Moon-style hubcaps: What's the break-even point? - Fuelly Forums

Click here to see important news regarding the aCar App

Go Back   Fuelly Forums > Fuel Talk > General Fuel Topics
Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-01-2008, 11:01 AM   #1
Registered Member
 
Thermactor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 16
Country: United States
Moon-style hubcaps: What's the break-even point?

I see people around this website with Bonneville salt-flats style "moon" brushed disc hubcaps on their rides. Looking on eBay and other places, the going rate for these is generally no less than $100 for a set, delivered. I can walk into Wal-Mart and buy a set of generic hubcaps for $13.99. My question is, is there a definite and measurable MPG gain from buying the moon hubcaps, over regular hubcaps? Or is it just a fashion statement among hypermilers?

One of the things about saving gas is saving money too, and it wouldn't make sense to spend more money to save gas than you would on saving that gas.
__________________

__________________
Thermactor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2008, 11:58 AM   #2
Supporting Member
 
cfg83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,779
Country: United States
Thermactor -

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thermactor View Post
I see people around this website with Bonneville salt-flats style "moon" brushed disc hubcaps on their rides. Looking on eBay and other places, the going rate for these is generally no less than $100 for a set, delivered. I can walk into Wal-Mart and buy a set of generic hubcaps for $13.99. My question is, is there a definite and measurable MPG gain from buying the moon hubcaps, over regular hubcaps? Or is it just a fashion statement among hypermilers?

One of the things about saving gas is saving money too, and it wouldn't make sense to spend more money to save gas than you would on saving that gas.
Here's a set for $40-$50, but there will also be the cost of installation :

"MOON" Style Spun Aluminum Racing Wheel Disks
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOON-...ayphotohosting

You missed the "ebay-bargain-window" last year where one e-bay site was selling 4-disk snap-in sets for $30. Here is a "snap-in" set for $71 :

15" STAINLESS STEEL RACING DISK FULL MOON HUBCAPS NEW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15-ST...ayphotohosting

If you search the GasSaver threads, you will see that people "got creative" with normal hubcaps and just "filled in the gaps" :

Hubcaps?
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=1539

brake temps -how hot is too hot?
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=1449

I think this is a good canditate for filling :

STYLE 69 WHEEL COVER SET
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...p?Ntt=hub+caps
Attachment 1140

Here is one with fewer holes, so maybe easier to fill :

STYLE 59 WHEEL COVER SET
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...p?Ntt=hub+caps
Attachment 1141

Here is an example of the "pizza pan" solution :

Disk Wheelcovers
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=5642

I agree that all mods should have a "cost of return" calculation associated with them, but there is also the "GasSaving as a hobby" factor. A lot of people spend thousands of dollars on a turbo to gain X HP. They don't do it to save money. I have a nightmare of a commute, so this is my hobby (aka makin' lemonade).

If you want the lowest cost racing disk option, get creative and make a set out of cheap flat plastic (pizza?) pans (plastic => light). It's *finding* the pans that will cost you time, but not much money.

This GasSaver thread tries to rank mods based on cost-effectiveness, so I think you want to read this :

list of gas saving tips from best to worst
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=2584

It just depends on what floats your boat.

CarloSW2
Attached Images
   
__________________

__________________
Old School SW2 EPA ... New School Civic EPA :

What's your EPA MPG? https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/calculatorSelectYear.jsp
cfg83 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 09:23 AM   #3
Registered Member
 
SL8Brick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 180
Country: United States
Here's what I have on my Wife's 2003 VW Golf:

http://www.germanautoparts.com/image...1C0601147E.jpg

Volkswagen part# 1C0601147E HRN - MSRP @ the dealer is $42.37ea....but germanautoparts.com sells them for only $28.00ea.
They're OE on euro-market Beetles, but will fit any Mk4 Golf/Jetta w/OE 15" steelies. They're pretty smooth & sit almost flush with the tire, but they still have "phone-dial holes" for sensible venting for the brakes.
__________________
1993 Volvo 240 Wagon - 323k miles (awaiting recommissioning)
1999 Audi A6 Avant Quattro - 149k miles(the NEW daily driver)
SL8Brick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 09:24 AM   #4
Registered Member
 
brucepick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 722
Country: United States
Location: Connecticut
Hey SL8Brick,
Any word on your car?
My wife's in Philadelphia today but I'm up here in CT.

EDIT [sorry for OT!]
__________________
Currently getting +/- 50 mpg in fall weather. EPA is 31/39 so not too shabby. WAI, fuel cutoff switch, full belly pan, smooth wheel covers.

Now driving '97 Civic HX; tires ~ 50 psi. '89 Volvo 240 = semi-retired.
brucepick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 09:45 AM   #5
Registered Member
 
SL8Brick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 180
Country: United States
Quote:
Originally Posted by brucepick View Post
Hey SL8Brick,
Any word on your car?
(Sorry for O/T)
No word yet...hope to have answers tomorrow.
__________________
1993 Volvo 240 Wagon - 323k miles (awaiting recommissioning)
1999 Audi A6 Avant Quattro - 149k miles(the NEW daily driver)
SL8Brick is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
People are so ignorant Compaq888 General Discussion (Off-Topic) 5 12-18-2005 06:31 PM

» Fuelly iOS Apps
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:04 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.