Mythbusters Golf Ball Car: Revolutionary Fuel Efficiency Discovery

In an exhilarating episode of Mythbusters, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman tackled one of the most intriguing myths in automotive aerodynamics. The myth in question? Whether a car covered in dents, similar to the dimples on a golf ball, would be more fuel-efficient.

Adam Savage recounts, "The most shocking myth we ever busted was related to car aerodynamics. The myth suggested that a car covered in dents, akin to a golf ball, would achieve better fuel efficiency. To test this, we covered a car in clay and meticulously added dents. Astonishingly, we observed a 14% improvement in fuel efficiency."

The results were indeed groundbreaking, sparking curiosity and debates among viewers and automotive experts alike. One commenter noted, "It also speaks to the willingness to try stuff for efficiency, which this car company did. An increase in efficiency this big would be amazing in reducing the carbon emissions of said car. So why not try it?"

The episode highlighted not just the experiment but also the aftermath. A year later, one of the big three automakers took an interest in the Mythbusters' findings. They tested the theory with one of their SUV models using clay models with dents and ran wind tunnel tests. However, their results did not match the Mythbusters' findings.

"There's probably a special relation between the depth of the dent and diameter of the dent and the speed of travel. Air currents are affected by variables, so you need the right combination to get an improvement," another commenter observed.

The episode remains a fan favorite, with many recalling the moment Jamie Hyneman burst into laughter upon hearing the results. "I still remember the grand reveal after the test, where Jamie breaks down laughing after Adam tells him the result. To this day, it remains a highlight from that show surpassing every explosion they ever set off," a fan reminisced.

Despite the promising results from the Mythbusters' experiment, the practical application of such a design in the automotive industry remains a challenge. Fabrication complexities and long-term issues such as water retention in the dents pose significant hurdles.

"Also, the dents would hold water, which would be a problem for the car long term, right?" questioned a viewer. Another added humorously, "Yeah, that’s the reason I haven’t fixed the dents in my truck after a nasty hail storm, totally the reason…."

Nonetheless, the idea of applying golf ball aerodynamics to cars continues to fascinate. While some new electric vehicles feature dimpled designs to improve aerodynamics, the universal application of this concept is still under exploration. One user humorously noted, "Hail damaged cars go faster."

The Mythbusters episode not only entertained but also inspired further inquiry into automotive efficiency, proving once again the show's unique blend of science and spectacle.