Another crazy mpg question
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 34
Likes: 10
Another crazy mpg question
I noticed the power fold mirrors will let you fold them in while driving, which surprised me. When driving on an open, deserted stretch of highway, does anybody fold them in for better gas mileage? Or maybe tot doesn’t impact enough to be worth it?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,686
Likes: 12,808
From: Wyoming
Yeah, I've done this. Usually in Wyoming when I'm fighting a 40+ MPH headwind. There's nobody out here to need to look for. It's not like I'm going to be passing anyone when the speed limit is 80 and I'm only doing 70 (towing). Does it matter? When towing, probably not. When not towing, it's probably not enough to worry about, but it does cut down on the wind noise.
My mirrors don't extend wide enough to see the trailer tires, so if that's what you're keeping the mirrors out for, it won't work for me.
My mirrors don't extend wide enough to see the trailer tires, so if that's what you're keeping the mirrors out for, it won't work for me.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 712
Yeah, I've done this. Usually in Wyoming when I'm fighting a 40+ MPH headwind. There's nobody out here to need to look for. It's not like I'm going to be passing anyone when the speed limit is 80 and I'm only doing 70 (towing). Does it matter? When towing, probably not. When not towing, it's probably not enough to worry about, but it does cut down on the wind noise.
My mirrors don't extend wide enough to see the trailer tires, so if that's what you're keeping the mirrors out for, it won't work for me.
My mirrors don't extend wide enough to see the trailer tires, so if that's what you're keeping the mirrors out for, it won't work for me.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 7,955
Likes: 4,039
Whats funny is this same question came up way way back when gas prices rose up over $4 a gallon a decade ago. Thats how I found out, it doesn't make any difference worth doing it because been there, and actually done that.
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 604
Likes: 205
While I would generally agree, I find it really useful if I get stuck going down a narrow road and I see another big truck coming my way. Nice to pull the mirrors in for a minute or two to avoid both of us losing 1k+ mirrors.
Now hypothetically thinking, if it did make a real difference and you were cruising down the highway in the slow lane, AND you could turn your 360 cameras on to show what's going on to either side, might not be horribly unsafe to keep an eye on that and then pop the mirrors out if you think you might need to make a move between lanes.
BUT you never know when a jerk is going to come out of nowhere, cut you off, and then slam on the brakes. If you have barely enough time to react you won't have enough time to put your mirrors out, check for car in next lane over, then move over to avoid a wreck. Happens to me a lot where some small car cuts me off only to slam on their brakes and turn off the road, so I'd never have my mirrors in while driving for anything longer than for a single oncoming large truck to pass.
Now hypothetically thinking, if it did make a real difference and you were cruising down the highway in the slow lane, AND you could turn your 360 cameras on to show what's going on to either side, might not be horribly unsafe to keep an eye on that and then pop the mirrors out if you think you might need to make a move between lanes.
BUT you never know when a jerk is going to come out of nowhere, cut you off, and then slam on the brakes. If you have barely enough time to react you won't have enough time to put your mirrors out, check for car in next lane over, then move over to avoid a wreck. Happens to me a lot where some small car cuts me off only to slam on their brakes and turn off the road, so I'd never have my mirrors in while driving for anything longer than for a single oncoming large truck to pass.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
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Sorry, just a little tidbit.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 886
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Yeah, I've done this. Usually in Wyoming when I'm fighting a 40+ MPH headwind. There's nobody out here to need to look for. It's not like I'm going to be passing anyone when the speed limit is 80 and I'm only doing 70 (towing). Does it matter? When towing, probably not. When not towing, it's probably not enough to worry about, but it does cut down on the wind noise.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,686
Likes: 12,808
From: Wyoming
Toy hauler. Wider than the truck. Tires don't stick out from the trailer.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 752
Likes: 519
I know. I hate that. Years ago I started aiming my mirrors out to cove the blind spot. I find it more valuable for visibility and it will take the headlights of the car directly behind you out of your side mirrors.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 574
I do remember back in the day (early 90's) when guys would lower tailgates, or even remove them, for better mileage. I did it once on my 4 cyl S-10, and it did boost a 1 or 2 mpg on a highway trip.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 878
From: Rome as it burns
Hahahaha I experimented with this once between Sweetwater and Lubbock. (Thought I was the only weirdo that thought about such a thing)
122 miles of flat boring terrain and wind turbines
Mirrors out headed there.
Mirrors in headed back.
Zero difference in mpg
122 miles of flat boring terrain and wind turbines
Mirrors out headed there.
Mirrors in headed back.
Zero difference in mpg