Mudflaps - what's the difference?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Zarzoo @ Jun 12 2006, 09:50 PM) [snapback]270378[/snapback]</div>

I can tell you several factual things, and you can make your own decision:
1. Deland Toyota has treated me very well in the past.
2. I try to buy things that will help support Prius Chat as often as I reasonably can.
3. The flaps are all the same.
4. They are functional, and recommended by just about everybody who has installed them. Including me.
5. $36 is still quite a bit more than half of $54 when delivery is included.

http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_splash_guards.htm

 

I bought mine from Ebay, they are great and I saved some money. If I can save money on the same item I'm there. The money saved filled up the tank. Bought my Toyota factory oil filters there also. Just 3.49 a filter and bought 10. I'm not one to waste the little money we have.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Zarzoo @ Jun 13 2006, 12:50 AM) [snapback]270378[/snapback]</div>

I bought mine primarily hoping they will protect against rocks from the quarter mile gravel driveway I drive everyday, and secondarily as mud protection. So far, so good for the rock protection; no rock chips yet on the lower side body panels. For mud protection they seem to do OK. But then I try to avoid mud and wash the car weekly, so it doesn't usually get very dirty anyway. As a side benefit, I like the way they look.

Be aware that if you install them yourself, you need to do a little drilling and the rear wheels have to come off (the front can be installed by turning the wheels). It's not difficult though.

I thought I noticed a small hit on my highway fuel mileage after I added them, as described in this thread:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=18994&hl=

Longer term experience suggests that the fuel mileage hit for me is minimal, if at all. I got 610 miles out of my last tankful, average 55 mpg, with a combination of city and highway driving. Nonetheless, I've made a small modification that allows me to easily remove them for long trips, when I'm most concerned about fuel economy and least concerned about my gravel driveway. The mounting hardware they come with includes Phillips head sheet metal screws. The reason you have to remove the rear wheel is that there is not enough clearance to use a screw driver. I replaced the stock screws with hex head screws that are easily accessed with a box end or open end wrench, without turning the front wheels or removing the rear ones. I keep a box end ratchet in the car just for this purpose, so now I can completely remove them or replace them in about 10 minutes. One minor aesthetic issue with the replacement screws: they are stainless steel and more noticeable compared to the black stock screws. I've thought about buying some black paint, but the appearance hasn't bothered me enough yet.

Jim

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Zarzoo @ Jun 13 2006, 12:50 AM) [snapback]270378[/snapback]</div>

Since when are "mudflaps" (splash guards), only for looks? They serve a purpose, which is to keep liquid and debri off a vehicles body, thrown up by the tires. If you notice most auto manufactures design vehicle bodies tappered under a bit. While this helps with aerodynamics, the tires are outside of this and will easily throw water and road debri up and onto the body. Not good for the paint or in keeping a car clean.

 

My car has 49,000 miless without flaps. When I wash it, the rear quarter area still looks like new. The only practical use I can see for the flaps is protecting against tar, which comes out with a some tar remover. I think that the flaps detract from the clean lines of the car.

 

before I had the flaps, the front wheels threw up a lot of mud, etc., onto the body. I didn't notice much of a problem with the rear.

 

I got mine from my local dealer.
They fitted perfectly
Took me 30 mins
Didn't need to take any wheels off either

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jamarimutt @ Oct 25 2006, 02:36 AM) [snapback]337860[/snapback]</div>

Must be nice to live where you do, where ever that is! No rain? No mud?

Where I come from it rains a little and the flaps stopped mud from being thrown up on the front quarterpanels and doors.

 

Re: Mudflaps - what's the difference?

Me too! I chose not to remove the rear wheels, and instead drilled the bottom screw hole on angle for an angled entry. I screwed in the supplied phillips head screw until it just lightly scored the plastic with the screw head. Is tight to the wheel well and should be fine.

Btw, since install, I have driven through mud and gravel, and the flaps work (and look) great!

Thanks to all for your comments. Prius chat rocks! :rockon:

de KK7PW