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Wax on, wax off - equals better fuel economy?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by thbjr, Dec 13, 2009.

  1. thbjr

    thbjr Member

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    I just got done waxing our Blue Ribbon Prius II. We all know how much easier the buffing towel glides across a freshly waxed surface versus a non waxed surface. So my question is, will waxing the car improve fuel economy?
    It seems to me that it would. I mean, if a towel slides over the waxed finish easier, wouldn't air flow over it easier also? Less drag = better mileage:confused:
     
    #1 thbjr, Dec 13, 2009
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Only under the most controlled conditions would you be able to measure something like that and quantify it. It looks better waxed/polished so regardless if it helps fuel efficiency or not, keep it up! :D
     
    #2 F8L, Dec 13, 2009
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    In theory, yes, although given the size of things, it may be miniscule. But hey, a waxed car always looks good.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Dec 13, 2009
  4. venom700

    venom700 Just call me Brian...

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    Playing devil's advocate...wouldn't any difference in coefficient of drag be negated but the extra weight of the wax on the car? Of course none of this would ever be significant ebough to be measured.
     
    #4 venom700, Dec 13, 2009
  5. LinuxGuyInVA

    LinuxGuyInVA New Member

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    I can't let this one slip... remember the Mythbusters "golf ball" car test? Just Google "mythbusters golf ball car" to find out the details. Bottom line: mpg for this (gas guzzler) went from 26 to 29 mpg when it was "dimpled".

    I have yet to see a Prius that looks like that :)
     
    #5 LinuxGuyInVA, Dec 13, 2009
  6. thbjr

    thbjr Member

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    Well, if you can believe what you read on the internet,(LOL), start reading here, and if you click the link in the artical 'a tip', here, it takes you to someone that expermented with a before wash and wax and after. The after run was 6% better fuel milage.
    Perhaps there is more than beauty to a good waxing/polishing.

    Rreguardless, the White Prius got a wash and wax this afternoon, too.
     
    #6 thbjr, Dec 13, 2009
  7. namasteflc

    namasteflc New Member

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    I've gotten away from waxing smooth surfaces(like my Prius 2010), i use a marine grade polish with teflon. I do use a coat of wax on the gelcoat of my old boats because their surfaces are no longer smooth. The wax is topped off with a coat of polish to give extra UV protection.
     
    #7 namasteflc, Dec 13, 2009
  8. Wes Tausend

    Wes Tausend Junior Member

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    ...

    Wouldn't adding wax to the car make it harder to stop? Like that wax they sometimes put on dance floors?

    The dynamic braking would have to carry an additional load. Seems like it could be dangerous in the winter when the road may also be slippery. Maybe OK in the summer, on dry roads.

    Just kidding.

    Wes

    ...
     
    #8 Wes Tausend, Dec 14, 2009
  9. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    When you consider the dimpled golf balls effect, I'd think that you'd want the front and sides of the vehicle to have a nice and smooth wax to get good laminar air flow where you have high pressure. But once you are near the peak of the roof and beyond and beyond the rear doors I'd think you'd want a rough finish. This would encourage turbulent air flow and help reduce the vacuum created in the car's wake.

    In any case the effect would be very small I would think.

    (This is all just a guess on my part. However, golf balls are different in the they spin and have no front and back)


    3PriusMike
     
    #9 3PriusMike, Dec 14, 2009
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You should watch the Mythbusters episode mentioned earlier. It was pretty neat. :)

    Video: Mythbusters Test Golf Ball Theory On Ford Taurus - The Car Connection
     
    #10 F8L, Dec 14, 2009
  11. a64pilot

    a64pilot Active Member

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    Waxing a small airplane will result in a small increase in cruise speed, so waxing a car should result in a small mileage increase
     
    #11 a64pilot, Dec 19, 2009
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