Yellow Tabs on Wheels

Wonder if it throws the wheels out of balance?

I had the outside aluminum 24.5s off one time to polish them with a buffer, and on the way from MI to FL, noticed a very obvious vibration that was not there the previous trip. It was not much until up around 65 mph.

First thing I did was look at the lug nuts, thinking one wheel was loose. They were all tight, but I noticed I had not put the valve stems on one hub on the drive opposite each other (180 out), and that was enough to set up a substantial imbalance.

Got back to MI, and set the wheel correct, and smooth again. Never would have believed a valve stem could be noticeable like that......

 

Ok so now that we know what those misterious markers are for someone please explai. The funky wheel covers on the schneider tractors please. Aerodinamic? No way.

 

Maybe they are to make SWIFT drivers jealous?

 

I thought that was there for decoration.

 

I was kidding but also really didnt know what they're there for,now I do,thank you.

 

Those disk have been around for awhile. It's all about saving fuel. Just like those whale tails on trailers or side skirts.

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Wheel covers save the air from getting inside the wheel and being thrown back forward. Each wheel is like a bushel basket catching air, especially on a crosswind. It is a lot of drag. Ever notice the wheels on land speed cars and motorcycles at Bonneville. Usually flat disks, with little chance for air to impede...

Drivers and companies tried running wheel covers back in the late 70s, early 80s, but those that did where having problems with theft. Fuel was relatively cheap, and so a lot of the fuel saving ideas went away. Saving fuel is just is just not a recent discovery.

I drove for a manufacturing company that even in the 70s, posted all the drivers fuel mileage in the shipping office every week for all to see....