Are the wheel covers on the Model 3 with 18" wheels just for looks or do they direct air into the brakes or have some other purpose? I looked in the other posts but could not find comments about the purpose of the wheel covers. Thanks
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Yes it makes the car more efficient by reducing drag, but this is only noticed at speeds above 65mph+ so car is 5% efficient at highway/freeway speeds. Efficiency at speeds below 65mph are insignificantAre the wheel covers on the Model 3 with 18" wheels just for looks or do they direct air into the brakes or have some other purpose? I looked in the other posts but could not find comments about the purpose of the wheel covers. Thanks
I have not seen anyone here saying that they look better... they apparently do reduce aerodynamic drag at higher speeds, so you would get a few percent better efficiency and range in highway driving with them on versus off.Are the wheel covers on the Model 3 with 18" wheels just for looks or do they direct air into the brakes or have some other purpose?
"Bonneville" style wheel covers IMO would be a great aftermarket idea.Why aren't something like this more popular? Wouldn't they be maximally aerodynamic?
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The vents in the OEM covers are likely there to meet whatever minimum brake cooling requirements there are (in the hard use case where the friction brakes are used heavily, as opposed to gentle driving that uses all regenerative braking).Not everyone digs that look, and brake cooling is greatly reduced (but Regen doesn't heat up the brakes.)
Does that mean if the car has the covers on will gain 5% more range?Yes it makes the car more efficient by reducing drag, but this is only noticed at speeds above 65mph+ so car is 5% efficient at highway/freeway speeds. Efficiency at speeds below 65mph are insignificant
More like you’re getting ~5% less range without them (the car’s EPA range was tested/calculated with them on), but yeah, basically that.Does that mean if the car has the covers on will gain 5% more range?
The bottom car looks just like mine--but with wheel covers. The gray color is really a plum color.Replace asap
Many sources but Rimetrix is one good source
We have them on our two M3s
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City driving hub caps offer ZERO battery savings.Yes it makes the car more efficient by reducing drag, but this is only noticed at speeds above 65mph+ so car is 5% efficient at highway/freeway speeds. Efficiency at speeds below 65mph are insignificant
the 18" wheels are not the best looking underneath, the design is putting a wheel cover on for highest efficiency, Tesla's wheel covers are hideous looking vs the uber look from the aftermarket, the difference in range between the covers is negligible, a by product of the cover is rim rash protection...good luckI came here after searching bc i had similar questions. Not trying to stir the pot, but I'm so curious as to why there is an enormous level of interest in hubcaps/wheel covers within the tesla community. I understand the potential aero benefit of the oem covers, but do aftermarket provide similar benefits or just for looks? I just feel like wheel covers would just be hated on in any other car community yet so well embraced here.