Window trim hurting aerodynamics? And a solution for my rear doors.
 

I am wondering if the uneven windows and rubber seals on my car reduce my aerodynamics?

Around each window is the rubber edging that sticks out approx. half a centimeter. does this effect my aero, or should I attempt to cover them similar to basjoosing?

I am thinking of taking the front passenger seat out (for access to the rear seats), then duct-taping plexiglass over the entire rear doors so that the surface will be completely smooth...

Would this be worth all the trouble? I'm thinking it might be better to just put clear tape over the door handles, and open the doors from the inside all the time. I could also remove the ventvisors on the rear doors, and then use black duct tape to hold a piece of plexi over the window to make it flush?

I guess I'm just really bored and pretty disappointed that I am only getting 20 mpg out of Ford's most aerodynamic sedan.

Sean T. -

I think it effects it, but it's hard to quantify. For windows, at least you should be able to do some tuft testing. One one

I was thinking of trying to cover my door handles so that only a "finger-hole" exists to pull open the door :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...5&d=1222309472

There would still be a bulge and a much smaller hole, but a smooth cover should make it a little better (right?!?!?!?)

I just found a picture of your Taurus :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...4&d=1222309350

At first I liked your door handles better than mine, but now I see that the whole thing kind of bulges out a little but. But at least the design is flat. Is the handle plastic or metal? If it's metal, you may have a rear-earth magnet neodymium option for installing removable-door-handle covers.

CarloSW2

As opposed to fore-earth magnets? :D
Sorry to nit-pick, but that just struck me as funny.

I like the finger-hole idea, cfg83.

finger hole is a good idea... thought of that myself, but when you stick your finger in and pull the handle, it would be stuck under the covering...

and what is a "rear-earth" magnet?

The handles are plastic, but the door is metal (haha!)

Tango Charlie and Sean T. -

Ha ha, I meant rare-earth magnet.

The rear-earth magnet is something you attach to semis so that you can latch on for free MPG, ;) .

I will try to remember to practice opening my door with one finger to see how hard it is.

CarloSW2

maybe I should have worded my post differently... when you pull the handle, it pulls out away from the car, so how will you be able to pull it without pulling the covering material out away from the car?

and why a rare earth magnet? do they come in flexible pieces?

Hi,

I'm pretty sure that non-flush window glass hurts your Cd -- I'm just not sure how to try an fix it in a way that still lets you roll down the windows?

They're extra strong. They ain't your grandma's refrigerator magnets. Think magnet on steroids.

so i see we have more than 1 basjoo