Aerodynamic front bumper license plate frame?

[ForTheGlory]

Originally Posted by patsparks

If duck bill shape was better I think Boeing would be all over it by now.

There are Reynolds Number effects that make the two vehicles difficult to compare, but in general you're right that "things would commonly look that way if it was better". I agree this this is a "solution to a problem that doesn't exist".

Nonetheless, it would be interesting to try to measure the effect of these things. My gut feeling is that the extra drag added by the surface area of the duck bill would offset any purported airflow shaping gain. If the Pirus were an airfoil shape (which it isn't, but let's think of it that way for now), the front license plate would be at or near the "stagnation point" of the shape in profile. The air doesn't move very much at this point, and thus it doesn't really matter what the surface looks like.

[sy27295]

Patsparks, patparks, patparks!!!!!

Why can't you be positive. You are surrounded by water. If we cut down on Carbon, it will benefit you the most (or your grandchildren) than anybody lives in Nepal.

Please be positive and get on with the class, OK?

Say Hi to the Koala Bears and Kangroos for us

Peace

[xsmatt81]

off topic here, but you can check with your city DMV to find if you even need a front plate. In las vegas anyway, you only need one or the other. My car had no pre-cut holes or plate installed when bought. And DMV said it was fine, as long as I had a plate on the rear. You could do the dashboard thing, but it's kinda of "ghetto"

[Linden]

I almost thought I had a rock dent on the front of my prius .. until I realized it was where you'd install the front license plate holder .. only clued in because of the identical dent on the opposite side.

We don't have front license plates.

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by sy27295

Patsparks, patparks, patparks!!!!!

Why can't you be positive. You are surrounded by water. If we cut down on Carbon, it will benefit you the most (or your grandchildren) than anybody lives in Nepal.

Please be positive and get on with the class, OK?

Say Hi to the Koala Bears and Kangroos for us

Peace

Because I live on a hill (really) and would like to live at the beach.

Because it would be better for the environment if you spent your money on shares in a bluegum plantation than this.

[ZIPPCO USA]

Hello Sea Wolf,

Your prayers have been answered! Believe it or not, I'm the one that makes a truly Aerodynamic License Plate cover. Go to Craigslist Seattle & search "aerodynamic license plate cover" it'll blow you away.

2 years ago I contacted Priuschat.com & sent them samples of my aerodynamic license plate covers to test, but they opted not to carry them.

Funny thing is, the aerodynamic Front License Plate issue is one of the most talked about subjects in the Prius Chat forum, & other hybrid forums? So Sea Wolf, it seems you have some friends on Prius Chat, if you can stir things up with forum members to try and convince PriusChat.com to reconsider carrying aero lic covers, I'll send you a ZIPPCO USA cover for Free.

And yes, a flat front lic plate on the front of a Prius or Insight is a crime, just read what I say about it on Craigslist, it'll blow you away.

TKS
Dan

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

Has anyone seen it? I am not satisfy with the current OEM set up. It just seems flat and not aerodynamic.

A week ago, I saw a Prius with it's license plate mounted on the lower grill at the driver's side. When I saw that, I was wondering why the owner did that. I now understand it was probably for the aerodynamic reasons.

Has anyone done it? If so, it the result measurable?

I am looking for a license plate frame that curves like the front bumper instead of perfectly flat.

[JimboPalmer]

Just a comment, you can find airplanes with unaerodynamic front ends, but none with unaerodynamic back ends. You may be fixing the wrong problem.

[usbseawolf2000]

Dan,

Thanks for the offer! Finally, someone came up with a product!

My initial reaction of it after seeing it is not very pleasing. I am keeping my mind open and will try it. I will write a review of my experience as well.

Link to the post: Revolutionary Aerodynamic Front License Plate Cover for Hybrid Cars!

[usbseawolf2000]

Originally Posted by JimboPalmer

Just a comment, you can find airplanes with unaerodynamic front ends, but none with unaerodynamic back ends. You may be fixing the wrong problem.

No part of the front of that airplane is flat. I only see the paths the air can go around it.

The license plate is a flat rectangular plate, the initial point of the aero drag. Something has to be done....

I also noted about the Toyota "T" badge not being aerodynamic. Guess what? 2010 Prius "T" badge is now a smooth round surface.

License plate varies from countries from countries. I believe it is the reason it is out of Toyota's control to design it. In fact, the cars are shipped without license plate frames from the factory.

So, it is up to the dealer or after-market to come up with an aerodynamic license plate designs.

I was thinking of a sharp or round "arrow head" in front of the center of the plate. The job of this head is to break the air upon initial impact to go around the license plate. It has to be made with a flexible material so it is durable for the "parking accidents".

[zonie911]

Originally Posted by jhall

I got a license plate frame that has a "bubble shield" plastic cover over it. I got it at Kragen. I couldn't find it on the Kragen web site, but it is something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Cruiser-74200-Bubble...806&sr=1-14

I also like it because the "smoke" matches well with my window tint, and it's easier to clean bugs off of than the bare license plate. I have also seen clear ones.

Yes, those tinted cover shields look good, too. I had to take mine off my previous car and cannot use on my Pri, because as last July, Tennessee lawmakers made it illegal to use any cover shield color tone that might inhibit visibility of the license plate. Basically, they could legally say that even the clear cover shields affected visibility, saying that the sun reflected too much or some other visibility problems.
You understand? mo money - mo money
Yes, you're right, I got a citation.