07-11-2015, 05:52 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Oakland, CA
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Clean vs Dirty Car / Much difference?
Hi, everyone!
Recently got 54.62mpg on a 746 roundtrip drive from Oakland to LA with a dirty car.
How much better would my MPG improve with a clean car?
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07-11-2015, 07:22 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Not bad for a machine
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Baltimore
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in Gran Turismo you get +2MPH top speed!
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07-11-2015, 08:03 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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How much would your MPG improve...???
Zero... Zip... Nada...
>
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07-11-2015, 08:10 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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Location: Oakland, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dirtydave
in Gran Turismo you get +2MPH top speed!
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Hmmm. Can you play Gran Turismo to practice your hypermiling skills?  |
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07-11-2015, 11:50 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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I have wondered if there is a difference in fuel economy between a well waxed (slippery surface) car and a dirty car. I would presume there to be a difference but real life aerodynamics sometimes doesn't do as one would think.
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07-12-2015, 12:44 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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Moderator
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePrudentNinja
I have wondered if there is a difference in fuel economy between a well waxed (slippery surface) car and a dirty car. I would presume there to be a difference but real life aerodynamics sometimes doesn't do as one would think.
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According to Gary Eaker, who runs the A2 wind tunnel, no:
"Wax: Contrary to what you may read on your favorite message board, well-waxed, smooth paint is no more aerodynamic than the worst spray-can, flat-black primer job you can imagine." |
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07-12-2015, 01:50 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Not Doug
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"You painted that yourself?"
"You can tell?"
"Only because it looks absolutely atrocious."
"It is just as aerodynamic as a professional paint job!"
"Just as... aerodynamic? All that you cared about was it being aerodynamic?"
"Hey, it will not rust, either!"
"It would look better if it did!"
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07-12-2015, 07:59 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I generally keep my cars clean and waxed, unless like the Sentra, the paint job was trashed. There is so much wax on the Mirage, rain actually cleans the outside. Rain-X on all exterior windows keeps them as well as rendering the windshield wipers virtually useless.
Better mileage?
Probably not.
regards
mech
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07-12-2015, 11:56 AM
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#9 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Aircraft benefit from flush-headed rivets, as seen in the movie Aviator, but they operate in laminar flow. Cars are in a turbulent flow at ground level.
Gloss paint and wax addressed limitations in the material. Modern paints can be impermeable and still have a satin or flat finish.
I watched a Youtube video on car detailing, where they suggested Carnuba wax on the glass instead of Rain-X. Thoughts?
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07-12-2015, 03:45 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Back in my automotive detailing days in 1984 we put the same wax on the windows and chrome as we did the rest of the paint.
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