Gravity Aerodynamics

[hmp10]

I have noticed a couple of things about the airflow around the Gravity. It seems to get noticeably fewer bug hits on the nose and windshield than our Air when driving in the same place and conditions although it has a significantly larger frontal service. Has anyone else noticed this?

But, boy, the rear hatch window and the underside of the upper spoiler seems to attract dust and what looks like roadway exhaust residue like a magnet. I washed the car yesterday and drove it to dinner. When I looked the car over this morning, the upper rear hatch was covered with fine particles. I took a damp cloth to wipe it down before spraying it with glass cleaner, and the rag came away looking like I had cleaned up behind a chimney sweep.

Our Air collects dust starting under the trunk lip more than other cars I have owned, but the Gravity seems to take it a step further.

 

[9point81]

I have noticed a couple of things about the airflow around the Gravity. It seems to get noticeably fewer bug hits on the nose and windshield than our Air when driving in the same place and conditions although it has a significantly larger frontal service. Has anyone else noticed this?

But, boy, the rear hatch window and the underside of the upper spoiler seems to attract dust and what looks like roadway exhaust residue like a magnet. I washed the car yesterday and drove it to dinner. When I looked the car over this morning, the upper rear hatch was covered with fine particles. I took a damp cloth to wipe it down before spraying it with glass cleaner, and the rag came away looking like I had cleaned up behind a chimney sweep.

Our Air collects dust starting under the trunk lip more than other cars I have owned, but the Gravity seems to take it a step further.

As I cleaned a massive amount of bugs off the front end after I drove thru the GA and AL country side, I would say I get as many, if not more bugs compared to my Taycan or even my previous Dodge Chargers. Tho maybe slightly less bugs than my wife's EV9, so there may be a little something to that....

 

[hmp10]

As I cleaned a massive amount of bugs off the front end after I drove thru the GA and AL country side, I would say I get as many, if not more bugs compared to my Taycan or even my previous Dodge Chargers. Tho maybe slightly less bugs than my wife's EV9, so there may be a little something to that....

I guess love bug season here in Florida will be the real test:

Some years back we made the mistake of heading across south central Florida without realizing we were in love bug season. After stopping at several gas stations to recover a view through the windshield, we finally stopped at a grocery store to buy a 6-pack of paper towels and a gallon of windshield washer fluid. We'd drive for miles without anything notable and then suddenly hit a swarm. It was like a bucket of mud being thrown on the windshield. As soon as we were out of the swarm, we'd pull over and grab the paper towels and washer fluid before they could dry and get too hard. It was well beyond anything the wipers could handle.

 

[9point81]

I guess love bug season here in Florida will be the real test:

View attachment 33754

Some years back we made the mistake of heading across south central Florida without realizing we were in love bug season. After stopping at several gas stations to recover a view through the windshield, we finally stopped at a grocery store to buy a 6-pack of paper towels and a gallon of windshield washer fluid. We'd drive for miles without anything notable and then suddenly hit a swarm. It was like a bucket of mud being thrown on the windshield. As soon as we were out of the swarm, we'd pull over and grab the paper towels and washer fluid before they could dry and get too hard. It was well beyond anything the wipers could handle.

yikes! The only thing comparable in our area is in Decatur ALnear the river on some summer nights. It can be absolutely devastating driving thru the swarms. The south is not friendly to vehicles...

 

[hmp10]

yikes! The only thing comparable in our area is in Decatur ALnear the river on some summer nights. It can be absolutely devastating driving thru the swarms. The south is not friendly to vehicles...

Having lived in the south with bugs and heat, and New England and the upper midwest with snow and road salt, vehicles really have to take a lot. My favorite stint was in Los Angeles where a car could be kept looking nice for days on end with only a few swipes from a California Duster.

 

[borski]

Having lived in the south with bugs and heat, and New England and the upper midwest with snow and road salt, vehicles really have to take a lot. My favorite stint was in Los Angeles where a car could be kept looking nice for days on end with only a few swipes from a California Duster.

Yeah, *this*side’s South works great for vehicles heh

 

[hmp10]

Yeah, *this*side’s South works great for vehicles heh

Well, the suspensions took a beating, but the paint looked great!

 

[electric]

rear hatch window and the underside of the upper spoiler seems to attract dust and what looks like roadway exhaust residue like a magnet.

yes to this part, my Quick Quack carwash membership is working overtime with Gravity.
Mostly because the car attracts so much attention that I'm embarassed to have it dirty like my old car usually was.
I also noticed that Gravity accumulates a lot of water in its body crevices, it runs off for a long time after carwash and requires a lot of wiping.
In years of driving a white Model Y I never bothered to wipe it after a carwash.

 

[hmp10]

I also noticed that Gravity accumulates a lot of water in its body crevices, it runs off for a long time after carwash and requires a lot of wiping.

Our Air was the "drippiest" car I've ever owned . . . until we got a Gravity.

I first use a rubber squeegee blade to wipe off heavy droplets. Then I use a leaf blower to blow out all the trim and crevices, including the side mirrors and the door handles (which are all sizable water reservoirs). Then I towel off the car. Then I open the frunk and the rear hatch to unleash a torrent of drainage Then I blow everything again with the leaf blower. Then I close the frunk and the rear hatch to unleash a new torrent of heavy dripping from different places and directions. Then I repeat the whole process again (except for the rubber squeegee), using three full-size towels and draining the leaf blower battery in the process.

It takes longer to dry the car than to wash it.

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

The front does seem to get fewer bugs. The back is definitely a magnet for dirt and particles for whatever reason. Especially up toward top of rear windshield and spoiler.