1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Effect of Front License Plate

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by markabele, Apr 21, 2012.

  1. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Any estimates on how much effect having a front license plate has on MPG compared to no plate at all?

    Thanks!
     
  2. stream

    stream Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2008
    2,977
    452
    14
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Not sure about that, but I'm certain it has a dramatic cosmetic effect, so I haven't run front plates on my cars in forever. :D
     
  3. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2009
    1,370
    270
    0
    Location:
    seaside, oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    In some states it is a violation of law not to have
    a front plate. However when vehicles who do
    not have front plates, where front plates are
    not required in their licensed state, it is
    not a violation of course.

    Personally I would perfer not to have
    a front plate but in Oregon its the law....
     
  4. Son of Gloin

    Son of Gloin Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2008
    421
    320
    0
    Location:
    Lafayette, IN
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    You asked for estimates "only" so here's mine ... adding a front plate would adversely affect mpg by less than 1/10th-of-1-percent. In other words - in MY particular situation - if I were to put a front plate on Mithril, I could probably make up the difference by taking half of the coins out of the coin tray; you know ... getting rid of excess weight in the car and all that stuff ...
     
  5. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2010
    1,371
    335
    0
    Location:
    Waianae, HI (Oahu)
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    The front license plate increases fuel efficiency by 3.14 % or grater, this has been wind tunnel tested. Just Kidding!


    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     
  6. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Tolkien fan...love it!

    My estimates would probably be a little bit higher but I appreciate the feedback. If I had to throw out a number I would say closer to 1%.
     
  7. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2011
    2,171
    659
    23
    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Aerodynamics is not very intuitive. I would accept a wind tunnel test, and not much else.

    Bottom line: Take it off if you don't need it. Leave it on if the law requires.

    Weight not exchangable for aerodynamics (they affect mileage in different scenarios).
     
  8. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    What if the law requires it but they never enforce it? :)
     
  9. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    3,247
    527
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    My car will not have holes drilled in the front bumper. I have had many summer cars before with no plate. The Prius looks way cleaner without it.

    Mike
     
  10. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,516
    1,789
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    So, your car is not registered in NY :confused:
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    we need a lexan nose cone to fit over it like the trucks have above the cab.
     
    1 person likes this.
  12. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2012
    2,593
    763
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I see very little effect of a front license plate on account of where it is placed. At the speed that the car travels, because the plate is placed neary the very center of the bumper, the edges create very little cavitation from the edges of the plate. It would be different, if there was an empty space behind the edge to create a la low pressure area which reuslts a lot of vortices.

    It would be clear and reasonable to conclude that Toyota has done air flow "smoke trail" and determined the best position for the license plate to create the least disruption of air flow.
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i think the euro plates are more aerodynamic than u.s.
     
  14. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I suspect it will be under one gallon of gas in the life of the car.
     
  15. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2012
    627
    144
    63
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Neither will mine. I tried to buy a 2012 in the Bay Area, being very specific about not having them install the front plate bracket once the car arrived. Sure enough, once the car arrived they put on the license plate bracket in front. #$%@! idiots (didn't read the notes on the reserve for the vehicle).:mad: Now I am waiting on another car (my original order) which may be another month before I see it.:mad:

    So if anyone is looking for a really nice 2012 Barcelona Red model Five ATP with premium (10 spoke) wheels, check out this and ask for Andrew (you can even tell him that I sent you his way).
    2012 Toyota Prius Hybrid Five For Sale | Palo Alto CA .
     
  16. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    3,247
    527
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    No doubt stupid. I could imagine the meatheads doing the prep work on a car once it rolls off the transport rig. I told my sales lady several times that the deal is off if the car gets drilled. How are you gonna make it another month? The first month is freakin crazy :p

    Mike
     
  17. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2012
    627
    144
    63
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Depends on what you consider life of the car. 10 years could be much different than a few. I would guess that driving at highway speeds may make any effect worse. I agree with others that it would be nice to have wind tunnel data to put some facts to this. And if the data are compelling perhaps they can be used to get the front plat requirement removed in those locales that are affected.:)
     
  18. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2012
    627
    144
    63
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    The first month???? I have been waiting over two and a half months so far.:eek: Lost my marbles a long time ago. :D
     
  19. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    3,247
    527
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Imagine the metal and other materials saved by not having front plates. Less prep work on a car when it comes into the dealerships.

    Mike
     
  20. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    3,247
    527
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    But,,, at least you have a 2nd Gen to drive. I have a 19 mpg Saturn Vue to drive. It's nice driving, but $$$ in the tank.

    Mike :(