Should I buy the mud flaps? Just added the side moldings and rear bumper protector

Hi everyone,

I cant stop buying accessories. I just placed the side moldings (Thanks to Cactus Hybrid for the tips and moral support) today. Do you guys think the mud flaps would be too much? (I've got the black and white theme LOL). I would love to have the side mirrors with turn signals

In CA, I wouldn't bother with the flaps. They don't do a lot. Now the mirrors, yes.

Thanks Spiderman! We finally have had some rain in SoCal and it made me wonder if it would help. Glad to know the flaps don't do a lot.

I saw on your sig that you modified your side mirrors. I'm waiting to see if someone changes them on a US model v. It's surprising since even the Scions have them ( I'm guessing Toyota is holding out for a future model refresh) Once the part becomes available it will definitely be my next mod.

Good point... I would be surprised if the mirrors assemblies are different, but we won't know till someone tries.

Here is a winter photo... flaps don't do a lot for me.

Some how... I don't think it was the mud flaps not working... But your general environment, Spiderman... I mean... Look at your license plate!

Yeah well it might be that. What license plate?

Looks like you drove it down a WV coal mine instead of through an AK tundra.

If that car could talk... It would be saying, "My owner hates me!!! Doesn't wash me worth a damn!"

Please share any tips you learned for installing these - that is next weekends project for me.

I did the mud guards and have been pleased with them.

This project seems a lot harder that it should be. The instructions that came with it are pretty good. Cactus hybrid suggested to make sure to take off the end piece of the 3m tape ( you can see a separate section that is about 2 inches long) It is also helpful to have a second person with you.

I used a dry erase marker to indicate 15 inches from the bottom of front doors and 16 1/4 on rear. Aligning the two marks I used a long piece of wood the length of both car doors to act as a guide while applying the (blue painters tape)tape on the car. Make sure you pay attention to each piece I almost put the wrong piece on. Pull about 6 inches off at a time. Also make sure the spacing between the front and rear door is correct ( just in case it rubs together when the rear door is opened all the way) If I can do this project anyone can

lol wow!!

We're in North Carolina. When we first got our V, we noticed quite a bit of dirt and crud kicking up on the sides of the rear bumper. I put the mud flaps on and no more crud. Rear flaps help. The front flaps are not as useful.

Oh they are useful, but just don't keep things much cleaner than without. Had a 97 camry w/o flaps and the rocker panels were so badly pitted with rock dings you couldn't hardly tell what color the paint was there. So I made sure to put em on the prius. But from the picture I posted earlier, they don't do much to keep things "clean".

I did the mud guards, and am happy. If they don't really work in Alaska, well, that's because it's a very unique state. (I thought it's called "The Last Frontier!" No offense, spidey.) I used a clear bra instead of the side moldings and bumper protector....

No offense taken. Enjoy the guards!

jzchen, which mud flaps did you get? I notice there's a set for $89 and a set for $119. With as much as this car is going to cost, I'm leaning towards cheaper is better, but that could be advanced sticker shock setting in. After 13 years in a Subaru, I think cars look a little nekkid without mudflaps.

And I am sad to see the Spiderman's picture isn't showing up... :-( I'm assuming it was messy and glorious!

Me too. When they upgraded the forum software, all my photos got lost. I will post the photo when I get home tonight.

Here you go:

The ice on the bumper is like a frosty clear bra.

Remember that the more crap you bolt to the outside of the car the worse your aerodynamics becomes. Besides, you don't want it to look like the car swallowed a Summit catalog.

You'll end up like a Lund truck. How many bolt-ons can you spot? LOL