Aerodynamic mod

[chumly]

I was sitting in my garage today, looking at the front of the smart and noticed that I had an old clear plexi bug shield by the wall. I took it and trimmed it to fit over the lower grill flush with the body and attached it with duct tape, blocking the radiator a little and covering the fog lights. Just this alone made my mileage JUMP up, at 50 mph when I normally get about 38 to 40 uphill, I was getting about 44 to 46 mpg. It makes a bigger difference at 55 to 60 mph. At 70 mph I was getting 43 mpg where I was getting about 38 to 40 mpg. This works really well but I'm keeping a close eye on the water temp so far no problem. OAT 71 water temp 188-190. Now I am thinking about shutters....... And before you ask ,I don't have a camera so no pic's. Chumly

[jwight]

Take a look at the Ford Focus and its 40 mpg version, the Focus with SFE package. The SFE package includes deleting fog lights and replacing them with a blank, as well as 16-inch steel wheels with aero wheel covers, active grille shutters and high-efficiency tires. This version of the Focus is EPA rated at 40 mpg highway, compared to the 2012 smart at 38 mpg.

[Kermit]

Do you happen to have any sort of flame retardant clothing? Be prepared. I can think of a few that are loading their flamethrowers as we speak.

I look forward to hearing how you're doing in a few tanks. I've done grill blocks on some of my other cars in the past.

[chumly]

I'd like to see someone else try this.As long as the temp can be monitored I see no problem except looks and that can be changed. Chumly

[jetfuel]

..cheap @$$..borrow one...

jetfuel...luvU2

[deepblueQ]

I wasn't aware the MPG gains were quite that big!

Seeing as my smart's cooling fan has only ever been needed once since I got the Scangauge and I've got a good coolant temp gauge in plain sight, I'll definitely have to try that. If the MPG gains are really anything close to that, then it should also be very nice on those headwind days I'm WOT just to maintain speed...

[chumly]

Try it yourself and let us know your results. Chumly (still working on pictures). Well, My wife finally was able to put a picture on facebook (smart car site). For some reason I couldn't upload the pics here.

[chumly]

Originally Posted by Kermit

Do you happen to have any sort of flame retardant clothing? Be prepared. I can think of a few that are loading their flamethrowers as we speak.

I look forward to hearing how you're doing in a few tanks. I've done grill blocks on some of my other cars in the past.

It wouldn't be the first time I got my rear end roasted and I doubt it will be the last. I just got back from a small trip, against the wind on the way down and a quartering tail wind on the way back and my average went up from 47.4 avg to 48.7 avg according to my scanguage. So far so good! Chumly

[Pee-wee German]

Good job. You just rediscovered "ground effect" with your "airdam" Lower pressure under the car / high pressure above the car (opposite of an airplane wing)
Bonneville salt flats racers have been doing it for years cause it works.

[deepblueQ]

Originally Posted by Pee-wee German

Good job. You just rediscovered "ground effect" with your "airdam" Lower pressure under the car / high pressure above the car (opposite of an airplane wing)
Bonneville salt flats racers have been doing it for years cause it works.

Sounds to me like all he did was block off the grill for lower drag...

An airdam like in that pic just is good for downforce, but a whole lot of its drag reduction effect is just because the undersides of cars often aren't very streamlined... however, smarts are streamlined there...