Rolling Green: Could Wheel Covers Boost Your Car's Fuel Economy?

Covering car wheels can increase fuel efficiency by reducing air resistance and drag, which can cause a reduction in vehicle efficiency. However, covering the wheels completely can compromise brake cooling and cause vibrations.

Air resistance is a big contributor to efficiency losses

Spinning wheels generates all manner of turbulent air. This turbulence can cause drag and reduce efficiency of the vehicle. Often road cars don't have covers mostly because people find them hideously ugly.

If wheel covers could make a measurable difference in fuel economy then Toyota would have the best design on the Prius. If you cover over the wheels completely, like moon discs, you really compromise your brake cooling.

You could feel it. So, the manufacturers have oversights and mistakes, and there is obvious room for improvement. They're going to sell the car based on its styling, and aerodynamics aren't an impressive talking or selling point when you're buying, say, an SUV.

Even though he added weight to the car, the stock carbureted engine still managed to get him 70 mpg. Once the original engine wore out, he got an aftermarket high efficiency engine that raised vehicle efficiency I believe into the 110s per gallon. You should look at modern aerodynamics they use in racing. Just look at an F1 car, for example.

Spinning wheels generate turbulent air, which can cause drag and reduce efficiency

Often road cars don't have covers mostly because people find them hideously ugly. However, if wheel covers could make a measurable difference in fuel economy, Toyota would have the best design on the Prius.

If you cover over the wheels completely, like moon discs, you really compromise your brake cooling. This is comparing apples to oranges, in that, it is a bit of a stretch to think the OP's car is going to overheat its brakes like a race car might if the airflow is changed.

Air resistance is a big contributor to efficiency losses. It's also the reason for why some semi-trailers have those wing skirts under them now to streamline it.

Dangerous? Probably not, providing a professional and secure design and installation of the covers. Though it may complicate changing a flat tire, and snow buildup may or may not cause a little trouble.

Wheel covers can compromise brake cooling and cause overheating

Air resistance is a big contributor to efficiency losses. It's also the reason for why some semi-trailers have those wing skirts under them now to streamline it. Dangerous? Probably not, providing a professional and secure design and installation of the covers. Though it may complicate changing a flat tire, and snow buildup may or may not cause a little trouble.

If wheel covers could make a measurable difference in fuel economy then Toyota would have the best design on the Prius. You could feel it. Terrifying. So, the manufacturers have oversights and mistakes, and there is obvious room for improvement. They're going to sell the car based on its styling, and aerodynamics aren't an impressive talking or selling point when you're buying, say, an SUV. The aerodynamics I would approach with caution would be on...

Professional and secure design and installation of wheel covers can provide a streamlined vehicle

Air resistance is a big contributor to efficiency losses. Spinning wheels generate all manner of turbulent air, which can cause drag and reduce the efficiency of the vehicle. Often road cars don't have covers because people find them hideously ugly.

If wheel covers could make a measurable difference in fuel economy, then Toyota would have the best design on the Prius. If you cover over the wheels completely, like moon discs, you really compromise your brake cooling. You could feel it.

Dangerous? Probably not, providing a professional and secure design and installation of the covers. Though it may complicate changing a flat tire, and snow buildup may or may not cause a little trouble.

This is some guy's project car. I believe it's an 86 or 87 Honda Civic that he covered with sheet metal from a disused shed. He made the car shaped like a wing to minimize drag, which included covering the wheels. Even though he added weight to the car, the stock carbureted engine still managed to get him 70 mpg. Once the original engine wore out, he got an aftermarket high-efficiency engine that raised vehicle efficiency I believe into the 110s per gallon. You should look at modern aerodynamics they use in racing. Just look at an F1 car, for example.

Because it provides for an overall more streamlined vehicle. Air resistance is a big contributor to efficiency losses. It's also the reason for why some semi-trailers have those wing skirts under them now to streamline it. Dangerous? Probably not, providing a professional and secure design and installation of the covers.

Aerodynamics in racing can be used to minimize drag and increase efficiency

Air resistance is a big contributor to efficiency losses. Spinning wheels generate turbulent air, which can cause drag and reduce efficiency. Often road cars don't have covers mostly because people find them hideously ugly.

If wheel covers could make a measurable difference in fuel economy, then Toyota would have the best design on the Prius. If you cover over the wheels completely, like moon discs, you really compromise your brake cooling. You could feel the difference.

The aerodynamics I would approach with caution would be on modern racing cars. Just look at an F1 car, for example.

Because it provides for an overall more streamlined vehicle. Air resistance is a big contributor to efficiency losses. It's also the reason for why some semi-trailers have those wing skirts under them now to streamline it.

Dangerous? Probably not, providing a professional and secure design and installation of the covers. Though it may complicate changing a flat tire, and snow buildup may or may not cause a little trouble.

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