Wheel Aerocaps Might Not Be As Important As You Think
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- Ryan tests the efficiency of the Tesla Model 3 with and without aerocaps on the 18" wheels. Do wheel covers significantly increase range? Let's find out!
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You are also altitude where the air is less dense. In winter and at sea level they will make a bigger difference. Most people are also driving 85+ on that stretch so they make an even bigger difference then too. I highly recommend going at least the post speed in these tests. 😉
In the UK at least, the speed limit is 70mph on highways.
@@kevinjohnstone7266 u guys are driving the speed limit?
Yes. Too many speed cameras and average speed cameras to do much more.😢
@@binitbobI mean not to beat a dead horse but…. FREEEEDDDOOOOMMMMM
Kyle, with your close connection with Martian wheels, I would love a side-by-side test of OEM vs lightweight third party wheels. For example, the factory 20” wheels on the 2023 ID.4 Pro S tip the scales at 36 lbs each.
Would be interesting to find out the efficiency and acceleration differences with the lighter wheels when controlling for identical tires.
Also narrower. Kyle had great range on his model 3 performance with 7.5" wide wheels and snow tires...
Drove my 21 Model 3 dual motor 20,000 miles without the aero caps, averaged about 263 wh/mi. Put the caps back on for a road trip and have left them on since, doing about 1,000 since then (400 mi for the road trip and 600 city driving), and have averaged 231 wh/mi. Definitely a noticeable difference with them on.
Tessie has my real-world range from the 263wh/mi time period as 262 miles for 100% battery. When I change the time frame to the past 30 days for my 231 wh/mi time period, my real world range has increased to 304 miles. So a difference of 40 miles lost without my aero caps.
This all is based on the stats of every drive I've taken that Tessie records and tracks. My Tesla's reported real world range at 100% is 335 mi, currently.
Of course, I still have to go 19,000 more miles to get rid of any biases in temperature, weather, etc. but it's definitely a noticeable difference in my experience.
At slow speeds, the effect is minimal. At highways speeds, they make a small but definitely measurable difference. As with anything EV related, small differences add up to a significant amount, particularly at highway speeds where air resistance becomes the biggest concern.
I did an A-B-A test in my Rivian to help control for changing variables (wind, temp, traffic) and found about 2% improvement (between 0 and 4.5% depending on how I sampled data).
Nice. I was also thinking that an on/off/on/off/etc. test would make the results much more convincing.
It would be interesting to see the efficiency differential between the 19” sport wheels and the 18” aero wheels.
18” without aero caps though, right?
@@JorJorBinks123correct.
I think Engineering Explained did a video on that exact thing
@@BobbyJamescomposerCorrect! He did do this exact video with actual physics and math. Not sure how people miss that video or don’t care to look it up and research on their own.
then you're not comparing apples to apples. I'd imagine a smaller 18" would do much better than a non-aero 19" regardless.
In Germany i usually Drive at 85-87mph. I think that increases positive effects from the aero caps
Good point. I usually drive significantly faster than 70 mph too.
Makes sense, the faster you're going, the higher the wind resistance.
Another benefit I've noticed (not sure if you did) is having the caps on seems to cut down on wind noise.
He mentions it in the video. He said there is no noticeable difference.
Clearly range anxiety is still a thing with lots of people if they stress over a couple of percent of efficiency. Except for some bit of fun hypermiling, I don't see the point. Wheel covers have always been ugly to me so I'd rather have a nice looking wheel than a few extra miles of range. Speed is the factor that most affects range and efficiency and almost no one drives slower than the speed limit to increase their efficiency. With Superchargers becoming more and more prevalent, let's hope aero covers are soon part of the trash heap of history. Thanks for providing some real world data on this.
Not everything that increases range is done to counter range anxiety. For me, function is more important than form when they are in conflict. I prefer smaller wheels when that provides improved ride and efficiency.
Nice. I've been saying this for a while that it really isn't much of a difference. Even on long road trips, if you save 10 miles on a full charge, it wouldn't even add 30 seconds to a charging session and surely wouldn't be enough to skip a charger. Now there is a difference between 18" & 19", but that was not the test. thanks for sharing
Super consistent test, excellent job! Not the results I was expecting either. The 1/3 wheel cap you put on that covers the lug nuts, what if you didn't put those on at all, would that make the difference?
1 or 2 % over a million vehicles does become a significant fuel savings. So there's that. On a national fleet perspective, costs would matter.
Good job. 👍 Doesn't sound like much but I'll take the extra 2-3 miles ;-). Beats walking to find help.
5:31 in Michigan you can also turn left on red onto a one-way from a two-way street.
Have you driven some stretch at similar speed prior to the first run?
