Fuel Economy - Mud Guards and Wheel Covers take 2

beyond minimal. when's the last time you checked tire pressure?

 

we get upper 40s-lower 50s depending on weather, who's driving, etc.

it's a good idea to check tire pressure weekly or biweekly anyway, you might try to get into that habit

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brighamwj @ Nov 21 2006, 09:02 PM) [snapback]352821[/snapback]</div>

I've not been able to notice any difference, I added the mudguards a few months after I bought our Prius, and was still getting in the high 40's. The trim rings came off shortly after, but they are occasionally back on the car, though, with no discernible impact on mileage. I get in the mid to low 50's depending on the weather, but most of my commute is under 60 mph for the most part.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brighamwj @ Nov 21 2006, 08:02 PM) [snapback]352821[/snapback]</div>

By the way, if you have the optional under rear bumper protector molding the mud flaps will not install. The protector wraps all the way around into the rear wheel wells where the flaps need to fit flush for anchoring with screws.

 

I thought I noticed a small hit on my highway fuel mileage after I added mud guards, 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. 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 main reason for installing them). I replaced the stock Phillips head 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.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 24 2006, 01:37 AM) [snapback]353648[/snapback]</div>

Ok, the rear skirt. Local dealers here refer to it as under bumper protector. I purchased Toyota mud flaps and they do not approximate the wheel wells where the skirt wraps around there. Perhaps there is a flap version in Canada with a groove that accommodates the skirt, or maybe cars with flaps do not have the wheel well skirt segments?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 25 2006, 01:14 AM) [snapback]353881[/snapback]</div>

"Prius" mud guards bought from dealer in Toyota box.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 22 2006, 01:21 PM) [snapback]353216[/snapback]</div>

no they don't. Early 2k4's were mud guard free.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dr Ed @ Nov 23 2006, 09:53 PM) [snapback]353596[/snapback]</div>

this must have changed in the 06s. my 05 fits the mudguards fine. apologies for the semi-blurry picture, it's way bright outside and my eyes were burning.

[attachmentid=5765]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Nov 26 2006, 02:59 PM) [snapback]354236[/snapback]</div>

No changes that I know of because my mud guards fit just fine. I even replaced my black lower spoiler with the red colored version and they still fit just fine.

 

I have mud guards and no plastic wheel covers. My mileage has increased by 50%.

Come on guys.... this stuff doesn't make any difference. driving 1/2mph slower or faster will make a bigger difference in gas mileage than either of these "mods" could ever hope to help or hurt.

For the record, my lifetime mileage is 53mpg - always driven with a full car, and always on the freeway. Somedays my average is 49mpg. Other days it is 56. And this is on the same roads at the same speeds with the same load, with the same driver using the same techniques in the same car with mud guards and no wheel covers.