What I like about the new F150 is it shows how much engineering went into it to improve aerodynamics. In front of each front tire is a duct that grabs air from the front and forces it around the outside of the front wheels, creating a blanket of air to reduce drag on the front wheels.

In that Mythbusters episode, they did scientific research with water flows and dye to show what happens when the tailgate is removed. Quite a difference in the two.

 

No MPG savings.
Been debunked many times.



I've always admired that little feature in the front wheel wells.

 

Might as well link the video for the 2015+ then

 

Other little things that were done to improve aero is the chin spoiler, the curved rear window, and the sides of the bed at the back where it comes in right before the tail light.


Not sure if anyone has ever noticed, but when it's mucky out and you're on the highway, your entire truck will be dirty, and the cleanest parts will be the rear window, inside the bed, and your tail lights. These are all cues of the aerodynamics doing their job of not pulling air along with you and creating turbulence. I do wish more could have been done to the underside to smooth it out though.

 

I had never really thought about it like that but yes I have noticed that as well.
Especially the tail lights, there is hardly ever mud/dirt/snow on them...first time I noticed that gave it a big 'huh' in disbelieve that they were clean.

 

Great find.

 

OK now that's kind of funny that he says a tonneau cover is helpful.

I found this from a SEMA study:
"That means that the best case fuel economy improvement is 1.35 mpg at 85 mph, and 0.63 mpg at 65 mph."

Full article:
http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/bl...-economy-myth/

Cliffnotes: Tonneau covers reduce aerodynamic drag quite a bit at up to 7.8% at 85mph, but that reduction of drag only increases fuel economy AT MOST 1.35mpg at 85 and 0.63mpg at 65mph.

Keeping your tires properly inflated makes a bigger difference. Or driving less than 65mph.

 

But where is the fun in that lol

 

I sure can't do it!

 

So, instead of 15 MPG at 80, 17 MPG? I wonder what a topper does though. Had one on my last two trucks, the 14 got 19-21 MPG, but prior to the cap, didn't see any higher than that. It was too cold when I got my current truck and got the topper a few weeks after getting the truck, so can't say what, if any the difference is.