[Ducati] NDC- Engine vs aero drag.

[Steve Abramson]

My daughter, away at college, calls me when she is with her school chums and asks random questions about the physical world that All-Knowing Dad must have the answer for. Today's actually was an interesting one. I thought I knew the answer, but figured I'd put it out here for the formidable array of minds within the group to chime in on. Here goes- If you are driving (a car) at highway speed, what caused more overall drag (either aero or mechanical) to lower your gas mileage- having the AC on with windows closed, or AC off with windows open. Her friends all thought it would be the latter, although I think the AC will lower mileage more. Tough to answer, I would think, definitively, factoring in different body shapes and drivetrains. Any takers?



Steve

'94 900cr (newly mono-ed)