Tech | February 16, 2009 | 17 comments

"Car Skins" claim 25% improvement in fuel efficiency

source: http://www.maxgladwell.com/2009/01/coefficient-fastskinz/?awcom-0209

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commandercool
FastSkinz vinyl car wraps have dimples that reduce drag and wind resistance (think golf balls). Exactly how much gas can be saved is yet to be determined, but the company claims an improvement of up to 25% is possible.

More at link.
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17 comments // "Car Skins" claim 25% improvement in fuel efficiency

  • Erwinosticism
    • 0
      Erwinosticism  

    • My gut reaction is that this is pure BS. This sounds like a product that will be sold during late night infomercials.

      Assuming that it's not a total scam,the manufacturer admits the skin has to be kept clean for it to work, and that pollen trapped in the bubbles rendered them useless. They also admit that the skin's benefits apply mainly to higher speed freeway driving. Stop and go city driving, doesn't reap the same benefits.

      But I'm not even willing to acknowledge that this whole concept is valid. Until an independent source conducts a verifiable controlled test, this is just a clever marketing campaign.

    • 3 years ago
  • retran
    • 0
      retran  
    • Erwinosticism:

      The percentage increase in gas mileage sounds way to good to be true. It instantly reminded me of all those gas additives they sell in pyramid schemes. Those products are not even legit enough to sell on infomercials.

    • 3 years ago
  • Ares
    • 0
      Ares  

    • I'm with you andyjoe, rotational velocity in a car is not quite the same as a flying golf ball, or football for that matter (also featuring dimples). Seems to me that vector velocity would be, if anything, hindered by more interference.

      Neat idea though.

    • 3 years ago
  • andyjoe
    • 0
      andyjoe  

    • This sounds like a wacky call on NPR's Car Talk.

      Cars don't spin in the air the way a golf ball does (unless something goes horribly wrong). Will the dimples have the same effect? Why don't jets, racecars, and every other object that needs to move efficently through the air already use this approach?

      This is a cute idea. I hope it works, but I'll have doubts until someone who doesn't have a stake in its success does some tests.

    • 3 years ago
  • retran
  • msltj20
  • sidedish
  • JasonCovich
    • 0
      JasonCovich  

    • Bishop that was some funny ass shit.
      They will be a bitch to keep clean.
      Imagine thousands of little mud puddles across your roof and hood.

    • 3 years ago
  • bishopobispo
  • covelogibbs
  • bishopobispo
  • darkhorsejim
    • 0
      darkhorsejim  

    • If it really works, cars could be assembled at the plant with this feature. Then we could drive around below par, scoring eco-points as we reduce our dependency on foreign oil.

    • 3 years ago
  • drewsuf721
  • kcfoxie
    • 0
      kcfoxie  
    • drewsuf721:

      Safety and emissions.

      Why are 2009 Model VW TDIs seeing less than 50/highway? Because of emissions and the heavier/safer vehicles. My 84 190D could get 48-50 if you were running 55mph... my 2006 Jetta gets 51mpg at 60mph...

      2009... 47... if fortunate...

      Diesels generally get better economy anyway. Love the efficiency of the diesel.

    • 3 years ago
  • advertisehere
  • msltj20
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