What a Drag: Time to Get Rid of Outside Mirrors (Car Talk article)

[Gasoline Fumes]

Anybody see this?
http://www.cartalk.com/content/what-...utside-mirrors

[Giovanni LiCalsi]

My head is spinning from all of the comments after the reading the rear camera article. More comments than there are assholes!
Cameras to replace mirrors are coming and nothing will stop them.
I'm planning to use them on my reverse-trike EV with a Mini iPad dashboard/camera screen.

[poomanchu]

Neat feature!

Originally Posted by Giovanni LiCalsi

Cameras to replace mirrors are coming and nothing will stop them.
I'm planning to use them on my reverse-trike EV with a Mini iPad dashboard/camera screen.

Cameras to replace mirrors? Goodness I hope not. Would be a nice option and I do hope it goes through, but I would still pass on it. I don't see reliable cameras and multiple screens being cheap. Yes, I am aware of the constant rule of electronics constantly becoming cheaper. Something that can take Colorado winters and summers, be reliable, multiple screens that are not blinding, good night visibility but doesn't get washed out by headlights...will not be cheap. At least enough to justify the fuel savings.

I rather enjoyed this comment.

"Hey, that's it! Once the car cameras have been out for a while, I'll bring to market a new "green" invention to replace all those problematic, electricity hog cameras. It's a flat piece of glass with a reflective surface......."

[elhigh]

...and posted a photo of the beautiful VW 1L.

I don't want to see mirrors go away. When electronics fail, mirrors continue to work. Light won't ever suddenly stop reflecting.

[Cobb]

Mirrors?!?! Whats that??? Must be related to turn signals?

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

Anybody see this?

I saw it! They wanted a contribution from a "fuel economy obsessive" for the piece. (Though I prefer the term "fuel economy enthusiast".)

I was a little surprised at the lack of understanding about aerodynamics in the comments. I guess I shouldn't be.

Several people simply dismiss the aero impact of mirrors, despite the evidence. Several more say "the automakers could make mirrors less draggy if they wanted to". Right. And they haven't been trying?

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.

[elhigh]

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.

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.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by elhigh

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.

There's the right tool for each job. People often add larger mirrors/extensions for towing, etc. Sometimes it's practical to go with smaller/fewer ones.

When you drive as slow as I do, a clear view of what's climbing up your tailpipe can be kind of important.

I know of what you speak! I drive slower than average when alone on the road, but tend to accomodate following vehicles when they don't have a clear passing opportunity.

[niky]

Originally Posted by elhigh

When electronics fail...

...a term which could just as easily apply to your car's ECM...

-

With the level of electronics in today's cars, with TFT displays, LCD screens everywhere and centralized vehicle control and infotainment systems, adding two more cameras should add less than a hundred dollars to the price tag over two power-adjustable/power-folding outside mirrors.

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by niky

...a term which could just as easily apply to your car's ECM...

-

With the level of electronics in today's cars, with TFT displays, LCD screens everywhere and centralized vehicle control and infotainment systems, adding two more cameras should add less than a hundred dollars to the price tag over two power-adjustable/power-folding outside mirrors.

You have a point, but let me add this caveat:

As the electronics get cheaper, easier to manufacture and easier to install, the quality tends toward a mean that prioritizes cheapness of manufacturing over durability. Those cameras aren't repairable, so keeping their costs down requires a lot of corner cutting. How many electronic devices are out there whose cameras have failed even as the rest of the device continues to function? Quite a few. It appears to be a bit of a theme around iPads, especially following a software upgrade, and iPads are supposed to be some of the highest-quality home electronic devices you can buy.

Even when cracked into dozens of pieces, you can still usually glean a useful image from a mirror.

And my truck is carbureted.