Side mirrors

[MetroMPG]

You often hear people talking about removing side mirrors to reduce drag. Is it effective or worthwhile? That's what this thread is about.

[krousdb]

Someone posted a link to a study that indicated between 0.03 and 0.06 for the mirrors depending on the shape. Maybe someone could dig up that link?

[MetroMPG]

Just did. Basjoos found it originally

[krousdb]

At least I got the 3 and the 6 right.

[kickflipjr]

I don't think mirrors afftect your car that much. If you hold your arm out the window doing 60. How much air force is pushing back on your hand maybee 5-10pounds. But if your a FE fanatic why not take it off.

[MetroMPG]

Yeah, good memory, Dan! Whereas I forgot both the numbers, and the fact that a mirrors thread had started and petered out once already. (See my EDIT notes in the first post.)

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by kickflipjr

I don't think mirrors afftect your car that much.

It's all relative. I'd just like to quantify it.

OK, I'll fire up Dan's spreadsheet tool later and translate it into some theoretical miles per gallon.

[MetroMPG]

Because a Google search is quicker than firing up the aero tool spreadsheet (which I will still do, later)

[SVOboy]

Are you going to camera things up, have that wicked big rear view mirror, or just go without?

I'm surprised that my windsheild wiper would only account for .01 but my mirrors would account for .03-.06. I guess the rear wiper does point foward though...

[MetroMPG]

If it turns out it's really worth taking mirrors off, I may go for a combination approach