Considering removing the windshield wipers...

Yep. It started on a napkin and moved up to a loose leaf page. Sorry I did not have a Cray Super Computer at my disposal.

 

Congratulations - you've now made many people worried... Next time we will have to be more quiet about getting lab time...

I hope you're happy with yourself.

 

Is it April 1st yet? I definitely get the feeling we're being taken for a ride...

... some evidence, even a decent fake, would at least make this more believable and/or entertaining ... printouts, screenshots, photos....?

 

Good point, Slow Turd are you reading this thread? We needs some photos pronto.

 

We got the hook - it's used, but rated to 15 tons (so we don't have to worry about extra weight in the car). It may not look great, but it should clean up nicely. We also got a few heavy duty 'O rings' to make a secure snug fit...

 

^ that is sick!

 

It should look great on your car and seems to match your personality. In addition to the aerodynamic appearance, it will also allow you to use your Prius to tow skateboarders along the Freeway and will be handy if you decide to use your car for underwater exploration. You could disable the ICE, lower the hydrodynamic Prius into a lake or river, and explore the underwater depths using the EV, electric, drive. If you roll up the windows, close the sunroof and air vents, and press a potato tightly into the exhaust pipe, it should keep most of the water out and the heavy duty hook will allow easy retrieval of your Prius if my calculations are in error. Your hook is shaping up to be a wonderful safety device that should be required on every new Prius. In terms of public safety, the Prius roof hook makes as much sence as the annual smog check requireed for most cars throughout the United States. Be sure to keep us up to date when you begin the underwater testing.

 

Now that is just plain silly.

 

Funny idea - but somewhat feasible. There are two large openings (airflow) in the rear sections (by the battery, and one on the opposite side) - clearly these would need to be plugged.

The tragic images from Japan show cars are not submersible. Also, - even if you were able to build some type of ballast (helium tanks that would fill up the car, and push water out), the propulsion system needs to be thoroughly vetted (not to mention regulating oxygen etc). Also, I believe electrically, one of the 'D latches' may fail in the water.

I try to stay away from the 'never' attitude, but I'm afraid I see no feasible way to build your 'sub-Prius'. I also would not be willing to test it (of course) on a new Prius - even if it was a possibility.

Our nation was built on dreamers - keep up the good fight...:rockon:

 

^^^^^^ Keep Dreaming ^^^^^^:rockon:

 

I beg to differ.
Cars are very submersible...once.

 

I actually gave my wipers a good looking over yesterday and it seems like allot of though went into there design aerodynamically. They do not tuck under the hood like some other autos, but they seem to be in an eddy out of the airflow, created by the shape of the hood. Then I looked at the arms and blades and they both have a what appears to be a well thought out streamlined airfoil shape to them. Usually when it is time for wipers I just get new blades, but I think now I will change the inserts in order to keep the OEM blades.


Aloha,

ED

 

LOL. That's awesome.

 

Weight reduction always means better fuel economy.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

The word "significant" was left out in both of those statements.

IF most of your miles are on a flat highway at a constant speed, then a small change in weight will have virtually NO affect.
Certainly not a significant change.

 

It's impossible to drive a constant speed all the time. You have to stop to get in and out of the car at some point. Do something as small as taking out your unused seats and I promise you you'll see a difference in MPG. Especially in warmer temps.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Next you will be telling us that you know more about Muslim extremists than the generals do too ??

Your promise is not evidence of anything. Real world experiments prove that the difference with small changes like that are NOT something that the owner easily "sees".

 

As someone that drives his Prius for a living I can tell you you are wrong. Also, physics.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

You are not a typical Prius driver.
Even given that, physics says: Other factors are more important than small weight differences.

For example:
Wind resistance (the biggie)
Driving patterns and terrain.
Driver habits (heavy foot)
The average driver can NOT keep those factors constant to be able to test for a small weight difference.

Your broad statement that: A typical Prius driver ABSOLUTELY WILL notice a mileage difference with a small change in weight is just simply wrong. Most won't. The placebo effect not withstanding.
Done.

 

Meanwhile: I keep putting more stuff in the hatch under-floor tray. Latest addition: a foot-operated air pump, $9.99 at the dollar store. Works ok. I probably have around 40 lbs in there, a jump pack the main weight, close to 20 lbs.