12-22-2011, 05:11 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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(:
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Stupid roof racks. Last time I saw one actually in use was 1978? (Kidding, but still) Deleting them off the millions of SUVs that never use them would save how much gas? I'm fairly sure a delete would be more effective than a tab.
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12-22-2011, 05:29 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kach22i
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The CFD analysis of the VG's on the Mitsu Evo in that document showed a 0.006 improvement in Cd.
If you have the specs for that car, you could plug them into the Aero & RR calculator ( Aerodynamic & rolling resistance, power & MPG calculator - EcoModder.com ) to estimate improvement in MPG. At 60 mph, it's probably just a fraction of one mpg though. |
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12-22-2011, 05:36 PM
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#13 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee
Stupid roof racks. Last time I saw one actually in use was 1978? (Kidding, but still) Deleting them off the millions of SUVs that never use them would save how much gas? I'm fairly sure a delete would be more effective than a tab.
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I agree, and that is why some car manufacturers are offering it as an option now.
Those who truly need it will certainly welcome the supposedly extra 1 MPG bump (pun intended).
My parents are actually leasing the 2012 Impreza Wagon and it has no roof racks.  |
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12-22-2011, 06:22 PM
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#14 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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crosswind
Quote:
Originally Posted by instarx
1 mpg? I find that hard to believe.
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Subaru might be eluding to a worse case scenario under crosswind.I believe that Ford Motor publishes a crosswind averaged Cd for yaw conditions up to 8-degrees.
GM-Volvo Heavy Truck Corp. published findings that a crosswind can knock an 18-wheelers mpg down by up to 12%.
1-mpg is a lot to claim.It's hard to know without being a fly on the wall. |
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12-22-2011, 06:46 PM
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#15 (permalink)
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A madman
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee
Last time I saw one actually in use was 1978? (Kidding, but still)
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I actually agree with you about removing them. |
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12-22-2011, 07:41 PM
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#16 (permalink)
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Pokémoderator
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brucey -
Quote:
Originally Posted by brucey
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I keep thinking there's a niche market for roof-rack covers that at least cover up the roof racks when they are not being used so that they are basically long aero-friendly "fins".
Ha ha, they could be chrome for a quasi-pseudo-retro bad taste look.
CarloSW2 |
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12-22-2011, 07:57 PM
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#17 (permalink)
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lurker's apprentice
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PlainJane - '12 Toyota Tacoma Base 4WD Access Cab 90 day: 20.98 mpg (US)
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You roof rack haters will love the "roof rack" on my wife's CRV. It's built into the roof itself. Nothing whatsoever sticks up unless you attach crossbars.
As to Subaru's claim of 1MPG improvement, I'm going to go with the 'rounding up' explanation. Subaru in my experience does not publish BS. Fluff maybe, BS not so much.
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12-22-2011, 08:20 PM
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#18 (permalink)
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A madman
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I really think most cars would be fine without any racks. And even then, make them an optional extra instead of more BS standard equipment.
I use mine though, regularly even. If only because it's available to me. I usually help people move for some beer money (or just straight up beer) so it's not worth it to me to take them off. It's quite a pain to do as well, having to remove the entire headliner and then I'm left with a hole in the roof.
Removing the crossbars no doubt helps MPG, but it really cuts down on wind noise!
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12-22-2011, 08:29 PM
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#19 (permalink)
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Pokémoderator
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wdb -
Quote:
Originally Posted by wdb
You roof rack haters will love the "roof rack" on my wife's CRV. It's built into the roof itself. Nothing whatsoever sticks up unless you attach crossbars.
As to Subaru's claim of 1MPG improvement, I'm going to go with the 'rounding up' explanation. Subaru in my experience does not publish BS. Fluff maybe, BS not so much.
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When I went to the car show they told me that the latest generation of Subies were heavily influenced by aerodynamics for MPG gains. You can see it where the end of the car meets the bumper, aka the sharp edge that's in the latest-gen Prius and Volt. They told me you could get "up to" 27/36 MPG for the Impreza, which I thought was pretty good for AWD. The "up to" requires the CVT tranny, but I think a manual could do better.
CarloSW2 |
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12-22-2011, 08:56 PM
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#20 (permalink)
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(:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cfg83
brucey -
I keep thinking there's a niche market for roof-rack covers that at least cover up the roof racks when they are not being used so that they are basically long aero-friendly "fins".
Ha ha, they could be chrome for a quasi-pseudo-retro bad taste look.
CarloSW2
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I'd like quick release or retract flush into the roof schemes... but delete would suit 99% of motorists better.
Moon Unit has a roof rack that I'll never use. I took the crossbars out anyway. I'm wondering how to deal with the holes if I remove the rest.
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