2019 RAV4 Hybrid Limited

[GK13]

Sounds like adding the extra batteries won't be a great option. Or even grid charging the internal ones.

I'm thinking more and more about biting the bullet and going for the wheel arch covers. I know the back ones can come down as far as the bumper/door, but what about the front wheels? I really don't want to make it look weird or impact turning. Thinking I should just come straight down with the addtional material and have it come close to the tires, but still above it. Any suggestions on how far above the tire to go? Maybe 4 inches or so?

[grins2go_brett]

Originally Posted by GK13

Any suggestions on how far above the tire to go? Maybe 4 inches or so?

I would get under the front end and measure how much travel room there is between the upper bump stop and whatever suspension component moves up into it. Most late model vehicles have very little upper suspension travel. My guess is you will only have 2-3 inches of travel at best. Take whatever measurement you get, add an inch to account for some compression of the rubber bump stop, and that's how far above the tire I would start out with.

[Taylor95]

I would not expect there to be any easy mods for you given the CAFE standards automakers must meet.

You may be able to get some gains from adding positive rake to your vehicle, though it may already be like that.

[GK13]

That sounds like a great way to measure how far down to make the fender flare extension. Thank you!!

Could you explain more what you mean by "Positive Rake"?

[freebeard]

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=raked+stance&iax=images

[Taylor95]

Originally Posted by GK13

That sounds like a great way to measure how far down to make the fender flare extension. Thank you!!

Could you explain more what you mean by "Positive Rake"?

This is when the front of the car sits lower than the rear. More air goes over the car than underneath this way. You can see if you have positive rake by measuring the distance in between the middle of the hubcap to the gender, then comparing front and rear measurements. If they are the same, you do not have any rake.

[freebeard]

You can see if you have positive rake by measuring the distance in between the middle of the hubcap to the gender, then comparing front and rear measurements.

There's a joke in there somewhere.

I'd go with the distance to the ground ant the front and rear of the rocker panel.

The traditional gauge was a pack of cigarettes. Upright = low, on it's side = lower, laid flat = one step short of laying frame.

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by GK13

I expected it to have the active shutters, but it oddly doesn’t.

Look closer--it does:



Toyota lists them on all trims of the 2019 Hybrid (it would only let me display 3, but the XLE has them as well).

[GK13]

After I had seen the post about how it should have the active shutters, I pulled up the same resource actually. I looked closer at my vehicle and saw it does hav them, but not to where they would actually help anything. They're on the lower grill but it's so small, I doubt they'd do anything. And they're behind the grill, so it's not like they would smooth out the air much I don't think.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by GK13

After I had seen the post about how it should have the active shutters, I pulled up the same resource actually. I looked closer at my vehicle and saw it does hav them, but not to where they would actually help anything. They're on the lower grill but it's so small, I doubt they'd do anything. And they're behind the grill, so it's not like they would smooth out the air much I don't think.

Toyota wouldn't include them if they didn't help anything. It's another expense, and another failure point covered by warranty service.

It's true that placing grill blocks in front of the grill is aerodynamically better, it still is beneficial to place them behind. There's still the benefit of faster warm-up too. The shutters need to be behind the grill so they are protected from damage.