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Removing Side Mirrors for Better Aerodynamics

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Gen 3 for me, Jul 13, 2009.

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  1. Politburo

    Politburo Active Member

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    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.
     
    #21 Politburo, Jul 21, 2009
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  2. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    I can understand removing them on other cars, but the Prius has such poor rear mirror view that the side mirrors are essential.
     
    #22 32kcolors, Jul 21, 2009
  3. PriusRoadWarrior

    PriusRoadWarrior retired

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    Someone really, and I mean REALLY, needs to get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    #23 PriusRoadWarrior, Jul 21, 2009
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  4. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    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.
     
    #24 tochatihu, Jul 21, 2009
  5. a64pilot

    a64pilot Active Member

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    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.
     
    #25 a64pilot, Jul 25, 2009
  6. CAR4TWO

    CAR4TWO New Member

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    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.
     
    #26 CAR4TWO, Aug 2, 2009
  7. krousdb

    krousdb NX-74205

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    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.:D
     
    #27 krousdb, Aug 2, 2009
  8. cpatch

    cpatch New Member

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    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.
     
    #28 cpatch, Aug 2, 2009
  9. sciguy125

    sciguy125 Junior Member

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    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...
     
    #29 sciguy125, Aug 4, 2009
  10. blacksheep

    blacksheep in white car

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    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. :eek:hwell:
     
    #30 blacksheep, Aug 4, 2009
  11. lamontcranston

    lamontcranston Umbra Tenet

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    Given all the work that's gone into honing the aerodynamics of this car, I can't imagine that hacking off the mirrors would give any significant improvement.
     
    #31 lamontcranston, Aug 4, 2009
  12. Matt Herring

    Matt Herring New Member

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    Automobile regulations are governed by the state they are registered in...not by the Federal Government...and states have different laws regarding side and rear view mirrors. In Illinois, side view mirrors are not required...only an inside rear view mirror. Illinois State mirror laws can be found here on a list compiled by Ecomodder...

    Mirror Laws by State (U.S.) - EcoModder

    And if you need more info. on performing a side mirror delete I highway recommend you go to ecomodder.com Dozens of drivers have done it over there and some have done it very well to make it look very clean...just do a search on the site for side mirror delete.

    Here's a thread from ecomodder that krousdb did on his Prius. I believe the photos of the side mirror delete are on page 2 of the thread...

    Prius aero mods (undertrays, grille block, mirror delete...) - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

    Best of luck...take lots of pics if you do it!
     
    #32 Matt Herring, Aug 4, 2009
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  13. Matt Herring

    Matt Herring New Member

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    #33 Matt Herring, Aug 4, 2009
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  14. Matt Herring

    Matt Herring New Member

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    Krous,

    I'm surprised you saw no FE gain with the mirror delete...how long did you run with them off? And didn't you only remove the passenger side mirror...in NC it is legal to only run the drivers side mirror with no passenger side mirror.

    Here is some testing on a side mirror delete that showed a nice mpg gain...again, surprised you put them back on...

    Reflections on side mirrors: testing drag vs. MPG - MetroMPG.com
     
    #34 Matt Herring, Aug 4, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  15. Gen 3 for me

    Gen 3 for me Member

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    Matt,
    Thanks for all the useful information in your replies. It seems like there would only be a problem in that a few states MI, NJ, NY require an outside drivers mirror. I was thinking I could get around this since my interior mirror would be adjustable and that I could make it flexible enough to extend to the outside should I ever get pulled over. I already have a detailed and highlighted copy of the IL law that I would carry with me.

    Need to get the car which the dealer finally says looks promising, collct my baseline data, and consider starting the experiment on the passengers side.

    Thanks everyone for expressing your true opinion. I was not looking for agreement, but did look for your honest feedback, which I got, in case I overlooked some aspect, before I finally decide whether or not to make a big move like this on a new car.
     
    #35 Gen 3 for me, Aug 7, 2009
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