Do hub caps make a huge difference

[Viperoni]

If it has a 3 speed auto definetely. I can't believe they'd do that lol.


Taking off the hubcaps would make no appreciable difference.

 

[Throckmorton]

Hubcaps make a huge difference for AERODYNAMICS, not weight. All of them total are probably 1lb, but a spinning steelie and a spinning hubcap are drastically different aerodynamically. The question is which is more aerodynamic... Do you have a pic of the hubcaps?

 

[zerocool84]

If it has a 3 speed auto definetely. I can't believe they'd do that lol.


Taking off the hubcaps would make no appreciable difference.

A 3spd auto was common for model yr 2k cars.

 

[jlee]

A 3spd auto was common for model yr 2k cars.

The VE is also the base trim model, so it wouldn't surprise me if it had a 3sp auto. I'm not sure if they all went to 4sp at any point, though...never paid much attention.

 

[Lean L]

yes 3 spd auto.

I thought weight on the wheels made a huge difference?

 

[Itchrelief]

yes 3 spd auto.

I thought weight on the wheels made a huge difference?

Unless your hubcaps are made of lead, they weigh almost nothing. A premature baby could toss frisbee-toss them 20 feet. Huge difference x infiinitesimal weight = not that big a deal.

If you're going to be worrying about hubcaps, you're going to want to worry about your wheel balance weights too.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Christ, I get 24 MPG combined with ~60% city and ~40% highway in my V6 Fusion, and I'm not easy on the throttle either.

If you're feathering it everywhere and still getting horrible mileage, I highly suggest a tune-up. I also suggest removing anything that's unnecessary from your car, like if you're lugging around a crate full of odds and ends and a stuffed gym bag in the trunk... or in this case, a gym bag stuffed with barbells.

 

[angry hampster]

OP, your muffler bearings are probably going out. KaleCo sells universal ones:
http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10

Should get you back to where you're supposed to be.

 

[sjwaste]

Are these the stock hubcaps or spinners?

I'd get a set of spinning hubcaps. From a dead stop, they'll still have some stored momentum to get you moving faster.

That's gas savings.