Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > EcoModding Central
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 11-12-2020, 10:23 AM   #1 (permalink)
Long time lurker
 
AeroMcAeroFace's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Uk
Posts: 218
Thanks: 110
Thanked 153 Times in 119 Posts
Tire alignment

How much difference to fuel economy, or range/top speed if we discuss solar cars, does tyre alignment make? I know the new mercedes F1 car has alignment that changes on the straights. If you were able to get all four wheels pointing in exactly the same direction, how much difference does that make compared to the tiny toe out/toe in that is usually specified?

Has anyone here used different alignment for better economy?

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 11-12-2020, 10:34 AM   #2 (permalink)
Somewhat crazed
 
Piotrsko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: 1826 miles WSW of Normal
Posts: 4,037
Thanks: 461
Thanked 1,099 Times in 970 Posts
Toe is compensating for flex in the system. I believe you need more at higher speeds, but I don't profess to be an expert and I am unsure how you could measure the flex at speed. I do know if you stiffen up the system you need less.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2020, 12:03 PM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Ecky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 5,004

ND Miata - '15 Mazda MX-5 Special Package
90 day: 42.54 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2,865
Thanked 2,499 Times in 1,546 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piotrsko View Post
Toe is compensating for flex in the system. I believe you need more at higher speeds, but I don't profess to be an expert and I am unsure how you could measure the flex at speed. I do know if you stiffen up the system you need less.
This is my understanding as well. Front tires have slight toe in at rest because they move out at speed.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2020, 01:00 PM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
freebeard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: northwest of normal
Posts: 27,547
Thanks: 7,731
Thanked 8,546 Times in 7,035 Posts
The complete package would be caster, camber and toe.

Toe has been covered.* Caster has to do with self centering, witness a Top Fuel dragster — if you don't hold the wheel at low speeds the front wheels will just flop over.

Camber is related to body roll. Drift racers run extreme negative camber.


*Now that I think on it, toe also relates to turn-in. It's generally all about vehicle dynamics.
__________________
.
.
Without freedom of speech we wouldn't know who all the idiots are. -- anonymous poster

____________________

I love the smell of irony in the morning -- Elon Musk
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2020, 09:29 AM   #5 (permalink)
Tire Geek
 
CapriRacer's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Let's just say I'm in the US
Posts: 794
Thanks: 4
Thanked 388 Times in 237 Posts
Here's a link to an old paper (1978) That attempts to answer the question.


https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/...s=12&ZyEntry=1
__________________
CapriRacer

Visit my website: www.BarrysTireTech.com
New Content every month!
  Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to CapriRacer For This Useful Post:
aerohead (11-13-2020), AeroMcAeroFace (11-14-2020), Ecky (11-14-2020), Joggernot (11-16-2020), roosterk0031 (11-13-2020)
Old 11-13-2020, 11:42 PM   #6 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Russellville, KY
Posts: 120

Little Blue Fuel Sipper - '16 Nissan Versa SV Sedan
Team Nissan
90 day: 45.75 mpg (US)
Thanks: 5
Thanked 36 Times in 27 Posts
I had to put new tie rod ends on one of my cars last spring. I reset the toe in using a string line. I only gave it about 1/8" total toe in. I don't know what the specs are but I'm getting great tire wear on the new tires with about 10K miles on them. The car holds a straight line when letting go of the wheel at highway speed. The tires were replaced at about the same and I did see an increase in gas mileage. I don't know whether the increase was related to the tire rolling resistance, alignment or a combination of the two.
__________________

  Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2020, 03:44 PM   #7 (permalink)
Long time lurker
 
AeroMcAeroFace's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Uk
Posts: 218
Thanks: 110
Thanked 153 Times in 119 Posts
Thanks everyone who replied, especially Capriracer, that is exactly what I am looking for, I will have a read. So if the tyres are toed in at rest but become parallel when driving due to flex that makes sense. But that would also suggest that harder bushings would need different toe in? 2016 Versa, as long as the toe in/out are equal on both sides the car will go in a straight line, but tread squirm means new tyres are usually worse for gas mileage.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2020, 09:57 AM   #8 (permalink)
Somewhat crazed
 
Piotrsko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: 1826 miles WSW of Normal
Posts: 4,037
Thanks: 461
Thanked 1,099 Times in 970 Posts
Harder bushings will lessen toe in, however most people abhor having to consciously correct the cars wander these bushings provide. 90% of america cant drive a full blown race car.

  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Piotrsko For This Useful Post:
freebeard (11-16-2020)
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com