Weight savings....what else?

How much do you weigh? Let's start there.

 

There are many threads on this - I'd start by adding the mud flaps, the shark fin antenna, and removing your wipers (use a water wetter which makes the water run off the windshield).

Window tinting has shown to help - but only slightly../

 

Unless you have your own wind tunnel, I doubt you will find accurate or reliable data on existing 'aero' kits, mostly they are cosmetic, those that are not usually favor downforce at the expense of drag.

Got Hybrid? - Modifying the Prius - Car and Driver

land speed prius - Google Search

 

I'm not into plug-in kits, but from the Enginer related threads here on Priuschat (skim http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/), I'd advise against it. It sounds hacky, unreliable and finicky, at best.

Maybe you should've gotten a used 2nd gen and a HyMotion kit. It at least sounds like those are more reliable. Here's one of TheForce's exploits at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...prius-ii-plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicle.html. He posted a review at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...57-review-hymotion-battery-plug-in-prius.html.

Even though you don't want to, if you really want to save weight, I would remove all the extra seats and possibly the spare tire then carry a can of Fix-A-Flat goop. Not sure about the implications of goop w/TPMS sensors though....

I'd next invest in learning driving techniques for the 3rd gen and all the hypermiling strategies along w/buying 2 ScanGauges (unless someone can suggest something better for the 3rd gen) to help you w/the techniques/tricks. These changes will likely be a lot more effective than trying to shave off bits of weight here and there.

An engine block heater might help. You should also grille block in colder weather (definitely NOT now).

For example, famed hypermiler Wayne Gerdes w/3 other guys achieved ~110 mpg in a 2nd gen Prius at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05220/550484.stm. I believe the record's been broken. He helped w/achieving 81.5 mpg in a FFH (http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=30289).

 

Cool. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Check out aerocivic.com it probably exceeds your aesthetics clause, but some of it can be done with an eye to looking good, and there are good ideas there.

 

Exactly! Although I never visit, http://ecomodder.com/forum/aerodynamics.html might have some insightful info. I can think of rear wheel skirts possible being helpful though.

Another thing I forgot to mention to reduce weight is to run w/less fuel. Per How can 6 pounds of gasoline create 19 pounds of Carbon dioxide?, a gallon of gas weighs 6.3 pounds. So, maybe run with 1/2 tank or less?

But, not filling completely will make it err... challenging to do manual calculations of mileage.

Don't run so low that you run out of gas (http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/64211-warning-running-out-gas-gen-iii.html).

The EBH will help the ICE warm up quicker and should reduce the duration of crappy mileage in the 1st couple minutes of driving.

Back to techniques, pulse and glide used by Gerdes and company is described at http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1224. Don't try to "dead band" (no arrows) on the 3rd gen. It's too hard to see the arrows on the 3rd gen anyway. A 3rd gen owner here should be able to chime in on pulse & glide.

 

Consider removing your side mirrors and install a camera at each side with two small lcd video monitors inside. Of course, check the legality of this at your locality.

Another thing you can try is, replace all the underbody panels with a much smoother one. If money is no object, have one that is continguous from front to back.

 

I took the side mirrors off my last vehicle and put cameras in. It would be easy for the prius as you could place them inside looking out of the front corner windows. I just ran to a video monitor in my rearview mirror.

I heard that side mirrors are one of the biggest drag items on vehicles.

JD

 

You can try to smooth out some of the indents on the underpanel with some HVAC tape (not duct tape). It weighs next to nothing, but withstands weather & temperature swings and the adhesive won't fail.

Also you can try some foam or expanding foam spray, shave off the excess, and cover it with the tape.

I'm not sure how mudflaps improve aerodynamics.

How do you plan to remove the door handles?

 

Or, you could consult the Florida Drivers Handbook at http://www.fpts.us/documents/Florida_Driver_Handbook.pdf, which may say in section 7.2 (Other Equipment Standards), something like:

Mirrors: Your vehicle must have at least one rearview mirror which gives a view of the highway at least 200 feet to the rear.

...
Rear windows: When the rear window is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which makes the rear window nontransparent, the vehicle must be equipped with side mirrors on both sides.

Just a thought.

 

I remember a long time ago, right hand side view mirrors were not standard on some cars (they were an option). There would be a blank insert where the mirror would otherwise go.

 

I thought this thread was a joke - No offense but these mods won't do sh-t for your mpg. Maybe the 8lb rims will work but you also need good LRR tires.

Lowering springs, window tints, shark fin antenna, no side mirrors??? Won't do sh-t, trust me. It'll look cool, but don't expect results. You seriously need to be dumped like a Nascar car, to reduce that drag coefficient. What you really need is a hymotion battery or an EV button at the least. Stripping the interior for lighter weight will work too.

Basically everything you're not doing, is what actually works. Just don't want you to get your hopes up with these pseudo mileage mods.

 

Replace all windows with plexiglass...? Haha, just a thought. Glass can get fairly heavy.

 

If op is willing to be the guinea pig and report back to us, I'm more than willing to encourage him . Of course I like to give ideas that are practical -- like filling the cabin with Helium should definitely lighten the car.

Pfft... try transparent aluminum