Folding mirrors anyone? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

bratboy · 11-01-2023, 03:27 AM

Hey everyone, I've done some research and I haven't seen anything specific so far to answer my question. I have a generation 1 Pontiac vibe. One of the things I'm interested in doing is possible is installing electric folding mirrors so that when I'm doing highway speeds, and there's nobody around first night time etc, I can fold them. Does anybody have any idea what kind of advantage one would get in terms of fuel economy from having them folded? I've seen stuff about removal but not really folded. Thank you.

Phase · 11-01-2023, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bratboy

Hey everyone, I've done some research and I haven't seen anything specific so far to answer my question. I have a generation 1 Pontiac vibe. One of the things I'm interested in doing is possible is installing electric folding mirrors so that when I'm doing highway speeds, and there's nobody around first night time etc, I can fold them. Does anybody have any idea what kind of advantage one would get in terms of fuel economy from having them folded? I've seen stuff about removal but not really folded. Thank you.

I tried folding mine. Fuel economy didn’t change. Wind noise actually increased. I think it actually increases turbulence. Because car manufacturers position the mirrors to be farther away from the windows now so there’s less turbulence and sound, and they make them in more aerodynamic shapes. Folding them just messes things up

CigaR007 · 11-01-2023, 02:08 PM

Here's a tuft testing for the side mirrors I did on my car with two configurations; normal and folded. Hard to quantify gains, if any.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eDh42Cde7ls

Phase · 11-01-2023, 03:24 PM

Yup. I think my mpg actually dropped a little when I folded my mirrors and did a test

bratboy · 11-02-2023, 02:18 AM

Fair enough, this at least makes me not want to go through the hell and half look trying to make them work!

aerohead · 11-02-2023, 11:55 AM

Look back in time to the 1987 GM Impact, and the long stalk it's side mirror was attached to.
Subaru had proved this technology in 1985 with it's XT.
Tesla borrowed from them.
Chevy VOLT-gen-II.
Jaguar.
Aston Martin.
Etc..