• CookieOfFortune@lemmy.worldEnglish
    231·
    4 days ago

    I wonder if there’s even a gain in total miles they can travel given how much air resistance that sail adds. Wonder what RPM the engine is pushing going highway speeds.

    • hikaru755@lemmy.worldEnglish
      71·
      4 days ago

      Same speed = same RPM, regardless of load / air resistance. Unless they have to drive in a lower gear to make it work, but I doubt that

      • CookieOfFortune@lemmy.worldEnglish
        10·
        4 days ago

        You’re right RPM is tied directly to wheel speed. There is increased fuel consumption because the load on the engine is higher.

      • nullroot@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        4 days ago

        More surface area = more drag. A big ol non aerodynamic cube will definitely be adding more drag. Other than that, yeah load doesn’t really effect mpg

        • hikaru755@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          4 days ago

          Yeah for sure. I’m just saying that the engine RPM won’t be affected as the original comment implied. Drag and mpg will definitely be higher.