The [part of the] road less travelled: car economy gains by ridge-riding in the dry?

[LeanBurn]

On the road I drive the grooves are made by large trucks and the roads are in awesome shape. The grooves are double tire wide which allows for a bit more freedom. In the wet I ridge ride. I can tell a difference for sure when I ride in the grooves. Its quieter and smoother. It is also an inch or so lower than the ridges.

Would not this effect be like lowering the car the equivalent amount as the chassis is actually closer to the ground?

[ShinyMew]

Originally Posted by LeanBurn

On the road I drive the grooves are made by large trucks and the roads are in awesome shape. The grooves are double tire wide which allows for a bit more freedom. In the wet I ridge ride. I can tell a difference for sure when I ride in the grooves. Its quieter and smoother. It is also an inch or so lower than the ridges.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I always thought the idea of ridge-riding, as it applies to wet weather, is to drive along the ridges and thus outside the grooves where water pools and creates extra drag?

[LeanBurn]

Yep. That is what I said. In the wet I ridge ride, in the dry I groove ride.

[redpoint5]

Seems like something better tested than speculated on. Anyone for some ABA?