this may seem like a really dumb question, but is there any simple, accurate method to calculating frontal area?


frontal area for the tC is estimated to be 24.2 sq ft (according to Car and Driver).

i can calculated a frontal area of 24.844 by taking height in ft multiplied by width in ft and then subtracting the sq ft of the clearance under the car. after all that, add the amount of sq ft the tires occupy.

i'm assuming i'll have to adjust for rounded corners of the car, etc. to reduce it to 24.2 sq ft.


is there a certain percentage i take to account for things such as rounded corners? can somebody explain what i'm doing wrong?


i know search and google are my friends, but this time they ditched me.

 

Sorry!..I failed Math..HaHa..Thats interesting to know!

 

You can do it with Photoshop I think. Take a picture from a standard distance of an area of 1square foot. Then take a picture of your car from the same standard distance. In photoshop, there should be a way to select the area of the square standard and do a pixel count. If it is square, you can do the math yourself with the measure tool. Then select just your car, and do the pixel count. Then use the standard pixel count and divide to get square feet.

Don't quote me, I don't have photoshop anymore, I'm a GIMP user and haven't found this function yet.

Also, you need to practice Google.
http://earth1.epa.gov/otaq/cert/dearmfr/ac_73.pdf

 

Can I ask, why?
The difference between your calculation and Car and drivers is negligable enough to be within a window of error.

 

i lowered my car 1.5", so i'm trying to figure out what the frontal area should be now.

i already tried reducing 1.5" from the height and ground clearance and re-doing my calculations all over again, but i would like to know for sure.

thanks for help so far.

 

IMO, as long as it looks good and you feel satisfied, you don't really need to know the frontal area.

 

yea, i'm satisfied and happy w/ the drop, but that's not the point.

frontal area needed to determine aerodynamics such as new drag coefficient and other things.

i know i'm close, but i'd like to be certain and be as close as possible.
thanks everyone.

 

I think people want to know why? Why does the new drag coefficient matter? It hasnt changed much at all. But lowering the car the only difference in frontal area will be the exposure of the tires to the wind, and that is fairly negligable.
So other than just wanting to know random numbers, why do you want to know?

 

If you lowered it 1.5 inches, then subtract that area from the standard number. Frontal area in square inches - (3 inches x Width of a tire in inches)