Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
The more aero optimized the rest of the vehicle is, the larger the relative impact that mirrors have on fuel consumption. "Standard" mirrors on a VW XL1 would probably account for more than 10% of its energy consumption at highway speeds.
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That's a very good point. When the rest of the entire vehicle is shaped like a pumpkin seed but it has a couple of Mickey Mouse ears poking out at either side, it's pretty clear that those ears aren't doing any favors. I hadn't considered that part.
For most of us starting from a non-optimized shape, even after lots of aftermarket optimization, mirror removal could definitely be an improvement but it may be small enough to get lost in other environmental noise.
For a while there I was running the biggest mirrors I could find. I've since shrunk back down to factory and am looking at smaller, with the addition of some interior mirrors to retain field of view. When you drive as slow as I do, a clear view of what's climbing up your tailpipe can be kind of important.