I know, I know. This is going to sound preposterous. All I can say is it is observation-based and not very scientific. Not even remotely a controlled, Myth-Buster type of experiment. The numbers are interesting though, and tell the story. This all started over a year ago when I purchased a bottle of that Nu Finish car polish. After a couple hours of labor it sure put the shine back into my classic silver. Made it look like it was carved out of billet aluminum. Then, after about a week of driving my usual 140 mile round trip route to work and back, I notice a slight rise in MPG. Now, mind you, I don’t ever reset the MPG value on the MFD. The miles travelled resets to zero with each tank full of gas, but I leave the MPG value alone. So, what I end up with I believe is a long period average. That is, unless I disconnect the 12V for some reason, which I hadn’t. The MPG value, which is usually an average of 47.0, reads 47.2. I attributed it to maybe slightly warmer weather or maybe less wind for a week. Didn’t think much more about it. Now, just a week ago, I polished up the Prius again. And sure enough, after 5 days of driving my same route, the MPG is back up to 47.2 again. I can’t blame it on changes in the weather or anything else I can think of this time. It almost must have something to do with reduced drag from a good polishing. Or at least that is what I would like to postulate. Do you think this is a possibility?
Not sure if it's measurable to the extent your mileage improved, but my guess is with the wax job, you'll have less aero drag since the paint finish is nice and smooth. A more likely possibility is that when you wax and clean your car, it creates a "new car" mind effect because it does look like new, and you end up driving as if it was a new car - all subconsciously of course. It doesn't last long because, well, because it's not really a new car and you go back to your regular driving style. I'm just theorizing, and quite possibly could be wrong.
Simply cleaning a car will technically reduce drag and therefore improve gas mileage. Waxing will probably do the same. I am not certain how much it improves it, but it will have some affect.
part of any airlines maintenance program is washing its planes because there is a measurable improvement in efficiency. when in the air force. as an E 3 (near the bottom) i had the not so enviable task of washing the B-52's... not a fun job
I too, noticed a slight gain after waxing my Prius this past summer. Inasmuch that it motivated me to wax the car every 3 weeks or so. I mean, why not... it takes a total of 1/2 hour with the Prius from start to finish.
ah!! was born there in 59 so just missed ya! my Dad was also stationed there if you hadnt guessed. it is a wonderful place. I was lucky enough to visit about 35 years ago. I hope to go back again here within the next 5 years or so
Kadena was a modern base way back then. Now, I would not recognize anything on base or off base. Probably every building has been replaced since I was there. You can go on to You Tube and watch a video of there. I can recognize nothing. I guess Okinawa is a resort area now.
They clean and wax sailplanes before a competition. They also tape all the seams. You should try that. Don't forget to leave the window open or you won't be able to get in.
