It looks like I am missing the underbody panels on my 2002 CVT, from the radiator to the rear of the engine bay. Aerodynamically speaking, how important are these?
Like everything else, maybe 1%. It's when you add them all up that it makes a big difference. Probably the tires are the most important thing. The panels may affect engine cooling a bit, but I doubt if it's very much.
I can't talk about the underbody panel itself, but like the earlier poster said, everything counts.
I had lost the driver side "air dam" that sits in front of the tire, and also the inner fender. (I hit some road debris...)
I've been doing some long distance commuting (700 plus miles each way) on Interstate 80. With the damage, my mpg was hovering around the 50 mpg number. Once I replaced them I slid up to the 60 range. This all at "highway speeds"....
(I also pulled off a 70 mpg trip, but in that one I kept my eye on the display the whole time, drove in the Carter speed range, and despite teh weather, kept my a/c off. I ain't doing that again).
The panel may protect debris from getting caught in the accessory belts
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2000 Insight 5spd with 290,000 Km
Daily driver (previously used for autoslalom & track lapping)
Collision avoidance and Track driving instructor
I tore mine off by driving through a deep puddle at too high a speed (right after a night of heavy rains). The front screws tore through the dam material itself, and then the leading edge came into contact with the road, and it basically dragged itself down back and under itself until it was more than halfway off. I pulled over and got wet and muddy pulling it the rest of the way off.
Amazingly, the Honda dealer near me replaced the thing for $102.25 -- basically the cost of the part alone. He didn't charge me for the labor (although it wouldn't have been much).
When it was off the car, I could see exposed wires running along the underbody; I was worried they might get snagged on something. I was glad to get it replaced so cheaply.
i was doing 112mph yesterday (overtaking some guy in his new Merc) and one of mine came off - thought i had damaged the engine with all the noise. New one is about $70
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02 Insight 5 speed
230k miles
#200124
i was doing 112mph yesterday (overtaking some guy in his new Merc)
Whoa! Got any points on your licence yet?!
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2005 Insight, UK Spec Silver 5 speed with Alpine stereo, subwoofer & speakers with iPod link, IMA C&C, Shark Fin Aerial, Garmin EcoRoute HD, Skinz sound deadened rear shelf, 'InsightCentral' number plates, 19" rear wiper, Osram nightbreaker plus bulbs
Previous owner of 1999 Japanese Silver 5sp, 2001 UK Citrus 5sp & 2000 Japanese Red CVT Honda Insight - An extraordinary car for ordinary people
Yes, i got 3 points in the Insight last month - doing 84mph on the motorway by one of the Cumbria Road Safety vans parked on a bridge - wasnt paying attention - i'm sure the police would have ignored me at that speed. First points for 23 years!!!
Cheers
John
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02 Insight 5 speed
230k miles
#200124
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Underbody panels - how important?
