Could Golf Ball-like dimples increase car mileage? Apparently YES.
It is well-known that “Dimpled balls fly farther than non-dimpled balls” (wikipedia). Also there’s been some time since I first heard about the hypothesis that similar dimples in aircraft fuselage or cars bodies would make them more energy-efficient. But that was all about this theory. I didn’t see any development that would make it to the mass produced products.
Apparently The Mythbusters, the popular Discovery Channel show, did some work on this one. And the result was one that would make all green hypermilers droll: over 29 mpg improvement for a Ford Taurus covered with 1000 dimples.
Mythbusters' Ford Taurus covered in golf ball-like dimples
This could be huge as car manufacturers are struggling to lower the car mileage as much as possible to get a better eco-image and, more importantly, to be able to qualify for incentives so many clients will choose their cars.
I would also suggest car makers to consider sharkskin micrometer-fine patterns for the fuselage and plastics inside the car (which by the way should be the bioplastic sort).
You can watch this video on autobloggreen website:
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