If not, the wheels might not be warmed up as much as for the next run, meaning they are initially less inflated and therefore have higher rolling resistance. Add to that the slightly colder battery you mention, requiring less cooling. Tiny differences like this can add up to few percent skew.
FYI the scientific approach would be to repeat the first aero cap run at the end, to see whether some conditions might have changed. If the results matched the first attempt, you would have high confidennce that the results are valid. If not, you'd know something changed that made an impact.
Driving a freshly Cleaned Tesla is pretty much on par w aero wheels efficiency gains.
I'm not surprised that the difference isn't super noticeable. Wheel covers for semi trucks make about the same difference. Maybe .1 to .2 difference in mpg but over the span of a year, they've already paid for themselves with the fuel savings. Hard to say no to a few extra hundred dollars in my pocket.
It would be interesting to see a test with something like a BMW iX or Mercedes EQE suv with and without the OEM aero wheels.
The Aeros look futuristic to me, and also mean I don't need to worry about keeping hubcaps clean.
I think most modern vehicles moved to air skirts that go over the majority of the wheel if that is the case for the Tesla I can see why it really wouldn't matter what wheel you had I remember before air skirts were a thing wheel aerodynamics where topic that was discussed as well as wheels helping or hurting break cooling.
Also, the effect is noted as being dramatically more important the bigger your wheel gets versus the size of your tire ideally if you could maintain the most tire sidewall you could you would have the least air disturbance all else being similar.
Have not seen any with skirts
Ryan, thanks for nice test. Aero Tesla covers look awful, so I recommend removing them because not worth 1-2% more range.
Very cool test, Ryan! I took my aero caps off one week after I got my M3 SR+ in March ‘21, and they’re still sitting on the shelf in my garage.
The biggest difference for me between the two options (and what other vehicle gives the driver TWO very different wheel options?!?) is that I have a huge smile when I see the wheels sans the aero covers!
Keep up the great work!
Branden flash just did the same test a month ago
Absolutely agree. I really don’t notice a difference in my range without them.
Try again in winter when its colder, the impact is allot more then because of the higher density of the air
My opinion - aero caps for road trips, no caps for daily driving.
The faster you go the MUCH bigger that difference will be. Ironically acceleration has almost nothing to do with efficiency in terms of Wh/mi. It just completely depends on what your max and average speeds are. Coasting actually has the biggest affect on improving your efficiency.
For best range always use top tier electrons.
It’s the size of the wheels that makes a big difference. How about a run on 18” Aeros vs 21” sport wheels.
there’s actually plenty of research done on this over the last 5+ years that these vehicles have been out, and an 18inch wheel with aro caps, gives you about 10-20+ miles of range per charging cycle
with the arrow wheels! of course, depending on the driving conditions and your driving habits
The diameter of the wheel makes zero effect. In fact the best wheel would be a big skinny one. The issue is, in cars, a larger rim size entails a wider tire and additional weight. If the larger wheel used the same track width, the effect would be zero.
@@Wised1000 Actually the reason bigger wheels get less range is BC the majority of the weight in a wheel is in the outer circumference thus requiring more effort to turn since it's farther from the axle.
Also important to note that the covers will have even LESS of an impact in city driving. So if you're talking combined city and highway, it may not even be a measurable difference.
caps only make a major difference at 75++ mph
You really need to measure temperatures every single time. Don’t guess at the temperatures. Use an OBD2 reader to actually see exactly what the temperatures are.
Can I ask what are the caps you put on for the second test
the caps dont make that much of different, but I like the look of the wheels with out the caps.
I think I’m the corner case where I actually love the function of them. If it was my car. I would leave the the caps on. Il trying to make the aero wheels work on my 21 3 Performance
A couple things you could do to improve the test. Go faster, the higher the speed the the more aero caps will improve the overall efficiency. And two, start and stop the trip meter at highway speed to eliminate the acceleration/deceleration variable. You could also do a warmup run for the tires, but charging each time controlled for that some. I did this test and found a larger difference in efficiency between no caps/aeros/rimetrix aeros. Around 4%
One good thing he did that most others don’t is drive a relatively long distance… 58 miles round trip with each. A lot of the other tests I’ve seen on RUclips have only been like 10 miles. How long was your own test?
Great video. Hey, why are you using the Aero Cap Kit 2.0? Just for the look? I like the looks of the wheels naked, with just a simple round centercap. No reason to cover lug nuts.
Also, wheels are so dirty. I always thought Tesla wheels didn't really get that dirty from brake dust due to regen... How are your wheels so dirty?
