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

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 01-02-2010, 04:25 AM   #1 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
mcrews's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,523

The Q Sold - '02 Infiniti Q45 Sport
90 day: 23.08 mpg (US)

blackie - '14 nissan altima sv
Thanks: 2,203
Thanked 663 Times in 478 Posts
Clear Wheel covers 02 Q45

I was at Home Depot looking at the lexan clear plastic. I think it is too thick/heavy for wheel covers....(but hey, whay do I know)

so I wandered over to the potted plant area.. Found somw 21" plastic saucer. you put it under a potted plant so the wate doesnt run off.
They were reg $4.68. they are now on clearance for $1.00. I bought 6.



Very thin material but clear!
I cut with sissors and used velcro white circles $1.00

Nice....can't see it!!!





your can see the ridges that run uot from the center:


  Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to mcrews For This Useful Post:
Cd (01-02-2010), Christ (01-10-2010), MobilOne (04-18-2016), Piwoslaw (03-05-2011), Rokeby (01-02-2010)
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 01-02-2010, 04:54 AM   #2 (permalink)
aero guerrilla
 
Piwoslaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 3,745

Svietlana II - '13 Peugeot 308SW e-HDI 6sp
90 day: 58.1 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,324
Thanked 749 Times in 476 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcrews View Post
Nice....can't see it!!!
Until they get dirty on the inside... But at $1 per wheel, who cares?
Very nice looking mcrews
I wonder how much of an effect those ridges will have? They are definately better aerodynamicaly than the normal spokes, and they add stiffness.
__________________
e·co·mod·ding: the art of turning vehicles into what they should be

What matters is where you're going, not how fast.

"... we humans tend to screw up everything that's good enough as it is...or everything that we're attracted to, we love to go and defile it." - Chris Cornell


[Old] Piwoslaw's Peugeot 307sw modding thread
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2010, 09:36 AM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Leadville, CO
Posts: 509

Maroon Ballon - '98 Chrysler Town & Country LXI
90 day: 26.42 mpg (US)

MaEsTRO - '95 Geo Metro 5spd hatch, 3 cyl
Thanks: 47
Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts
I'm interested to see if they stay attached to the wheel. Is the yellow I see in the pics part of your belly pan sneaking up into your wheel well?
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2010, 10:18 AM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
mcrews's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,523

The Q Sold - '02 Infiniti Q45 Sport
90 day: 23.08 mpg (US)

blackie - '14 nissan altima sv
Thanks: 2,203
Thanked 663 Times in 478 Posts
yes, guitarguy, that's the underpan. I have detailed out the under pan by closing up the the flat areas that attach at the wheel wells.

piwoslaw, EXACTLY my thought!
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2010, 11:56 AM   #5 (permalink)
Grasshopper
 
alohaspirit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 964

Makai - '01 Toyota Echo 4D Auto
90 day: 34.45 mpg (US)

New Galaxy - '07 Toyota Prius
90 day: 42.15 mpg (US)
Thanks: 25
Thanked 30 Times in 25 Posts
nice mod

keep us posted
__________________
Past Present Future?
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2010, 01:28 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 813
Thanks: 5
Thanked 34 Times in 26 Posts
When a little airflow gets under them, they will fly right off those little Velcro circles. I think you should add zip ties
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2010, 01:36 PM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Lancaster Ca
Posts: 362

Tank - '76 Chevy El Camino Classic
90 day: 25.89 mpg (US)

Sabrina - '91 Mercedes Benz 190 E
90 day: 37.07 mpg (US)

Angel - '88 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL
Last 3: 23.01 mpg (US)

Quicksilver - '04 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG Cabrio
Thanks: 52
Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by winkosmosis View Post
When a little airflow gets under them, they will fly right off those little Velcro circles. I think you should add zip ties
CLEAR zipties, or at least as close as you can get to clear

and you actually can clean them just reach around with the hose and spray from the inside of the rim. actually doesn't look half bad on there
__________________


Tank:
(No actual EPA numbers for car just used F/E numbers when i first got it)
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2010, 02:00 PM   #8 (permalink)
Pokémoderator
 
cfg83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,864

1999 Saturn SW2 - '99 Saturn SW2 Wagon
Team Saturn
90 day: 40.49 mpg (US)
Thanks: 439
Thanked 532 Times in 358 Posts
mcrews -

Ha ha, I have those *exact* ones lying around for the same purpose, but I wasn't clever enough to figure out your attachment solution. I like the idea of getting 21" and trimming down to size. I always look for "close to spec" sizes, which might make things harder for me.

When I tested it on my wheel, it "warped" because of the slight bow to my wheel. It looks like you are "flattish" from center to edge. Did you notice warping or is it flat like I surmise?

There are 10 "spokes" in the plastic, but you have 8 spokes. This implies to me that a wheel with 5 or 10 spokes would have even better "installation symmetry".

Great Job! I am looking forward to your updates.

CarloSW2
__________________

What's your EPA MPG? Go Here and find out!
American Solar Energy Society
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2010, 02:06 PM   #9 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
mcrews's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,523

The Q Sold - '02 Infiniti Q45 Sport
90 day: 23.08 mpg (US)

blackie - '14 nissan altima sv
Thanks: 2,203
Thanked 663 Times in 478 Posts
Yeah it maybe an exercize in futility. I REALLY didn't want to stick those dots on the alloy wheel...........aaarrrrggggggghhhhhh. (i do know I can get the adhesive off if I need too)

I have actually bought several 'walmart poster frames' again.......to test that material.

carloSW2, I know....I really could not resist.
They are SOOOO flimsy that a zip tie will actually crimp the plastic.
I thought about putting something at the very center of the hubcap....like a presciption bottle (cut it 1 inch) to push the center of the plastic out. At least gaining the 'slight curve' that we are trying to maximize.

as you can see, the edge of the alloy wheel offers absolutely no mounting point.

Last edited by mcrews; 01-02-2010 at 02:14 PM..
  Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2010, 02:07 PM   #10 (permalink)
Pokémoderator
 
cfg83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,864

1999 Saturn SW2 - '99 Saturn SW2 Wagon
Team Saturn
90 day: 40.49 mpg (US)
Thanks: 439
Thanked 532 Times in 358 Posts
winkosmosis -

Quote:
Originally Posted by winkosmosis View Post
When a little airflow gets under them, they will fly right off those little Velcro circles. I think you should add zip ties
Maybe yes, maybe no. Luxbg used velcro on his wheel covers, and didn't have any issues :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...cro-10320.html


But the above are flush, so maybe there is less of an airflow issue. For $1 a wheel, at least mcrews can afford to lose one in the name of science, . I think it's a worthy test, because zipties make it harder to get at the valve stem without cutting a hole.

CarloSW2

__________________

What's your EPA MPG? Go Here and find out!
American Solar Energy Society
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Alternative to wheel spats and smooth wheel covers? ESmooth Aerodynamics 17 12-10-2013 09:26 AM
Clear Aero Wheel Covers; MBenz Does It First Rokeby Aerodynamics 34 11-27-2010 11:12 AM
OEM Near-Aero Wheel Covers Rokeby Aerodynamics 15 10-21-2009 12:37 PM
Cheap-o Smooth Wheel Covers bennelson Aerodynamics 40 03-16-2009 12:55 AM
My introduction to hypermiling the Smart Ptero Hypermiling / EcoDriver's Ed 12 10-28-2008 08:32 PM



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