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

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 02-18-2018, 02:21 PM   #1 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
mpg_numbers_guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,363

Toby - '13 Toyota Prius C
90 day: 64.01 mpg (US)

Daz - '15 Mazda 3 iTouring w/ Tech Package
90 day: 38.2 mpg (US)
Thanks: 321
Thanked 480 Times in 365 Posts
Duct tape wheel covers and other possible cheap alternatives

So I own this '04 Honda Civic EX that's fully stock except for the tires being inflated to 40 PSI from 32. Being an EX, it doesn't have steelies to nicely attack pizza pans or moon disc covers on. But considering the relative flatness of the alloys, and the width of the spokes, would covering the wheels with black duct tape provide the same benefit as flat wheel covers to make it worth doing? Or would it have no benefit? Attached is a photo of the car currently and what it would look like if I were to implement this.

Also, something I came across on another thread: would insurance likely go up by implementing this, under the categorization of "modified wheel"?

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_7016.jpg
Views:	162
Size:	77.6 KB
ID:	23537   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_7016 - Copy.jpg
Views:	173
Size:	75.5 KB
ID:	23538  
__________________
2013 Toyota Prius C 2 (my car)


2015 Mazda 3 iTouring Hatchback w/ Tech Package (wife's car)

Last edited by mpg_numbers_guy; 03-04-2018 at 05:00 PM..
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 02-18-2018, 03:16 PM   #2 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: KY
Posts: 1,346

IGL - '04 Saturn Ion
Team Saturn
90 day: 56.19 mpg (US)
Thanks: 63
Thanked 364 Times in 268 Posts
Yeah, duct tape will provide a smooth-ish surface to the passing air, so it’ll help... there are also ways to attach smooth covers to alloy wheels that would give a more secure hold than tape... that being said, I’m using strapping tape for most of my aeromods, not necessarily due to its strength but its cost ($0.00 to me)... just search the site for threads about moon discs and alloy wheels
__________________
My current Ecotec project...


My last Ecotec project...
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to 19bonestock88 For This Useful Post:
mpg_numbers_guy (02-18-2018)
Old 02-18-2018, 08:44 PM   #3 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Philippines
Posts: 2,173
Thanks: 1,739
Thanked 589 Times in 401 Posts
I duct taped rubber covers to mine, but they didn't hold so well. Wind kept blowing them off at highway speeds. Best bet, really, is to fabricate discs and ziptie them on.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to niky For This Useful Post:
mpg_numbers_guy (02-18-2018)
Old 02-18-2018, 09:09 PM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
mpg_numbers_guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,363

Toby - '13 Toyota Prius C
90 day: 64.01 mpg (US)

Daz - '15 Mazda 3 iTouring w/ Tech Package
90 day: 38.2 mpg (US)
Thanks: 321
Thanked 480 Times in 365 Posts
That's kinda what I'm considering doing now after further research. Black coroplast discs attached with zip ties and black duct tape to help keep them in position as well as provide a smoother airflow transition from the tire to the plastic. We'll see how it goes, unless I find a better idea before implementing it. This way seems cheap and good though, and can easily be reverted back to stock in a matter of minutes.
__________________
2013 Toyota Prius C 2 (my car)


2015 Mazda 3 iTouring Hatchback w/ Tech Package (wife's car)
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 09:25 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: KY
Posts: 1,346

IGL - '04 Saturn Ion
Team Saturn
90 day: 56.19 mpg (US)
Thanks: 63
Thanked 364 Times in 268 Posts
Something to consider: a lot of the newer GM cars(my Saturn included) used threaded lugs with plastic caps for holding the factory covers on... my Malibu was missing the covers but I pirated a set of the plastic lug nut caps and screwed my coroplast discs to those... they held fast even at 100mph...
__________________
My current Ecotec project...


