Effect of Front License Plate

Not sure about that, but I'm certain it has a dramatic cosmetic effect, so I haven't run front plates on my cars in forever.

 

In some states it is a violation of law not to have
a front plate. However when vehicles who do
not have front plates, where front plates are
not required in their licensed state, it is
not a violation of course.

Personally I would perfer not to have
a front plate but in Oregon its the law....

 

You asked for estimates "only" so here's mine ... adding a front plate would adversely affect mpg by less than 1/10th-of-1-percent. In other words - in MY particular situation - if I were to put a front plate on Mithril, I could probably make up the difference by taking half of the coins out of the coin tray; you know ... getting rid of excess weight in the car and all that stuff ...

 

The front license plate increases fuel efficiency by 3.14 % or grater, this has been wind tunnel tested. Just Kidding!


Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.

 

Aerodynamics is not very intuitive. I would accept a wind tunnel test, and not much else.

Bottom line: Take it off if you don't need it. Leave it on if the law requires.

Weight not exchangable for aerodynamics (they affect mileage in different scenarios).

 

My car will not have holes drilled in the front bumper. I have had many summer cars before with no plate. The Prius looks way cleaner without it.

Mike

 

So, your car is not registered in NY

 

we need a lexan nose cone to fit over it like the trucks have above the cab.

 

I see very little effect of a front license plate on account of where it is placed. At the speed that the car travels, because the plate is placed neary the very center of the bumper, the edges create very little cavitation from the edges of the plate. It would be different, if there was an empty space behind the edge to create a la low pressure area which reuslts a lot of vortices.

It would be clear and reasonable to conclude that Toyota has done air flow "smoke trail" and determined the best position for the license plate to create the least disruption of air flow.

 

i think the euro plates are more aerodynamic than u.s.

 

I suspect it will be under one gallon of gas in the life of the car.

 

Neither will mine. I tried to buy a 2012 in the Bay Area, being very specific about not having them install the front plate bracket once the car arrived. Sure enough, once the car arrived they put on the license plate bracket in front. #$%@! idiots (didn't read the notes on the reserve for the vehicle). Now I am waiting on another car (my original order) which may be another month before I see it.

So if anyone is looking for a really nice 2012 Barcelona Red model Five ATP with premium (10 spoke) wheels, check out this and ask for Andrew (you can even tell him that I sent you his way).
2012 Toyota Prius Hybrid Five For Sale | Palo Alto CA .

 

No doubt stupid. I could imagine the meatheads doing the prep work on a car once it rolls off the transport rig. I told my sales lady several times that the deal is off if the car gets drilled. How are you gonna make it another month? The first month is freakin crazy

Mike

 

Depends on what you consider life of the car. 10 years could be much different than a few. I would guess that driving at highway speeds may make any effect worse. I agree with others that it would be nice to have wind tunnel data to put some facts to this. And if the data are compelling perhaps they can be used to get the front plat requirement removed in those locales that are affected.

 

The first month???? I have been waiting over two and a half months so far. Lost my marbles a long time ago.

 

Imagine the metal and other materials saved by not having front plates. Less prep work on a car when it comes into the dealerships.

Mike

 

But,,, at least you have a 2nd Gen to drive. I have a 19 mpg Saturn Vue to drive. It's nice driving, but $$$ in the tank.

Mike