Removing Side Mirrors for Better Aerodynamics

[Tech_Guy]

Go ahead and remove the rear view mirrors. You don't really want to see what is in the past. You just need to look cool getting there..........

Keith

[HTMLSpinnr]

Unless you plan to replace them w/ fish-eye cameras w/ LCD screens in the operetta windows. I'd recommend against this as well.

[dogfriend]

Dogfriend's hierarchy of needs:

Safety > Longevity > Fuel Economy

[Gen 3 for me]

Thanks for all the replies. I agree safety should be a concern above improved fuel economy.

I kept the original post relatively short. I did not explain how I have adjusted my mirrors (yes, all 3) on all of my vehicles for the past 10 years since my insurance company made the recommendation (different than how most people adjust so the rear corners of the vehicle are visible). State Farm says the correct way to adjust is to eliminate the blind spots on the left and right. To adjust the drivers side mirror put your head against the side glass so the rear corner just becomes visible. For the passengers side adjust to see the right rear corner with your head almost to the center of the vehicle. Properly adjusted you can see all cars approaching in your rear view mirror, and then simultaneously the side mirror, then the side mirror alone, then in your peripheral vision. There is no more blind spot. You see the cars approaching from the rear, both sides, at all times, by using more than one mirror.

So I was proposing one or two interior mirrors on each side not to see the rear corners of my own vehicle, but the spot that State Farm recommends (outboard) of the rear corner.

The Federal standard is clear about the side mirrors being outside (not inside). I sure don't want to get any tickets.There is also the side air bag deployment and puncturing of the bag to consider, along with the possibility of injury to the front passengers if the radius of the inside mirror or bracket is not large enough.

Does anyone know what kind of fuel savings others achieved by folding their side mirrors in?

My goal in writing this post was to get everyone to think about what a aerodynamic vehicle the Prius is and how much more aerodynamic it would be without side mirrors. I love the creativity of our moderator's idea about the fish eye cameras. Just trying to stretch the boundaries of what is possible with this post.Without imagination little progress would be made.

[ZTrekus]

Originally Posted by HTMLSpinnr

Unless you plan to replace them w/ fish-eye cameras w/ LCD screens in the operetta windows. I'd recommend against this as well.

I reckon that would be an excellent upgrade for the 4th generation Prius... perhaps the sign of things to come. No more side mirrors. Only small cameras (like the reversing camera) and perhaps internal screens near the windows like mirrors.... reduce the co of d even more. Another Prius first.

[fuzzy1]

Unless you plan to replace them w/ fish-eye cameras w/ LCD screens in the operetta windows. ...

If AGW is real and we ever get around to seriously dealing with it, then this type of solution will be coming. 50 MPG is simply not good enough, we need well over 100 MPG, along with getting rid of the 'G's altogether.

I have long used a mirror aiming pattern similar to that of the OP. There is no reason for the three mirrors to have more than a hair of overlap, it any. And by not having the outside mirrors see straight back, nighttime glare is significantly reduced.

The Prius operatta windows are the perfect location for an internal active system (camera / LCD screen) to replace external mirrors. And they seem fairly close to the size and location needed if one thinks about trying to create an internal passive (mirror) system.

I won't say that it will work right now. But it is certainly time for engineers and human factors folks to be seriously thinking about it.

[bestmapman]

At low speed the mirrors don't case any drag, but at high speed there is a significant MPG hit with them. It would be nice if there was a replacement for them without taking away the benefit.

[fgp]

one can easily remove both mirrors at the same time by by splitting lanes with 2 semis . this will immediately take the mirrors off and has the advantage of making the car much skinnier.

[ridegsxr714]

the fish eye camera/lcd screen thing has been done on custom cars and concepts alike for many years. GM used it recently on their CTS coupe concept. the cameras are in small apendiges coming from where a side view mirror would be, making it more aerodynamic(looks cooler too).

[FireEngineer]

Side mirrors can have up to a .005 imapct on Cd I believe I have somewhere lying around. But if you move the mirrors away from the car by 80mm or so the impact they have is less. Look at your prius.

Wayne