Removing Side Mirrors for Better Aerodynamics

[Politburo]

Originally Posted by Boo

On the legality issue, I think this is the Federal law/regulation on rearview (includes side) mirrors:

Part 571: Motor Carrier Vehicle Safety Standards

I believe these regulations only cover new vehicle sales. To my knowledge there are no federal regulations that cover the operation of vehicles after sale (aside from tampering with emissions equipment and ODS used for A/C).

ETA: As for LCD mirrors.. most of us have experienced LCD screen washout under direct sunlight. IMO this would need to be solved before LCD mirrors can be practical.

[32kcolors]

I can understand removing them on other cars, but the Prius has such poor rear mirror view that the side mirrors are essential.

[PriusRoadWarrior]

Someone really, and I mean REALLY, needs to get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tochatihu]

The land speed record Prius removed the mirrors, but I don't know of anyone who uses their Prius in traffic who has done so.

[a64pilot]

I would honestly think that you would get better mileage by shedding weight. Removal of the spare tire and associated equipment, rear seat when not needed, removal of the 12v lead acid battery and replacing it with a Li battery etc.
I have done none of this myself, just think if your really after absolute efficiency, it's a better way to go.
Why do we have a 12v batt anyway? Why not tap power off of the traction battery? Voltage is easily changed.

[CAR4TWO]

Any fuel savings would be minimal. I say wax them and keep on trucking down the highway. Wax them every few days with an acrylic wax like Glare Professional Polish or Nu Finish.

I cannot do without my left, right, and middle back up camera's.

[krousdb]

If you make it past the legality and the safety, and you actually removed them, you would find out, as I already have, that it makes no measureable difference in FE on the highway. So I put them back on. Good to be legal and safe again.

[cpatch]

Originally Posted by Gen 3 for me

Side mirrors are required if you tint the side / rear windows

The side and rear windows on the 2010 are factory tinted to 75%, with the lower rear at 35% (I think) so that kind of nips the whole thing in the bud right there.

[sciguy125]

Originally Posted by Gen 3 for me

Has anybody besides me thought about removing the side mirrors for better fuel economy.

You're assuming that the Toyota engineers didn't take the mirrors into account when working on the aerodynamics. It's like the pickup truck thing. A lot of people leave the tailgate down to try to save fuel. However, they were designed to work better with the tailgate up. Something about about creating a vortex inside the bed to change the air flow.

Of course, I'm an electrical engineer, not mechanical, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about...

[blacksheep]

Silly me ... HAVING side mirrors is one of many things I've been enjoying about my new Prius. The 15-year-old car I traded in didn't have a right side mirror, and the left one had been busted since my husband ran it into the garage door frame in 1999.