Whiff of cold air when cornering (in cold weather)
03-14-13, 05:17 AM
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Whiff of cold air when cornering (in cold weather)
Hey folks,
I never posted about this before as it's never bothered me, but the engineer in me is wondering the reason/cause. So when I do a relatively fast (or tight, or combination of the two) corner and the weather is cold outside, I get a whiff of cold air hitting me across the face and chest, even though the interior of the car was warm seconds before.
I presume this has to do with the way the car only focuses hot air on the front of the car (or driver's seat?) based on the HVAC settings.
Has anyone else experienced this? I noticed it all winter on my drive home and never thought much of it, but it happened again today (the weather dropped significantly last night) and just want a reason for it. I'll change the settings on my HVAC to warm up the whole car this afternoon and see if it still persists.
M
I never posted about this before as it's never bothered me, but the engineer in me is wondering the reason/cause. So when I do a relatively fast (or tight, or combination of the two) corner and the weather is cold outside, I get a whiff of cold air hitting me across the face and chest, even though the interior of the car was warm seconds before.
I presume this has to do with the way the car only focuses hot air on the front of the car (or driver's seat?) based on the HVAC settings.
Has anyone else experienced this? I noticed it all winter on my drive home and never thought much of it, but it happened again today (the weather dropped significantly last night) and just want a reason for it. I'll change the settings on my HVAC to warm up the whole car this afternoon and see if it still persists.
M
03-14-13, 07:53 AM
#4
Lexus Champion
Other than hitchhiking ghosts, I have no explanation for this. I'm sure it's not passing through the doors/windows because you would hear that amount of air coming in.
03-14-13, 09:19 AM
#5
It's becasue the air mass inside the cabin is not a homogeneous mix. There are hot spots and cold spots.
Also keep in mind that gas is compressible and "gives" so as you take the turn, your body is simply moving through a cold spot.
You would not feel this effect if the fluid were incompressible because the molecules "move together" with you during the turn.
Also keep in mind that gas is compressible and "gives" so as you take the turn, your body is simply moving through a cold spot.
You would not feel this effect if the fluid were incompressible because the molecules "move together" with you during the turn.
03-14-13, 09:24 AM
#6
It's becasue the air mass inside the cabin is not a homogeneous mix. There are hot spots and cold spots.
Also keep in mind that gas is compressible and "gives" so as you take the turn, your body is simply moving through a cold spot.
You would not feel this effect if the fluid were incompressible because the molecules "move together" with you during the turn.
Also keep in mind that gas is compressible and "gives" so as you take the turn, your body is simply moving through a cold spot.
You would not feel this effect if the fluid were incompressible because the molecules "move together" with you during the turn.
03-14-13, 10:05 AM
#7
Advanced
Thread Starter
It's becasue the air mass inside the cabin is not a homogeneous mix. There are hot spots and cold spots.
Also keep in mind that gas is compressible and "gives" so as you take the turn, your body is simply moving through a cold spot.
You would not feel this effect if the fluid were incompressible because the molecules "move together" with you during the turn.
Also keep in mind that gas is compressible and "gives" so as you take the turn, your body is simply moving through a cold spot.
You would not feel this effect if the fluid were incompressible because the molecules "move together" with you during the turn.
Yes, definitely not coming from outside.
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03-14-13, 11:25 AM
#8
Lead Lap
It could also be that in combination with your arms (on the steering wheel) blocking the hot air flow from the vents as you turn.
03-14-13, 12:18 PM
#9
if your vents are not set to recirc, then there is fresh air coming through the vent which could explain the cold spot. i feel it on my hand when it is on the gear shift also... not all the time just sometimes. maybe that's what you're feeling.
03-14-13, 02:40 PM
#11
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76804690@N05/8557396719/http://www.flickr.com/photos/76804690@N05/8557396719/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/76804690@N05/, on Flickr
03-14-13, 05:53 PM
#13
03-14-13, 06:01 PM
#14
I'm an engineer and I can verify that fluid dynamics (air is actually a fluid) does indeed have a force component when motion is involved. I believe this is one of the causes of the force that pushes occupants toward the front of the vehicle when brakes are suddenly applied. All the air in the back seat rushes forward and presses on the back of your head, forcing you forward. If it wasn't for the seatbelts and AIR-bags (yep, air again), you might smash right into the windshield. Truck drivers without backseats do not suffer this effect as much and tend to survive air impacts much better than people in cars when the two of them collide. It's an engineery thing.
03-14-13, 06:16 PM
#15
Hey folks,
I never posted about this before as it's never bothered me, but the engineer in me is wondering the reason/cause. So when I do a relatively fast (or tight, or combination of the two) corner and the weather is cold outside, I get a whiff of cold air hitting me across the face and chest, even though the interior of the car was warm seconds before.
I presume this has to do with the way the car only focuses hot air on the front of the car (or driver's seat?) based on the HVAC settings.
Has anyone else experienced this? I noticed it all winter on my drive home and never thought much of it, but it happened again today (the weather dropped significantly last night) and just want a reason for it. I'll change the settings on my HVAC to warm up the whole car this afternoon and see if it still persists.
M
I never posted about this before as it's never bothered me, but the engineer in me is wondering the reason/cause. So when I do a relatively fast (or tight, or combination of the two) corner and the weather is cold outside, I get a whiff of cold air hitting me across the face and chest, even though the interior of the car was warm seconds before.
I presume this has to do with the way the car only focuses hot air on the front of the car (or driver's seat?) based on the HVAC settings.
Has anyone else experienced this? I noticed it all winter on my drive home and never thought much of it, but it happened again today (the weather dropped significantly last night) and just want a reason for it. I'll change the settings on my HVAC to warm up the whole car this afternoon and see if it still persists.
M