Tool for visualizing aero vs rolling resistance

[MetroMPG]

same formulas, brick? care to share?

fyi, for anyone not following the mirrors thread, i just wanted to post some links that basjoos added today. i had a quick look, and these PDFs look like they have some solid, practical aero info we can all benefit from:

Originally Posted by basjoos

According the the following article, the rear view mirrors contribute 3% to 6% of the total vehicle drag.

http://www.tfd.chalmers.se/~lelo/rvad/reports/rva2002_gr11_contribution-to-drag.pdf

The following article also has a lot of basic information about drag reduction in cars.

http://www.tfd.chalmers.se/~lelo/rvad/reports/rva2002_gr10_drag-reducing.pdf

.

as for the web page calculator, i haven't finished tweaking. i'll try to get it a bit more polished soon.

[JanGeo]

Hey anyone heard of these airtabs www.airtab.com seems they breakup the vortex behind a non-aero body shape - might work for my xB for only $2.50 each and 3 per foot . . . . my bad not airtabS

[SVOboy]

That domain is for sale, bad link mehbe?

[rh77]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

at that time my "PC" was a Commodore 64

I've got ya beat. First computer: Commodore VIC-20. 5K bytes of RAM, no hard-drive, only a cassette tape to store data. And it plugged right into the TV set!

Had to chime in...

RH77

[rh77]

Originally Posted by JanGeo

Hey anyone heard of these airtabs www.airtabs.com seems they breakup the vortex behind a non-aero body shape - might work for my xB for only $2.50 each and 3 per foot . . . .

The Mistubishi Evo IX uses "Vortex Generators" to help with this sort of airflow to maximize spoiler usage. It could also help with square-backed vehicles:



RH77

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by rh77

The Mistubishi Evo IX uses "Vortex Generators" to help with this sort of airflow to maximize spoiler usage. It could also help with square-backed vehicles:



RH77

the cool thing about this design is that it will also help keep people off the beach if you want it all to yourself.

[n0rt0npr0]

Originally Posted by rh77

The Mistubishi Evo IX uses "Vortex Generators" to help with this sort of airflow to maximize spoiler usage. It could also help with square-backed vehicles:




RH77

I seen these! Think they would help my square backed car?? Would the airtab have the same effect?

[rh77]

Originally Posted by n0rt0npr0

I seen these! Think they would help my square backed car?? Would the airtab have the same effect

From what I know about aerodynamics (and what I saw on "Mythbusters"), the vortex generators could create a "pillow of air" between your back glass and trunk lip. This way, the air could potentially ride over the vortex creating less drag -- in theory.

RH77

[rh77]

Originally Posted by Matt Timion

the cool thing about this design is that it will also help keep people off the beach if you want it all to yourself.

Dun-nuh...dun-nuh...dun-nuh Jaws IV!

or from early SNL:

Knock, Knock...Land Shark...

RH77

[MetroMPG]

if you want more technical info straight from the horse's mouth:

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/about_us/technology/review/e/pdf/2004/16E_03.pdf