before they take notice.
I have to agree that in this context the wind noise issue, that is the flow coming into the vehicle at 60mph getting someone's unwanted attention might be a common experience, common enough to allow the 60mph comment to gain traction.
I mean how many people do you see driving down the road with their hand out the window measuring aerodynamic force using their hand as a diving and or lifting plane? Myself and maybe a couple of curious children not glued to their cell phones or TV's built into the back of their parents headrests.