Idea: Boattailing the sideview mirrors - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

anders8 · 06-04-2013, 04:40 PM

It just came to my mind... how about a complete boattail on each sideview mirror, made out of transparent material?

They would be, what, a foot long or so? That's a couple sheets of lexan. Wouldn't interfere with the functionality of anything, or entry/egress.

Has anyone seen that done?

Cheers,
Anders

RedDevil · 06-04-2013, 04:58 PM

Nice idea - if your mirrors don't fold flat.
I thought 'Hey, I might do that!' for about 2 seconds. But I fold them in almost every day on our narrow-slotted office car park.

Frank Lee · 06-04-2013, 05:00 PM

It's been tried.

NachtRitter · 06-04-2013, 05:03 PM

Vekke did it on his Lupo; the thread on his car is here: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-2l-18235.html. He doesn't describe it, but the boat-tailed mirrors can be seen in his video in post #283 (http://ecomodder.com/forum/373451-post283.html)

Shortie771 · 06-04-2013, 08:28 PM

I thought about doing this, but then I figured that interior mirrors would just be a lot easier, cheaper and efficient. Good idea, but not sure if it is worth it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

Vekke did it on his Lupo; the thread on his car is here: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-2l-18235.html. He doesn't describe it, but the boat-tailed mirrors can be seen in his video in post #283 (http://ecomodder.com/forum/373451-post283.html)

That is a very interesting way to do it. Using convex type mirrors attached to the windows and boattailled.. looks pretty cool from the inside of the car, but I'm guessing he cannot roll his windows down very much.

NachtRitter · 06-04-2013, 08:48 PM

Yep, I agree with the interior mirrors! Vekke has definitely taken it to the extreme, making the side glass fixed (as you have guessed), though his results are quite impressive (over 100mpg). Though I think for him, it is more of an advertising tool than a way to save money...

Xist · 06-04-2013, 08:55 PM

I do not think that making side windows immovable and putting a canopy over the mirrors will catch on any more than moving them inside, but if you could somehow still use the windows, that might gain some acceptance.

anders8 · 06-04-2013, 10:38 PM

Yeah, I don't need to pull my mirrors in.

Lupo went all out on that, I was imagining a less invasive method, where each side view, in its stock location, would have it's own complete boat tail fairing.

Are there any ABA results on here of just straight out window removal? I imagine that would tell us what was possible for gains.

I remember older prototypes of fuel efficient cars had tiny camera on the exterior, then video screens on the interior in a similar sightline location.

Anders

Frank Lee · 06-04-2013, 10:44 PM

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post121240

Can't find the pic now.

But similar to this:

Shortie771 · 06-04-2013, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anders8

Are there any ABA results on here of just straight out window removal?

You lost me. I thought we were talking about mirrors here? If that was just a typo then yes there have been ABA results HERE, but of course it is all relative to how much your mirrors are effecting the flow of air.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anders8

I remember older prototypes of fuel efficient cars had tiny camera on the exterior, then video screens on the interior in a similar sightline location.

I have always wanted to do this.. It seems safer than having tiny interior mirros and also would look REALLY cool. 2 things on this though... I am not sure that it is legal and the screens would be drawing power from your battery, making your alternator run more frequintly. This could be easily remedied by installing a small solar panel on your dash, sunroof, trunk or wherever you can fit one.

Oh and welcome to the forum