Does anyone have any experience with the range impact of removing the Aero inserts? I'm debating the merits of 19" wheels vs 20" on the Touring before I finalize my order. I like the looks of the 20" better, but the 19s don't seem so bad once the Aero inserts are removed. Wondering what that would do to range...
Aero inserts
- Thread starter mraschko
- Start date
If you use the Model 3 insert vs none insert test, it's 5% range hit
So, I initially had taken off my aero covers on my 19 inch rims and was averaging 3.7 mi/kwh with mix of local and highway driving. I would get up to 4.2 mi/kwh when driving long distances on highway. Once the temperature dropped, I noticed a significant drop in my efficiency and was averaging 2.8-3.0 mi/kwh. I decided to put the aero rims back on for my 25 mile commute to work and while this is just a short test, I averaged 3.7 mi/kwh when outside temp was 33 degrees. Could the aero rims account for such a large increase in efficiency? I plan to keep them on for a couple weeks and get more data.
Are you getting that efficiency at cold temps on the all seasons 19s or the winter tires? I have the winters and I barely crack 3 mi/kWh.
Yes. They are the OEM 19 all season tires. Definitely had to increase tire pressure back to 49 as cold temps caused decrease. I am getting 3.5 average now with mixed driving but will get higher if just highway driving. Overall pretty happy with range. Will probably take covers off again in Springtime.
Gotcha. The winter tires, also at 49 psi, just don’t do as well for range as the all seasons I suspect. I got better range with the 21 summer tires but in warmer weather than the 19s with winter tires.
Makes sense. I figured I’d see how the all season tires did this first winter. If grip wasn’t good enough, would get some winter tires. Luckily haven’t really had any snow yet in NJ
Any update between covers on and off?
Aero covers definitely seem to make a difference . Hard to make scientific and exact because temperature seems to be changing a lot- had a week with very low temps from 10-20 degrees and then anywhere from 40-55 degrees. Also my commute is 25 miles each way which are mostly highway but NJ traffic can be highly variable. Best estimate is that for me the covers add back anywhere from 10-15%. I am actually surprised that they make that much difference. Definitely seem to see a higher difference with highway driving for long stretches. I think for now, I will leave them on during cold weather months and take them off during Spring and summer.
Steveinarizona
Active Member
I have a proposal. Several cities have periodic group meetups and drives. It would be interesting to have some do the drive with the covers and some without. Driving in a caravan everyone has the same speed, election changes, etc. We would then have real life experience.
I am also in NJ but I don’t drive much because I work from home. I had the covers off since delivery and I am currently averaging 3.5 mi/kWh
The chrome cap just pops off. I carefully used a flat screwdriver to pry it off.
I was averaging roughly the same 3.5-3.7 with mixed driving without aero inserts. I did a couple longer drives to family in Boston area and averaged 4.1 when temps were in 70’s. The car definitely does much better when you don’t need to repeatedly stop and restart.
When you removed the inserts, did you also swap out the black center caps for silver caps? I'm wondering what the procedure is for removing and re-installing the inserts. Do you have to remove the wheels to install the inserts?
The aero inserts are easy to snap off and reinsert. The silver cap and black lug nuts can be bought from Lucid directly for around $120 ( can’t remember exact price). You do not need to remove the wheels when putting on or replacing inserts. I put all four back on while it was parked in my garage and only took about 5 minutes. Just need to line up the hole in the insert with the stem of the tire so it fits right and you can inflate if necessary in future.
I looked more closely at my aero inserts; the center black cap is glued onto the insert, so I can see how this whole assembly would just pop off and on. When I picked up my car I had them install the black lugnuts and silver center caps (see pic). I didn't see the silver caps before they were installed, but it appears the silver caps actually pop into the center wheel hub on the car. In order to snap on the black aero inserts, I need to have the silver caps removed. I'm thinking this might require removing the wheel and pushing the cap from the reverse side (just a guess). I really like the look with silver center cap, but if I'm right about getting the silver caps off to install the aero inserts, it certainly complicates the issue.
