Wind Resistance Experiment for Scangauge owners

[JD10367]

Okay. I don't know if this will work or not, but... One of the drawbacks to the Smart is the wind buffeting. However, now that the weather's warming up and I can open one or both windows, it seems to me like the wind effect isn't as bad with the driver's window down, and with both windows down the wind buffeting is even more reduced. This makes sense since, instead of slamming into the windows and rocking the car off-course, the wind is passing right through the car. In my opinion it's a dramatic difference, and driving with both windows down on a windy day is a far less scary experience than doing it with the windows up.

However, I'm wondering what kind of an effect it has on gas mileage when you drive with one or both windows down. Since the Smart is shaped like a little brick, I'm thinking maybe not that much. My question is: would a Scangauge register this?

If so, an experiment you Scangauge owners can do, and give us the results: next time you're on a nice stretch of sparsely-traveled highway, on a nice day, maintain a speed (say, around 60MPH) and see what your Scangauge is telling you for MPG. Then, drop the driver's window all the way and see what happens to the Scangauge numbers, and then drop both windows all the way and see again what happens. I would be willing to trade, say, a few MPG for the pleasure of driving with one or both windows down and not being blown off course as much. (Of course, this only works if you also have your hat securely on your head, your long hair ponytailed, and no loose papers in the car to get sucked out the window, LOL...)

[Woody14619]

I'd wondered the same about the top on the Cabrio. I've tried to tell with my Cabrio and just using my tank estimates, but I can't leave the top down for more than a day or two without rain here in the NE.

[jimvw57]

I have heard that cars get the best milage with the windows rolled up. Pickup trucks use th tailgate to create a bubble in the bed and decrease wind turbulance. so a Cabrio may not get as good milage with the top down. Right now there is a huge cloud of dust covering most of the state. Dry conditions and farmers trying to get the fields prepped and planted isn't helping. I have noticed my Smart does a great job killing off the insect population.

[GiantKiller]

Originally Posted by Woody14619

I'd wondered the same about the top on the Cabrio. I've tried to tell with my Cabrio and just using my tank estimates, but I can't leave the top down for more than a day or two without rain here in the NE.

I love my Cabrio. But with top down you have to keep your foot down to maintain speeds, on hiway. More drag more fuel.

[JD10367]

Yes, I would think the Cab has more drag since with the top down you do get that "pickup with the tailgate up" effect. I'm wondering how it is with the Passion, though.

If there's a Cab owner, and Scangauge indicates the drag, that input would be useful too. Windows and top up; one window down; both windows down; top down but windows up; top down and one window down; top down and both windows down.

[Dave777]

JD10367, maybe it's time for you to spring for a ScanGauge for yourself?

[rcexplorer]

I purchased a Scangage II a few weeks ago for use in my rv. As I was under the dash of my Smart, I see it has the same quick connect as my rv and also suv. With all that said, the next nice day we have, I will put my Scangage in my Smart and will take the challange and pass along the results.

[jetfuel]

Originally Posted by JD10367

this only works if you also have your long hair ponytailed,

...well ..even with the scangauge that little requirement kind of eliminates half the community here on SCOA....

jetfuel

[geosynch]

I did this last year on my cabrio (top up and down). It'll give you an idea of what to expect for drag.

Click here for post.

I would expect the top up v. down will be a bigger effect than windows up v. down, but I would expect mileage to go down with windows down.

Best,

geosynch