The wheels on my Model 3 were also dirty AF when I took the covers off after only 500 miles, but after taking the covers off, they never get dirty. I think the covers trap dust in there.
That was my suspicion, thanks for the test. After 3 years with them on, and getting over the dreaded "range anxiety", I took mine off 2 years ago for ascetic reasons. The difference was not noticeable. What has the largest effect for me is temperatures below 50° F ~10 miles for 100 miles driven and the more dramatic 20° F that will "cost" ~30 miles per 100 miles driven. And yes, a lot of that is probably running the heat. I refuse to drive uncomfortable. If EVs are to compete with ICE cars they need to provide the creature comforts.
Interesting test. Why didn't you mention tire pressure? if the tires were cold on the first test the pressure would have been lower than on the second test. Also the air density is lower in Colorado due to the elevation. These two factors could impact range as much or more than the covers. Curious why you didn't even bring them up?
I always appreciate people doing their own research, BUT there’s a bunch of caveats
there’s actually plenty of research done on this exact topic over the last 5+ years that these vehicles have been out,
and an 18inch wheel with aro caps, gives you about 10-20+ miles more range per charging cycle, of course, depending on the driving conditions and your driving habits
Not surprising but good to know. Thank you.
Do the aero covers help protect the wheels against curb rash with those notoriously low profile tires?
They do not protect the wheel from rim rash.
The main issue is that the value you are looking for is small enough that the impact of minor differences in each run are going to have effects of a similar magnitude. For this investigation, you really should do a number of runs in each configuration to have a better indication of the impact.
I wonder what difference a stick on number plate does compared to the Tesla stock plates?
If you want to test for a small but real difference, an N=1 sampling of each test case is a waste of two runs, unless followed up by other test runs to gather a significant base of data. Get a statistician, tell them what the other, poorly and well controlled variables are, and DESIGN a test to address the question.
If i owned a Tesla I would just use those smaller caps on the second run. The wheels look so much better when you can see the spokes. Quite honestly I would only use an EV as a daily driver still, would rarely if ever road trip it, so a 1% difference in efficiency would not concern me.
Aero plays a vital role, especially with todays EVs, wherein collective gains of an improvement of just .1 drag coefficient on the body, wheel covers, underside, winglets, etc is realized to a positive degree. You cannot compare one day of testing versus thousands of hours in a wind tunnel.
I always assume minor things like that are insignificant. Except for that few percentage of people that try to hypermile the effect will just be inefficient daily driving and weather.
At that rate the extra expense of Aerocaps would never be paid for. Mostly just a gimmick.
Hey thanks! The big difference is like on the Model S, using 21” vs Aero 19”. Huge mileage difference listed. Try that.
I would be interested in what the result would be ona windy day
Interesting video. Wonder if there will be any differences in model s areocap rims and the model y aero cap rims.
The size of the wheel is the biggest difference if you remove overall speed. Then the tyre itself and then the aero cap. You say 1% isnt much but over a lifetime that mounts up.
In the UK i am getting 222 which is about 4.5 miles per kwh over 10k miles. Ive had 19s in the summer and 18s with caps in the winter. I think thats pretty good.
I know if i was running 18s all the time that number would be under 200.
Personally I dont see many drivers going for efficiency. Covid hasnt taught us anything. We are all rushing about and not giving a fuck.
If something gave me 1% extra I'd take it. The car looks crap without the covers. Its just a daily driver.. Enjoy it and remember the brake pedal is the planets enemy.. 🌎🌍🔥🔥
Great video Ryan!
What is that thing call to cover the steel wheel?
1-2% is within the margin of error in everything but the most controlled lab conditions. Not that I doubt the results.
Could you guys please do a Tesla Model 3 Performance with its stock black aero Rims vs. some cool rims from Martian Wheels. Please, please. I'd like to buy Martian wheel but I'm not doing it until I have data on efficiency. Thankyou.
In my experience with a Model 3 Performance, efficiency improved quite a bit when I switched to Martian Wheels and used them in combination with Pirelli P-Zero All Season Electric ("electric" is part of description) tires that were 235/45/18.
I believe the aerocaps are useful in windy conditions, or bad weather. They improve the efficiency by preventing wind and water to go inside the wheels. Your test was done with minimal wind. You may want to retry the test in bad weather.
You should also do the test on winding roads where air flows inside the wheels as the car turns. Doing the test on a straight road does not affect how the air hits the wheels shape.
Why charge after the first trip. Is it possible that charging heated up the battery and then the car spent a little extra energy cooling it down during the second trip?
He charged before both trips to make it even.
Now test plain steel rims vs alloys. (Same size/width).
This should be a matter of consistent results rather than a single try.
