In order to avoid a tire thread from going off-topic I have started this new topic.
Tramlining the definition (thank you Tire Rack)
Quote:
The term "tramlining" is being used to describe when directional control is disrupted by the vehicle's tendency to follow the longitudinal ruts and/or grooves in the road. It's name could be compared to the tram or trolley driver who does not steer because his vehicle follows the path established by the tracks.
All the options available to reduce tramlining affect mileage except for maybe the last one on this list
* Using lower tire pressures reduces tramlining (increase fuel consumption)
* Wider tires can reduce tramlining with the Insight (increases fuel consumtion)
* Adding spacers to the rear rims to bring them out further should help (but it brings more of the rear tires into high speed airflow therefore fuel consumption will probably increase slightly)
* Changing the front wheel alignment so it has "Toe in" like most cars do, will reduce tramlining (but increase tire wear and fuel consumption slightly)
* Adding vortex generators at the leading edge of the front undertray. http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache...ient=firefox-a
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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 can't imagine how five little stick-on gadgets on the hatch can prevent any kind of "tramlining" on our cars....
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Driving on down the road in my 2001 CVT, going "Boogety Boogety" ...and until avatars are provided, my car looks just like the original silver Insight on the header, above... =)
I can't imagine how five little stick-on gadgets on the hatch can prevent any kind of "tramlining" on our cars....
Because you looked at the wrong section of that article, look further down....
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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
That is a good article. I drove around with yarn tufts on my car for quite a while, but didn't think of the idea of vortex generators on the underside.
But I'm curious about the claim that the Insight is not a stable (aerodynamic) design. In most cases the fastback design is better than the conventional three-box design because there's more side area towards the rear. I have always thought that the reason that the car moves around in truck wakes is just because it's so light...
The book to read on this topic is "The Leading Edge" by Goro Tamai. It's mostly about solar racing cars, but is an excellent introduction to the aerodynamics that apply to the Insight.
Incidently, there's a chart in this book that tends to disagree with the idea that raising the car by an inch or so will increase the drag...
Incidently, if you use the "ridge riding" method of lane position, with right wheels on the line and left wheels on the hump, tramlining will be the least of your problems. Just keeping on the pavement is hard enough!
Then you open up another unfavorable condition, preferential skidding. Tires don't have the same adhesion on the painted lines. And its much worse when wet.
boogetyboogety wrote:
I can't imagine how five little stick-on gadgets on the hatch can prevent any kind of "tramlining" on our cars....
[mod edit (Insightful Trekker): Corrected mis attributed quote]
Quote:
Guillermo replied:
Because you looked at the wrong section of that article, look further down....
Yes, I read the entire article, I just have a hard time understanding how simple airflow at normal speeds would have enough force to counteract the much larger dynamic forces resulting from tramlining... I do understand drag coefficients and management of airflow around moving bodies and downforce (to the extent that I can hold my own in a party conversation, not as a world-class expert), and I can imagine the kinds of force that would force an 1,800+ lb. vehicle to be physically moved around due to whatever reason (such as tramlining). I just cannot fathom how the two can ever balance out, real world, at less than warp speeds...
I value your informed opinion(s)...
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Driving on down the road in my 2001 CVT, going "Boogety Boogety" ...and until avatars are provided, my car looks just like the original silver Insight on the header, above... =)
If someone is interested in trying them, they can be ordered online here: http://www.buyairtab.com
$2.50 each (not sure how much for shipping)
JoeCVT - Just your average CVT owner
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2004 CVT Red Insight (purchased May 2011)
Relocated outside temp sensor near mid engine
No other mods performed yet
2003 CVT Blue Insight
Modified version of MIMA_L (with foot pedal)
Automatic warm air intake (all season)
Low Speed Auto Stop (LSAS)
ABS - IMA regen enabler (allows regen during ABS)
Relocated outside temp sensor near mid engine
Cooling fans powered by 12V Solar Panel
2001 MT Blue Insight (purchased Nov 2011)
Not registered yet
Ok to be fair the vortex generators actually don't help much with tramlining caused by rutts on the road but i'll explain how it helps with crosswinds such as those generated by trucks driving by at highways speed.
Underneath the bottom front bumper there are several black plastic covers and an aluminum cover to help smooth the air flow under the car. But the area under the engine compartment is not as smooth for air flow as it could be. So the high speed air hits irregular objects and cause high pressure areas. These high air pressure areas lift the front of the car slightly reducing the load of the car on the front tires, so the steering gets lighter and more susceptible to cross winds.
__________________
2000 Insight 5spd with 290,000 Km
Daily driver (previously used for autoslalom & track lapping)
Collision avoidance and Track driving instructor
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How to reduce tramlining
