Importance of Aerodynamics

[landspeed]

My car is not exactly the best aerodynamically (although I have a grille block behind the grille, so some air does flow through), and a partial front undertray (starting from the front splitter and going 40cm back from there only), and some tiny rear wheel arch skirts (only about 6cm from the top of the arch).

I tried a new driving technique today - driving 10mph slower, over a short distance (a 26 mile round trip).

I got 64MPG (us), when normally I would get about 50mpg US - I can't believe the improvement (particularly as I had to do 4th gear accelerations rather than 5th gear ones, which reduces the efficiency of the engine anyway). I think this shows the importance of aero mods / aerodynamics, on any car

I think some aero mods are in order - although I'm off to NZ soon but I will use this knowledge when modding my next car!

[GeekGuyAndy]

What speed were you normally driving? If that is highway, than I wouldn't be too surprised. The difference from 75 to 65 is a lot bigger than say 55 to 45 though.

Business or pleasure? I took a month in NZ to travel around, it's amazing there.

[rh77]

By the way, do you have a car in mind???

[GasSavers_James]

I agree. I think on smaller cars it is huge, especially over 50mph.
I would like to try a tank at 55 or less on the highway on my vx and see how big a hit i am taking from my aerodynamics. The slowest i have done a tank is 62. All of my slow driving is done in the mountains, and on dirt roads, so i can't see any mpg increase.

New Zealand has a lot of cars imported directly from japan. when we were there for 3 months we bought a mazda 626 for 400$ and drove for a while before we discovered it was much more fun just to hitchhike.

[GeekGuyAndy]

James, except for those rainy days when no one wants to pick you up! I had 2 days on no luck with hitchhiking

[landspeed]

I actually took my average speed from 35mph down to 25mph, to get that change I suppose it shows how bad the aero on my car really is (the MPG doesn't drop off so severely at higher speeds (e.g. up to 60mph) as you would expect - because the engine is used more efficiently at these speeds which (only partially) makes up for the increased aerodynamics.

I'm going to NZ for my job - assuming I can get the visa sorted. I'm not sure of what car yet - big cars are cheaper than little Micras, so it really depends on what is around when I arrive. It will be Japanese, and most likely a Nissan.