Just wanted to throw this question out to those of you with a good knowledge of aerodynamics:
My car (2004 Pontiac Grand Prix) is a heavy car. When I coast down mountain grades, it exhibits what I consider to be a non-intuitive pattern. I will use numbers from one particular grade, but it reacts similarly on other grades of sufficient steepness.
If I coast (in neutral) at 75 miles per hour, it will hold its speed steady. If I try to coast at 70 mph, it will lose speed as it travels. At 80 mph, it will accelerate down the grade.
Any thoughts?
Bruce
DISCLAIMER: The above numbers are entirely "hypothetical"... at no time was the actual speed limit surpassed. :gig:
My car (2004 Pontiac Grand Prix) is a heavy car. When I coast down mountain grades, it exhibits what I consider to be a non-intuitive pattern. I will use numbers from one particular grade, but it reacts similarly on other grades of sufficient steepness.
If I coast (in neutral) at 75 miles per hour, it will hold its speed steady. If I try to coast at 70 mph, it will lose speed as it travels. At 80 mph, it will accelerate down the grade.
Any thoughts?
Bruce
DISCLAIMER: The above numbers are entirely "hypothetical"... at no time was the actual speed limit surpassed. :gig:
