• Welcome to Elio Owners! Join today, registration is easy!

    You can register using your Google, Facebook, or Twitter account, just click here.

Wind Drag

Johnny Acree

Elio Addict
CD or DC is only part of the picture. I think it is CD times square inches of frontal area. and even that is only part of the hole MPG picture.
 

grampi

Elio Addict
CD or DC is only part of the picture. I think it is CD times square inches of frontal area. and even that is only part of the hole MPG picture.

Yep, vehicle aspects that most drastically effect MPGs are as follows (in order of importance):

Engine size and efficiency
Aerodynamics
Vehicle weight
 

goofyone

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Yep, vehicle aspects that most drastically effect MPGs are as follows (in order of importance):

Engine size and efficiency
Aerodynamics
Vehicle weight

You are missing one important piece of the puzzle which is friction between the tires and the road. Contact patch size, tread pattern, and tread compound are a very easily overlooked yet they do have a real world effect on MPG can make the difference between this vehicle getting 75 MPG and 80+ MPG on the highway.
 

grampi

Elio Addict
You are missing one important piece of the puzzle which is friction between the tires and the road. Contact patch size, tread pattern, and tread compound are a very easily overlooked yet they do have a real world effect on MPG can make the difference between this vehicle getting 75 MPG and 80+ MPG on the highway.

Good catch, and you're absolutely right...and in the Elio's case, considering how slick it will be aerodynamically, tire drag will be more of factor than many might think...
 
Top