If you removed the Side mirrors on a Telsa, how much would that impact range

[DaveE]

I was wondering... with the camera, I don't really need side view mirrors (if I just use blinkers). Technically, I know it's illegal, and could get fix-it ticket. But I was wondering, if you removed the mirrors on a Telsa, how much would that impact range? Are we talking 1% or 5%? (The latter matters a little).
I assume somewhere in between -- that it's be 2% or so...

But I've never seen anyone do a test on with and without sideview mirrors.

 

[kelpcar]

I was wondering... with the camera, I don't really need side view mirrors (if I just use blinkers).

umm....the point of blinkers is for others to see your intent. The point of side mirrors is for you to see, though to actually make a lane change, you need to look over. So they have nothing to do with each other.

There was another thread on this, perhaps 2 months ago?

I think your legal exposure if you get in an accident outweighs the potential gain.

 

[Silicon Desert]

I was wondering... with the camera, I don't really need side view mirrors (if I just use blinkers). Technically, I know it's illegal, and could get fix-it ticket. But I was wondering, if you removed the mirrors on a Telsa, how much would that impact range? Are we talking 1% or 5%? (The latter matters a little).
I assume somewhere in between -- that it's be 2% or so...

But I've never seen anyone do a test on with and without sideview mirrors.

Are you assuming they are ONLY mirrors? They aren't. Other things in there like the wifi and cellular antennas.

 

[davraker]

I suspect you will get infinite miles, at least, after you are pulled over by the police and made to tow your car.

 

[RichardL]

umm....the point of blinkers is for others to see your intent. The point of side mirrors is for you to see, though to actually make a lane change, you need to look over. So they have nothing to do with each other.

I think the point about the blinkers is that when you indicate, the camera view is displayed on the screen - so you indicate and then look at the video on the screen instead of looking in the mirror

 

[DaveE]

• Sorry, I searched for mirror, and the other thread didn't show up. Once I posted this, it did below. I didn't mean to start a redundant thread.
• Yes, the point of "blinker" was that it shows what I can see in the mirror via the camera, and I do use that a bit. But usually, I turn my head.
• It does sound like with the WiFi antenna in there and other issues (service) it sounds like a lot of pain for a modest benefit in range, and a slight decrease in wind noise, so it just isn't worth it.

The other thread had what I was looking for, someone that tried it, and got the results, which were nominal -- 308 vs 301w/mile (≈2%)... which translates to 7 miles range on a full charge. e.g. not enough to matter.

removing MY side mirrors

Let's be honest, the side mirrors suck. I never look at them, and when I do I am always disappointed. I have cameras on both sides anyway. And yes, it's legal in texas to only have one Rear View mirror. I have a plan to get rid of them altogether, but I'm looking for some input on whether...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[Eto Demerzel]

Basically, it matters at freeway speeds. If most of your travel is stop and go or urban runabout than it matters little.
No idea % increase but it would be noticable. Unfortunately, I believe low profile camera side mirrors are not legal in the US yet. Maybe they are, I seem to remember Audi has a few as well as Hyundai but afaik, not for the US market.

"Note that the power needed to push an object through a fluid increases as the cube of the velocity. A car cruising on a highway at 50 mph (80 km/h) may require only 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) to overcome aerodynamic drag, but that same car at 100 mph (160 km/h) requires 80 hp (60 kW).[16] With a doubling of speed the drag (force) quadruples per the formula. Exerting 4 times the force over a fixed distance produces 4 times as much work. At twice the speed the work (resulting in displacement over a fixed distance) is done twice as fast. Since power is the rate of doing work, 4 times the work done in half the time requires 8 times the power."

 

[ATPMSD]

As an academic exercise, yes you will see a minor increase in range but…

• You lose the WiFi antenna
• You lose the Cellular antenna
• You get tickets which will likely cost you more than you save with a minimal increase in range.