wiper closer to the car
 

today i had an idea. the wiper arms of my car are not so close to the body, as i wanted them to be. so i spend some time, fiddeling with file and wrench. i tried to make the hole somewhat deeper and with an angel, to set the wiper arm closer to the car and more hiding behind the hood.
after the intial filing, i pushed the wiper omto its shaft and in the right position, and moved the arm to grind it in.
the drivers arm is now about 4mm, and the other is 5mm closer to the car. sounds not mutch, but looks good for me.

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/8...cf5088m.th.jpg

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/5...cf5089d.th.jpg

I can take the wipers clean off and not be able to detect any differences. If you can detect a reduction in wind noise perhaps you are on to something.

It's because you are in that " damned pressure bubble " Frank ! :D

Yeah- my ol' skool 3-box cars and trucks. His Prius is sorta 1-box so...?

The Prius? I wasn't aware it had /any/ box... :)

it´s the santamo, not the prius.;) notice the korrosion? this can´t be the prius!

in fakt the prius is better shaped, but i will give it the same trick, once i will oil the wiper shafts. it costs nothing but a little efford. and the car is better looking. i know, i know, looks are not important for a hypermiler...:D

Looks are important to some hypermilers, actually. If we can make substantial mods that either improve, or at the very least, don't detract from, the overall appearance of the vehicle being modified, we're more likely to attract a larger overall fan base, meaning more collective knowledge, and information to apply to the hobby.

Wiper blades will make almost no difference to the drag. Try putting a small leaf or blade of grass next to the blade, and then drive. Unless you get a crosswind, it will probably stay put.

Yes, some (ahem) take pride in the quirkiness of their hypermiling vehicles. :thumbup:

I recon with this windshield mod you'll save at least 8mL of gas every year!! :eek:

As Frank said, they don't make a difference if they are hiding in the angle made by the bonnet and the windshield.

On cars where the bonnet and windshield form (nearly) one line like the prius and others, there's no or not as big a bubble for the wipers to hide in.

Hiding the wipers is good practice as it reduces pedestrian injuries in case of an accident.