Can Dimples Improve Fuel Efficiency?

A company called Fastskinz thinks so. They've created a vinyl car wrap based on the aerodynamic evidence from golf balls that an uneven surface creates less drag. Popular Mechanics puts the theory to the test.

2 minute read

May 12, 2009, 12:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


"Since the early 20th century, golf ball makers have known that small irregularities-dimples-on the surface of balls created longer and truer drives than balls with smooth surfaces. In short, the dimples help delay the airflow separation from the ball and create a smaller wake of air behind, so there's less drag. "A golf ball is a bluff body and most of the drag is due to airflow separation-the flow cannot close behind the ball and stay attached," says Steve Ogg, vice president of golf ball research and development for Callaway. "The dimples transition the flow from a smooth laminar state to chaotic turbulent state. The turbulent mixing increases the momentum of the air at the surface of the ball, allowing it to stay attached longer." A car is obviously not the same type of shape as a golf ball, but the idea behind MPG-Plus is that dimples on a car body could have a similar effect. In automotive aerodynamics, the surface of the car is "dealing with turbulent flow," says Bill Pien, supervisor of aerodynamics in Ford Vehicle Engineering. "In normal operation, the skin friction accounts for no more then 1 percent of the total drag since the main drag generation mechanism is the vehicle shape," he says.

Fastskinz thinks there is still efficiency to be gained. They claim that the improved fuel economy of a vehicle wrapped in MPG-Plus compared with an identical vehicle not wrapped is 18 to 20 percent."

Monday, May 11, 2009 in Popular Mechanics

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight