Wash & Wax experiment

[1993CivicVX]

Originally Posted by JoeBob

I seriously doubt that waxing a car is going to make a significant difference, mileagewise. That being said, it will make the car prettier, making you want to go for a nice, long drive down some pretty road to a place you really enjoy. You will be enjoying the ride, so you might drive just a bit slower than you normally do to and from work. Because the car is a little shinier than usual, you will have a smile on your face, and will be less subject to being pissed off by other drivers, lowering the level of anger on the highway, and helping others get better mileage themselves. Because of all this, that trip will probably get you a bit better mileage than usual, but it won't be strictly because of the wax....

haha, I really enjoyed this reply. EOC has a similar effect. Even if having the engine off only saves a small amount of gas if the engine was otherwise idling--because you are bothering to turn the engine off means you are going to be more conscious about saving gas--thus drive slower and glide longer.

[GasSavers_JoeBob]

Originally Posted by mjswan

Im not driving when I don't really need to, but I take long relaxing drives twice daily--on the way to work and on the way home. I agree, when the car is clean and shiny it is easier to relax and enjoy the ride. The good mileage is a by-product of that attitude.

You've got just about as much commute now as I had 10 years ago driving from Lancaster to City of Industry, and back again. Was driving a 5-liter 1985 Lincoln Continental at the time...a somewhat detuned version of your car...not getting near what you are getting...mostly got around 20-21mpg then...but that was going about 75 or so...always did just slightly better after a visit to the car wash...

[GasSavers_RoadWarrior]

People tend to go to the carwash when they're expecting a week of sunny fine weather, not when they're expecting a week of rainy, dirty weather.

[GasSavers_JoeBob]

Originally Posted by RoadWarrior

People tend to go to the carwash when they're expecting a week of sunny fine weather, not when they're expecting a week of rainy, dirty weather.

I've been washing both cars weekly for a couple months now. It's supposed to attract rain when you do that...so far no luck. (Maybe because the last time it threatened to rain, I bought new wiper blades...best way to ward off rain!)

[COMP]

Originally Posted by JoeBob

I've been washing both cars weekly for a couple months now. It's supposed to attract rain when you do that...so far no luck. (Maybe because the last time it threatened to rain, I bought new wiper blades...best way to ward off rain!)

wash wax wipers and rainx

[HondaTorneoSiR]

I always feel like the cars cut through the air better after an extensive wash and wax. Maybe it is just in my head but I would love to see some actual real data on this. A wind tunnel would be the most accurate way to see if it really works.

No matter what it cannot hurt.

-Nate

[flapdoodle]

Just a thought, maybe making a tape recording of the of the wind noise inside the car before and after washing would give us some insight.

[Hateful]

Data is best to ward off skeptics but I wouldn't totally discount how it feels to you when you're driving your own car.

[COMP]

let the kids throw mud at the car and log mpg h

[Ford Man]

Originally Posted by acetone marty

Funny you have this thread, I actually tried this the other day we are going on a long trip and the wifes ford focus hasnt been waxed for years it has a lot of road tar and old bugs on it the paint feels real rough. I have a 25 km test coarse on the hwy that i use when ever i make a FE mod so i tried it before i waxed and scangauge gave me an even 51 mpg which has been fairly consistent give or take 1/2 mpg, came home cut polished and waxed did another run got my highest reading ever at 52.9 mpg, so take it for what its worth not the best controlled test but seemed to me to make an improvement.

I'm glad to hear that all of the hard work is paying off in some way besides just looking nice and protecting the paint.