Why does my car drive "smoother" after I wash it?

[grohl]

Someone pointed this out to me and I laughed .. but over the years I swear its true... why?

 

[Firetower]

placebo effect

 

[techs]

Something to do with the humidity?

 

[lxskllr]

Define smoother. Other than placebo, you might have worn out rubber that makes it a bit smoother after washing. That's about it though.

 

[Genx87]

I would say it isnt driving smoother as much as it is driving quieter due to less dirt.

 

[grohl]

I know its in my head. Smoother, quieter, I don't know. I find it hilarious.

 

[zinfamous]

It also increases horsepower by about 10.

And remember to always inflate your tires to sidewall.

 

[gaidensensei]

Due to the aerodynamics of wind resistance and it's impact against small water particles, it acts similar as if it were an invisible chassis that is able to mend with the structure formed by the air molecules.

Thus in turn, less friction is produced. Friction from liquids is different from that of solid-gas impact. The water molecules begins by exerting a net drag on the car, and tends to give that "smoother" driving as you experienced.




Just kidding, that was totally made up. But I would imagine that water friction plays a minor role against air resistance until it's gone from the car.

 

[meltdown75]

because it's happy.

 

[joesmoke]

those are speed holes...

 

[nerp]

Your imagination.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

maybe due to a build up of mud within the wheels. That gets washed out so that your wheels are no longer off balance.

 

[HannibalX]

Why does my car drive "smoother" after I wash it?D

Ask a chiropractor.

 

[dighn]

it's cleaner so less friction. the performance enhancement is about 3.6x10^-19 but well within human perception.

 

[Matthiasa]

It isn't, at least noticeably anyways.

 

[gimmewhitecastles]

My car runs "smoother" when I fill it up with a full tank of gas.

 

[HannibalX]

My car runs "smoother" when I fill it up with a full tank of gas.

Makes sense.

 

[dguy6789]

Same reason a pc runs faster when it has just been dusted.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Cleaning removes billions of forein particles on the suface, some of these have a higher static electricity reaction with the air then the surface of the vehicle. As air rushes by it creates a charge, causing the car to pull the air with it, all this air builds up and stays electrostaticly charged with the car, creating drag.

 

[Evadman]

You can get 10% better gas mileage by dimpling your car like a golf ball.

 

[SlitheryDee]

The appreciative stares you imagine people are giving your car cause you to not notice the little bumps that are still present. Or you notice the bumps and rattles, but they are "clean car" bumps and rattles, which differ from "dirty car" bumps and rattles in no way other than being more acceptable to the driver. That is to say, you are not as critical of your car when it is clean, and therefore perceive it to drive smoother.

 

[amdhunter]

Same reason a pc runs faster when it has just been dusted.

lol, mine really does feel faster.

 

[3chordcharlie]

It also increases horsepower by about 10.

A common misconception, but the power increase is more likely the result of installing white-faced guages.

 

[zinfamous]

lol, mine really does feel faster.

that's because it's yellow.

Everyone knows that yellow paint increases 0-60 by ~ 0.08 seconds.

 

[zinfamous]

A common misconception, but the power increase is more likely the result of installing white-faced guages.

don't forget the type R sticker.