Has anyone heard of these GasPods?

no. please let us know the results.

 

They should have an impartial lab test them, and/or someone like MythBusters. My Magic Eight Ball sense says "pass on this".

MythBusters did do a test of dimpled car, kind of like golf balls.

They load this car up with a LOT of clay, dimple it, and mpg goes up, significantly. I suppose they should have left the clay on, filled in all the dimples (they did keep the dimples), and do another run. It could be more complete warm-up, who knows.

 

mendel, please don't discourage independent testing.

 

Is this another sort of vortex generator?

23% is much too good to be true. Any difference from these things, good or bad, should be much smaller.

Fuel consumption varies so much with conditions, and can be so easily altered (consciously or otherwise) by the driver, that I'm going to insist on a wind tunnel test before believing that this particular item is useful.

 

Toyota (and every other manufacturer) would give their left corporate nut to increase fuel economy 2-17%.

If this stuff worked, don't you think they'd be installed at the factory??

 

One would think so. However, there's a possibility they didn't for aesthetic reasons. I'm intrigued enough to consider buying a set.

 

Not for the above numbers.

 

I see they sell for $40. For $40, you could also buy a tank-and-a-half of gas, which will get you 600+ miles in a Prius

 

One hopes you're posting affiliate links unwittingly, but I digress.

Maybe a mod can edit that string of alphanumerics for the OP

 

Those GasPods don’t seem to have the optimum shape for vortex generator.

No way is 23% better possible! Even 2.3% is too much.

But still gains are possible. But just slapping these on isn’t a good option as just small difference in location of vortex generator has a big impact. Just looking at a Gen 2 Prius back corners (rear bumper sides and taillights or in front of taillights) would probably be the most useful location. Rear spoiler would need to be redesigned in order to work with vortex generators on or in front of it.

Reason the gains are possible is that when Toyota designed the gen 2 Prius (or any other car) aerodynamics are not the only goal they have. These small improvements for aerodynamic for rear end would change the style of rear end and it probably wouldn’t go with their styling goal.

 

You have discovered vortex generators that can reduce drag on some vehicles if properly placed. The Prius already had a pretty low drag coefficient so, even if properly placed, I would not expect much fuel savings.

Vortex Generators | PriusChat

@krmcg installed some vortex generators for appearance on his Gen 4 Prius.Vortex Generators | PriusChat

Here is a video comparing drag on various Prius generations.

 

These were extensively tested by the CMax gang several years ago.

Jus Another Gas Pod - Fuel Mileage - Ford C-MAX Hybrid Forum

Spoiler: they saw improvements but nowhere near 23%.

FWIW

 

I tried to sign up for their tester program to get a 40% discount. I gave them my car info, name, and e-mail address, but no one responded. Not going to buy them at full price, so if they don't respond, I just won't get them.

 

It would be interesting to see if @krmcg saw any mpg improvement. I do not remember where he got his vortex generators.

Apparently, shortly after installing them he noticed a 5% increase in mpg but that may have also been due to warmer weather.

 

... then you are still dreaming. Neither Toyota nor the hypermiling and ecomodder communities leave anywhere near that much easy improvement unharvested just for mere aesthetics.

 

I don't think the vortex generators provided any measurable MPG improvement. Although I am sure that they didn't hurt - and they look great!

 

While the theory is sound, the application is not.....

Many tests have been done, but few published and the results of independent "A-B-A" type testing all conclude the stick-on vortex generators HURT the vehicle's overall aero package.

Now, is it *possible* that such a device placed in the correct spot(s) on a specific vehicle type my show a drag reduction? Sure.

We could get hit by an asteroid as

 

I agree with PreeUs on this. To be able to effectively use such devices on the car, you'd need a wind tunnel to engineer perfect placement and sizing. The C-max thread is funny to read because the guy who shows 7-8% improvement has a commute with almost no interstate/freeway driving (where aero differences would show) and is hugely variable due to traffic and lights. The only tests that are reasonable to pay attention to are interstate A-B-A tests at constant speed. This product is snake oil.

If you want to do some aero mods that will improve fuel economy, look into:
1. Partial radiator grill block
2. "Moon" wheel covers
3. Lowered car
4. Side mirrors delete
5. Full underbody panel cover
6. Full or partial boat tail

Ecomodder.com is a good resource for aero mods.