I think many more people would prefer to cruise at 75 miles an hour, rather than 70. Can you re conduct the test at 75?
Model Y owner here. I have the 19" wheels and drive 90% highway miles. Took the caps off eventually and saw zero difference in average efficiency.
I think AeroCap just for blocking Rocks and Chips got inside the wheel
Awesome test. Please do Model Y 19" Gemini with caps vs 21" Uberturbines.
Thx for sharing!!
I wonder if you were driving in high winds if they might be more helpful then?
Depending on the time of day the density altitude would be different. Normally higher the later in the day as temperatures rise. Eg thinner air and less drag on your second run. Do the same test in reverse with no caps first and see the difference.
Nice test. #coldhands😅
Could have driven faster to make the aerodynamic drag more significant.
gr8 video all those 1%'s add up over time :)
awesome!
I just bought a tesla!
Did you charge to 60.0% or 60.99%? ;)
Good to know, because those covers are UG-LY. (Please don't wear sunglasses while speaking to the camera.)
These aero covers are far from perfect aerodynamically - definitely not as good as those used in bicycle racing. They left openings to let air in for cooling the brakes which is wasting quite a bit of energy when the brakes are not in use during cruising or acceleration (plus brakes are not in use when using 100% regenerative braking)
It is possible to make better aero covers that still cool the brakes when needed - but would definitely cost more than a simple aero cover
Always wanted to know this. Very interesting result! Thanks for the scientific test and data!
One possible difference between tests could be battery temp. How close was your battery temps between the start of each test?
The day before I install my fastev rims on my tesla I see this video
Wheels look better without the beauty covers.
Why can’t Tesla just tell us this?
It doesn’t appear the cars are in chill mode.
I replaced the hideous black 18" Aero covers with the silver Rimetrix covers. I've done a couple of tests since, swapping back to the Aeros, and running naked. I actually get better mileage with the Rimetrix covers. Plus they look better on a red or a blue car.
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I don't use aero wheels for the simple fact that they're flat out ugly. Even if, and they don't , save energy, they're just not worth the embarrassment . You're more likely to get better range out of a smaller wheel and tire than the aero caps.
In my opinion the steel wheel is way better looking than the aero cap.
It’s aluminum
What if you remove that after market thing you put on after the removing the aero covers? Would it be similar?
I'm not sure they are aftermarket, Tesla sells some like that. The old kit was just a small center cap and lugnut covers (not sold anymore) , maybe that's what other tests have used and have seen a slightly bigger difference?
In any case, it's minimal.
As always……..the weakest link is the driver😎
Awesome test. I always wondered about the difference between both with or without. Thank you for the video and all your work. Much appreciated.
I am wondering that your elevation is very different than Car and Driver was likely close to sea level while your elevation could possible average at 5000feet that is a significant air density difference and as you that is likely the difference. My back ground is flow meters and such a difference of air density would be the likely reason the results of Car & Driver having a bigger hit on efficiency with the wheel covers off verses them on.
He started at 5200’ (Wellington CO) and turned back at about 6300’ (south of Cheyenne WY).
Curb rash is common if you park on the street. Keep the caps on.
Even at just under 1% difference, to me that is still a huge improvement for just some small plastic bits attached to each wheel.
1% difference in summer.. a who cares it's only 1%...
2% difference in winter... Holy fuck let me put my covers on, fuck looking pretty :')
Can you do a longer run, like say to Vegas and back? Maybe have 2 identical Model 3's, one with aero caps and one without, and see if over a longer distance it plays a role. No need to race, maybe have one Model 3 take off 10 minutes earlier to avoid drafting each other and see what the efficiency is at on a longer trip with more variables thrown in.
There's a RESET AEROCAPS button?! What does that do
Dude... You DID have caps over the nuts on the second run, WHY? This totally taints your results IMO
It will add 5% to a fully charged battery
With Tesla's mantra of "the best part is no part" don't you think they would eliminate the aero covers if it was only a 1% difference? Also, air density changes with altitude and temperature will play a role. The best (or better) experiment would be on a dynamometer in a climate and pressure controlled chamber. Probably what Tesla has done??
Great job! Tsla hype?
Tesla said there was only 5% difference over the full pack, your not even using 30% of the battery while in the middle of the battery. The aerodynamics of the tires is just too small a factor in such a run where wind sheer and acceleration dominate energy consumption.
Ryan, while your test was good it was not quite correct. You wanted to run with and without the aerocaps. But when you took off the aerocaps you but a cover on the wheel hub. Why? I was expecting you to run the wheels unaltered for fairness. In my opinion the hub cover is a form of aerocover and so wonder how your test would have changed, or not, if you ran the wheel unaltered without the aerocover.