Aero wheels

[jerry33]

One of the annoying things about the original Aero wheels was that there was only a couple of weeks when you could actually order them. You don't need to be Steven Hawking to figure out that they won't sell if they can't be ordered. And then when they were offered in the accessory store, they were ridiculously expensive.

 

[Cloxxki]

One of the annoying things about the original Aero wheels was that there was only a couple of weeks when you could actually order them. You don't need to be Steven Hawking to figure out that they won't sell if they can't be ordered. And then when they were offered in the accessory store, they were ridiculously expensive.

"There is no demand for it" is an excuse I've heard for many an amazing product that was totally within existing engineering and manufacturing capabilities, to simply not be made. A product or variety being totally awesome and doable is not it trigger unless a petition is signed by thousands of prior buyers and handed over in view off assembled press. And even then...
Could we ever get a straight answer from Tesla on their lacklustre wheel offerings?

 

[JRP3]

Mostly it was noise and the two materials scratching against each other (rim and disk). No access to the valve is also a negative.

Could you not use a thin gasket material to stop the scratching and make a hole to access the tire valve? You can get valve extensions if needed.

 

[David99]

Could you not use a thin gasket material to stop the scratching and make a hole to access the tire valve? You can get valve extensions if needed.

I had lots of that kind of material between the rims and disks. It helped, but it would still scratch as the dirt and rain would push in between the gap with great force when you go at high speeds. The guys who made the disks even said, don't be surprised when you hear noises, wheels felx a lot. We tried a lot of things to make them stable and fixed, but there are lots of forces on the wheels. I really wanted to make it work and I spent a lot of time on trying to make it work, but eventually I had to realize it's not going to work as a permanent solution. The only way it would work is an actual rim that is designed to optimize aerodynamics at the wheels.

The problem is that everyone thinks car owners would not buy a closed, disk type rim. There literally thousands of rims available and all go for the open, almost see through look. So no one wants to be the one making something else. But the positive reactions and feedback I got all the time I parked my car from people convinced me that there is a market for a different look!

 

[rlawson4]

I think Toyota did a decent job on their Prius Aero wheel. The black area gives the affect of it being open.

 

[jeff mccabe]

I drive 5000 miles with my closed disks and the difference in range and energy usage is significant. The faster you go, the higher the effect. At 65 mph they added 5% range, at 85 mph the difference was around 8%. I've driven from LA to Minneapolis 4 times and the last time I had the disks on. The energy usage difference was very noticeable.

The reason I had to take them off is that having disks on the wheels causes different problems. Not at all heat. Mostly it was noise and the two materials scratching against each other (rim and disk). No access to the valve is also a negative. I really wish Tesla would make an actual aero wheel that looks decent. I got a lot of very positive feedback for the clean look of the disks. People loved the look. I think not only is there a market for it, it also increases range quite a bit.

David,
Yes this has been my results also. The faster you go the more your gain. A few months ago I took my longest trip with my Aero covers to Southern Ca. from Norhten Ca. This was with four adults in the car and I could keep the watt per mile to just under 300 at 69-70 mph.
I have not noticed any noise from them. This may be because of the sponge tape I used to mount them and the fact that I have five individual inserts, each secured with tape and safety wire.

Jeff

 

[jeff mccabe]

I had lots of that kind of material between the rims and disks. It helped, but it would still scratch as the dirt and rain would push in between the gap with great force when you go at high speeds. The guys who made the disks even said, don't be surprised when you hear noises, wheels felx a lot. We tried a lot of things to make them stable and fixed, but there are lots of forces on the wheels. I really wanted to make it work and I spent a lot of time on trying to make it work, but eventually I had to realize it's not going to work as a permanent solution. The only way it would work is an actual rim that is designed to optimize aerodynamics at the wheels.

The problem is that everyone thinks car owners would not buy a closed, disk type rim. There literally thousands of rims available and all go for the open, almost see through look. So no one wants to be the one making something else. But the positive reactions and feedback I got all the time I parked my car from people convinced me that there is a market for a different look!

David,
I have an idea to quiet your covers down. Use nylon edge trim. It will slide without making noise. Plus It will minimize scuffing of the rim. This is from McMaster.
Push On—Style 7

7/64" __ 17/64" 15/64" 21/64" __ MDS-Filled Nylon
8721K12 1.11 .85
1/8" __ 17/64" 15/64" 21/64" __ Nylon
8721K52 1.78 1.28

 

[JRP3]

I had lots of that kind of material between the rims and disks. It helped, but it would still scratch as the dirt and rain would push in between the gap with great force when you go at high speeds

I wonder if a solution might be to leave a slight gap between the covers and the wheels, where the only contact would be on the lug nuts.

 

[David99]

I wonder if a solution might be to leave a slight gap between the covers and the wheels, where the only contact would be on the lug nuts.

I had that with a prototype of the disks and it was even worse. They would start to vibrate and rattle. The only way to get them quiet was to get a tight fit everywhere.

 

[Ryanv]

What about a vinyl wheel wrap where you don't cut out the areas between spokes? Look on YouTube for vinyl wrap wheels and seems like this would be an easier solution than attaching a piece of plastic or metal.

 

[JRP3]

I'd think the unattached sections of the wrap would vibrate from air pressure forces when driving and either rip, lift off the attached sections, and/or scratch the wheel from trapped dust and dirt.

 

[bxr140]

What about a vinyl wheel wrap where you don't cut out the areas between spokes? Look on YouTube for vinyl wrap wheels and seems like this would be an easier solution than attaching a piece of plastic or metal.

Airflow in and around the wheel wells as well as through the wheels is very conplex, and the pressure differential from one side of an aero cover to the other is probably too much for a thin, flexible material that's basically adhered to the wheel.

They would probably blow out the first time you got on the freeway.

It's not a bad idea, just not the right product. Something that would cure stiffer might be an option.

 

[FlatSix911]

This seems to work well
Tesla Model S 2014-2015 19" Factory OEM Wheel Rim Aero 97531 | eBay

 

[Naonak]

Too bad you can't buy those any more. I see 1 wheel for sale on eBay every few months. I suppose if one were patient, they could order one at a time as they show up and eventually have a set.

 

[wcfinvader]

Anyone ever find a good set of aero wheels? The extra range would help us a ton up here where superchargers are spaced to far apart.

 

[scaesare]

I think Toyota did a decent job on their Prius Aero wheel. The black area gives the affect of it being open.

(zombie thread alert)

Are you saying those are Prius Aero Wheels that have painted black sections instead of actual openings?

 

[David99]

Are you saying those are Prius Aero Wheels that have painted black sections instead of actual openings?

Those are definitely opening. Not an aero wheel.
I really don't understand why there aren't more good aero rims available. They make a big difference.

 

[The Duke]

Are we at active rims yet? Wheels that open and close depending on brake temperature?

With free supercharging and since I don't need more range 5% will not make me change anything. 10% would get me putting on full moon caps for trips. Bolt on moons would be easy to do with the Lexani's as they are very flat near the tire.

 

[JRP3]

I think Ford had a prototype with active louvers.

 

[Evogreen]

I have created a wheel cover for the Model S Turbine wheels, they are not cheap to make but they fit on the wheels with no modification to the wheel. Not sure if anyone is still checking this thread so I will be brief for now. If you have any questions please let me know. Here is a picture.