Aerodynamics: "Soft top." Up or down? Which is best with the Mazda MX-5 Miata ND?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 พ.ย. 2024
- An experiment showing what the air is doing around the cockpit of the car and under various modes. As the AC in this model seems to require no power from the engine, there's no reason not to keep the top up when on the track. But is it necessary? This experiment only goes up to 60 MPH, but I try to cross speeds of 30, 40, 50, and 60 MPH in a gradual fashion, so you can see how the air patterns advance with speed. Then you can imagine from there.
I was quite surprised by the outcome, and it was just plain cool.
Just drove an identical car from South Dakota to Vegas. The first 400 miles I rode with the top down. I got 33.1 mpg. Then i rode the last 600 top up. I got 38.6 mpg. Id say there is significant drag top down.
That is interesting! Useful information too! I always have the problem of having a very different condition with being at high altitude. This video was done at 9,000 ft. So, your typical altitude is no doubt much less and therefore your air would be heavier, thus making for a greater variance between roof up and down. But, your mention of your fuel mileage,,, I get about 40 mpg all round average! You got about that at high altitude as well. Some cars are really weird and get great mileage up here. No idea why? I haven't had mine below 5,500 ft and so I don't know how it behaves in low altitude. But I'll bet some of your mileage gain was strictly from altitude. But the roof up/down differential would certainly be greater at lower altitude.
Thanks for your input and interest. Hope you continue watching ;)
PS - Did you notice any performance variations with altitude on that trip?
I meant to mention, the.tell tails in this experiment should be doing the same thing at low altitude, just with more pressure and so the experiment should still be valid.
I meant to ask you if you had the windows up while top down. Remember in the experiment, we noticed little difference between "windows up/top down" and "top up." "Windows down/top down" was considerably more drag than "top up."
Just a thought.
Top down windows up first part of the trip, top up windows up at end and the A/C on the entire trip. On the trip home I did the exact same. Drove first part of the trip top down and second part top up, as I seen validity in what you said and figured having top down at high elevation may have a different effect. I was positive the results would be different than my trip to Vegas. I was amazed by the fact that the results was exactly the same both times according to the MX-5's computer. I'm getting ready to make a trip across South Dakota. It's around the same elevation so I'm going to repeat the test soon. I'll keep you informed as to my results.
My car comes with a warning. If the car is moving the top must be down!
I like your channel, Uncle Dan, I'm in!
Thanks, jolkraemeark!! Glad you like it and welcome aboard!
Thanks for watching!
Is your hat Levis? If so, I have the exact same hat and car(RF version though) 👍
Hello! The cap is Feinion.
Thanks for watching and happy driving!
The RF looks cooler. But being a Lotus fanatic, "Lightness" is my guide...always. The RF is 160/lbs (73 kg) lighter. That's like carrying someone in the car with you all the time, but nobody in the seat. So, to me, the RF is out!
I like the look of the RF top up and prefer the look of the soft top with top down. At my altitude, I don't notice any real difference with an adult male in the passenger side, but then add a full tank of fuel or anything else and the performance drop is noticeable.
Thanks for watching, Island Don!
@@SportingDrivesinColorado We "purists" can be a pain!😵💫
Ur car is nice 👍🏿
Thanks, Jason! I absolutely love it! This show is really about the car. ;)
Thanks for watching and your comment! I hope you have also viewed some of the spirited driving videos on this channel. We have some fun. :)
@@SportingDrivesinColorado i just got a 2021 Mazda Miata RF jet black it’s really a fun car keep the great videos coming
Why would you want the roof up. Not what it’s made for. Kinda like buying a beautiful Japanese knife and not cutting a tomato.
Lol! If you've seen my other videos, you'll see I haven't got an answer for that. Seriously, seeing how close the aero is to roof down/windows up. There isn't really any point, other than it being wet or below 10 degrees F.
But that was really the interest of this video. "Is there an aerodynamic reason?" Which was the only possible reason I was able to think of. ;)
Thanks for watching, cptndave!
Keep that top down and that tach needle moving!
Who cares. It’s about the fun. Wind in ya hair.
Well, that's always the general idea. But sometimes a driver is looking for maximum performance. But really, I think what we learned here is that it's all so close to the same that a driver can easily justify sporting around without the maximum performing configuration.
Zoom Zoom, experiment54! "I like your name." ;)
And thanks for watching!
@@SportingDrivesinColorado thanks for replying. We love our mx5 ND 👍 😊
@@experiment54 It was fun sticking tell tails on the back and seeing what the showed. ;)
If you care about this, sell your miata, buy a prius, you are not qualified for a fun car.
Well said
Well said
If you notice, all my videos are top down. :)