My last Ecotec project...
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2018, 09:53 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
mpg_numbers_guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,363

Toby - '13 Toyota Prius C
90 day: 64.01 mpg (US)

Daz - '15 Mazda 3 iTouring w/ Tech Package
90 day: 38.2 mpg (US)
Thanks: 321
Thanked 480 Times in 365 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by 19bonestock88 View Post
Something to consider: a lot of the newer GM cars(my Saturn included) used threaded lugs with plastic caps for holding the factory covers on... my Malibu was missing the covers but I pirated a set of the plastic lug nut caps and screwed my coroplast discs to those... they held fast even at 100mph...
So are you saying use something like these and then screw the covers into them (after compatibility is verified)?
__________________
2013 Toyota Prius C 2 (my car)


2015 Mazda 3 iTouring Hatchback w/ Tech Package (wife's car)
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2018, 10:32 AM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: KY
Posts: 1,346

IGL - '04 Saturn Ion
Team Saturn
90 day: 56.19 mpg (US)
Thanks: 63
Thanked 364 Times in 268 Posts
Yeah, just grab the plastic covers that thread onto the lugs (and the lugs themselves)to screw your cover into... my advice-match compatibly online and then go to a junkyard and grab them... might get lucky or might have to buy the plastic covers new to screw your disc to...

Side note: make sure not only the thread size and pitch match, but also the lug seat shape... some are flat, some are conical, and some are hemispheric... I don’t know what would happen if you used non matching seats but can’t imagine it to be good
__________________
My current Ecotec project...


My last Ecotec project...
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2018, 04:58 PM   #8 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
mpg_numbers_guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,363

Toby - '13 Toyota Prius C
90 day: 64.01 mpg (US)

Daz - '15 Mazda 3 iTouring w/ Tech Package
90 day: 38.2 mpg (US)
Thanks: 321
Thanked 480 Times in 365 Posts
Another alternative I'm leaning toward for smooth wheel covers:

- 4 16" White coroplast (white to repell heat) discs attached with zip ties around each of the 5 spokes each of my wheels.
- Discs will have 0.5"-0.75" openings in between each spoke for air
ventilation so brakes don't overheat. Opening around air valve will be 1"-1.5" for ease of access.
- Holes to access each lug nut for easy wheel removal, covered with tape for aero yet will be easily removable.
- Caulk to fill in the holes within the coroplast and around edges of wheel to provide smooth transition from the tire to the wheel and possibly more stability (Not sure if caulk is a good idea, and if it is, if basic cheap caulk will work).

Any thoughts? Does this sound feasible? Total cost for all 4 wheels will be about $16.09 since I already have some caulk lying around I can use, so ROI will be only a few thousand miles. Will the small openings for brake ventilation prevent any increase in MPG?
__________________
2013 Toyota Prius C 2 (my car)


2015 Mazda 3 iTouring Hatchback w/ Tech Package (wife's car)
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2018, 05:43 PM   #9 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: KY
Posts: 1,346

IGL - '04 Saturn Ion
Team Saturn
90 day: 56.19 mpg (US)
Thanks: 63
Thanked 364 Times in 268 Posts
I don't know if the holes will prevent gains, per se, but if you're hypermiling your brake use would be minimal anyway so overheating isn't as big a concern, the brakes still get air from the backside anyway... You need to remember to make the discs a little bigger than your wheel size... I have 15" wheels and cut my discs 16" diameter and in reality you could go even a couple inches bigger...it'll just fill the gap between wheel edge and the bulge in the sidewall
__________________
My current Ecotec project...


My last Ecotec project...
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to 19bonestock88 For This Useful Post:
mpg_numbers_guy (03-04-2018)
Old 03-04-2018, 07:23 PM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
mpg_numbers_guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,363

Toby - '13 Toyota Prius C
90 day: 64.01 mpg (US)

Daz - '15 Mazda 3 iTouring w/ Tech Package
90 day: 38.2 mpg (US)
Thanks: 321
Thanked 480 Times in 365 Posts
I do brake significantly less than the average driver due to hypermiling, but there are still instances where I have to brake harder than I would like to - idiot drivers, a poorly timed light, etc. How much would be too much though? Coroplast seems to melt easily under heat (hence why I'm thinking white instead of black) so wouldn't having no openings pose a risk unless you literally didn't brake at all? I mean, I could do pizza pans, but those are heavier and aren't as flat.

Thanks for the tip on the size! Will definitely do that. At first I thought my wheels were 15" since that's what the factory ones were, and these are factory ones...but they measure 16".. What do you think of the caulk idea though?

__________________
2013 Toyota Prius C 2 (my car)


2015 Mazda 3 iTouring Hatchback w/ Tech Package (wife's car)
  Reply With Quote
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