Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

[TNMom]

They have been doing a Mythbusters marathon for the past few days, and one of the episodes they proved that the clean car got better gas milage then a dirty car. I've been telling my husband that my car drives better because it has a beautiful smooth, glossy, wonderful Meguiar's finish on it and I glide through the air. He never believed me!

[dave_from_here]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

I don't know if its true but if airline companies hire detailers to wax airplanes there as to be a reason to keep airplanes nice and clean and not just good looks lol.

[Clutch34]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

hahaha! That's awesome!! What was the difference in mpg? Just curious..

[agp56]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

Mileage improvement is somewhat dependent on the frontal area and size of vehicle. On a vehicle the size of your Accord the difference is usually 0.5 to 1.0 mpg on a clean detailed & waxed car versus the dirty one.

[dave_from_here]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

Mileage improvement is somewhat dependent on the frontal area and size of vehicle. On a vehicle the size of your Accord the difference is usually 0.5 to 1.0 mpg on a clean detailed & waxed car versus the dirty one.

Cool, what about a dodge caliber ? I need an excuse to wax my car more often. GF thinks I'm waxing it too often.

[TNMom]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

The difference on their car , which of course I didn't pay attention to so I don't remember what it was, was 2 mpg.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

I thought it was only around 1%... it's something, but not a whole, whole lot. Although, I only caught the part of that episode where they tried to put a golf ball-like surface on the car.

[Clutch34]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

haha well, I guess that .5-1 mpg difference will REALLY come in handy when your ALMOSSSTTT out of gas and just barely make it to a gas station just prior to getting out and pushing the car into one! lol

[cnfowler]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

I thought it was only around 1%... it's something, but not a whole, whole lot. Although, I only caught the part of that episode where they tried to put a golf ball-like surface on the car.

I believe you're correct, Mark. The difference wasn't even enough to be concerned with. However, the golf ball dimple surface was pretty cool.

Colin

[ColonelCash]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

I thought it was only around 1%... it's something, but not a whole, whole lot. Although, I only caught the part of that episode where they tried to put a golf ball-like surface on the car.

That was actually a great test, turns out that a car with golf ball divots in the exterior gets substantially better gas mileage than one without. They tested a Ford Taurus and it originally got 26 mpg, with the divots it got 29 mpg. Roughly a 10% increase in MPG.

The 1% Mark mentioned is probably for wax. More dirt = more resistance and slightly additional weight.

[agp423]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

Clean car = smooth paint = less air friction = better gas mileage. But I suppose it won't make a noticeable difference.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Mythbusters Episode: Clean car vs Dirty Car

That was actually a great test, turns out that a car with golf ball divots in the exterior gets substantially better gas mileage than one without. They tested a Ford Taurus and it originally got 26 mpg, with the divots it got 29 mpg. Roughly a 10% increase in MPG.

The 1% Mark mentioned is probably for wax. More dirt = more resistance and slightly additional weight.

Just think, When I had the caddy, I was caught in a hail storm. The car looked like a giant golf ball. If I knew I was going to get better mileage, I never would of had it repaired. lol.