mud flaps and Fuel efficiency

ghirl · 01-10-2006, 07:50 PM

Can somenone tell me if installing mud flaps will decrease the Prius's fuel efficiency??

slortz · 01-10-2006, 08:09 PM

This question came up not too long ago and I believe someone made a calculated guesstimation that it would only be about a 1 mpg hit. Wish I could find the topic and link you to it. Maybe you'll have better luck searching for it. I'm not too good at digging up old topics on this site.

seasalsa · 01-10-2006, 08:26 PM

No, the mud flaps will not have a noticable effect on MPG. Most of the old threads are gone but even Evan found that the benifit far outweighed any possible loss.

ghirl · 01-11-2006, 08:03 AM

Thanks, I guess I will add the flpas to my prius. Another question, can someone tell me what the cars that pile up on the graph of the consumption screen symbolize? And an unrelated question is while going though a car wash can you just put the prius in neutral as you would any other car?

bruceha_2000 · 01-11-2006, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ghirl@Jan 11 2006, 08:03 AM
Another question, can someone tell me what the cars that pile up on the graph of the consumption screen symbolize?

50 Watts of electricity per full 'leaf car' put into the big battery - from regen or coasting generation only, does not include excess ICE alternator output.

Quote:

And an unrelated question is while going though a car wash can you just put the prius in neutral as you would any other car?

Yes. Push the shifter to the left and hold it a second or two. Also, remove (unscrew) the antenna as it could be damaged by some 'touch' car wash places with the big cloth strips or the like.

c4 · 01-11-2006, 10:06 AM

There's so much turbulence around the wheels that the mud flaps do not contribute *any* noticeable hit to MPG.. The real hit, is small and fractional so even 1 MPG is a gross *over*estimation IMO.. I certainly do not see any difference in mileage before and after on my car, but I do see a big increase in vehicle cleanliness as the flaps really do help keep stuff from being flung up onto the fenders and the doors..

tbstout2 · 01-11-2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by c4@Jan 11 2006, 10:06 AM
There's so much turbulence around the wheels that the mud flaps do not contribute *any* noticeable hit to MPG.. The real hit, is small and fractional so even 1 MPG is a gross *over*estimation IMO.. I certainly do not see any difference in mileage before and after on my car, but I do see a big increase in vehicle cleanliness as the flaps really do help keep stuff from being flung up onto the fenders and the doors..

[snapback]187703[/snapback]

I agree with C4... get 'em on your car! They are worth it and do not make any MPG difference.

Also, NEVER drive a Prius thru a "touch" car wash! Ack! It'll scratch your paint. Shame on you, bruceha_2000!

bruceha_2000 · 01-11-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tbstout2@Jan 11 2006, 10:12 AM
Also, NEVER drive a Prius thru a "touch" car wash! Ack! It'll scratch your paint. Shame on you, bruceha_2000!

It isn't a frequent occurance

I wash it maybe 3 times a year and generally that is in the winter after a big salt spread so I can get the under carriage cleaned off. I don't think we have any touchless car washes locally though there are some do-it-yourselfs. Not sure I want to lay on the ground to get everything underneath clean

cdavid · 01-11-2006, 10:22 AM

I second the above, never, never, run any vehicle through a carwash. You'll put fine scratches in the clear coat, the car will look less nice each time, collect dirt more quickly. Put a good sealant on your car, hand wash it every few weeks. It will clean very easily.

hdrygas · 01-11-2006, 11:02 AM

I noticed no measurable difference when I added mine and they do keep the care looking better longer.

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01-10-2006, 07:50 PM	#1
ghirl Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newton, Massachusetts Posts: 36 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Can somenone tell me if installing mud flaps will decrease the Prius's fuel efficiency??

01-10-2006, 08:09 PM	#2
slortz Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 316 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	This question came up not too long ago and I believe someone made a calculated guesstimation that it would only be about a 1 mpg hit. Wish I could find the topic and link you to it. Maybe you'll have better luck searching for it. I'm not too good at digging up old topics on this site.

01-10-2006, 08:26 PM	#3
seasalsa Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,198 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	No, the mud flaps will not have a noticable effect on MPG. Most of the old threads are gone but even Evan found that the benifit far outweighed any possible loss.

01-11-2006, 08:03 AM	#4
ghirl Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newton, Massachusetts Posts: 36 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks, I guess I will add the flpas to my prius. Another question, can someone tell me what the cars that pile up on the graph of the consumption screen symbolize? And an unrelated question is while going though a car wash can you just put the prius in neutral as you would any other car?

01-11-2006, 10:06 AM	#6
c4 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 523 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	There's so much turbulence around the wheels that the mud flaps do not contribute any noticeable hit to MPG.. The real hit, is small and fractional so even 1 MPG is a gross overestimation IMO.. I certainly do not see any difference in mileage before and after on my car, but I do see a big increase in vehicle cleanliness as the flaps really do help keep stuff from being flung up onto the fenders and the doors..

01-11-2006, 10:22 AM	#9
cdavid Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 141 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I second the above, never, never, run any vehicle through a carwash. You'll put fine scratches in the clear coat, the car will look less nice each time, collect dirt more quickly. Put a good sealant on your car, hand wash it every few weeks. It will clean very easily.

01-11-2006, 11:02 AM	#10
hdrygas Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Olympia Wa Posts: 3,650 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I noticed no measurable difference when I added mine and they do keep the care looking better longer.