Using vortex generators to improve rear vision mirror aerodynamic flow

[delman]

I did this on my 4x4, I noticed rain stagnating on the window, making it hard to see, and hard to crack the window down a little. I did the same test and instantly noticed a difference! Even less noise!

One area that was still turbulent was around the weather shield!

[jasonrivers]

I remember explaining why I cut in half a formula 5000(?) Aerofoil, before mounting it under the car, either side of the tail-shaft and bolted to the inner sills- it was partially to overcome the lift of the notch back windscreen, but I really wanted it to cool the twin Brooklands mufflers I had fitted under the boot floor.
I also put a plywood panel, from a chin spoiler, to the front crossmember, and was amazed by the difference, mate.
Love your videos- good to see an Australian presenter, mate!

[Tarex_]

You should have a 3d printer, especially for those small things. i know a knife and a little wedge might be quicker but much more variation possible with the 3d printer

[southerndiy]

Really glad to find this video and your channel, Julian. I will try this on my 80 series Landcruiser side mirrors.

Love Autospeed and have been reading it since the early 2000s - it definitely shaped my thinking in regards to cars.

[benjohnson]

Thanks! I can see these tweaks becoming very popular with electric vehicles. Wind noise is a lot more obvious with the absence of a noisy combustion engine, and every skerrick of efficiency helps range. Great idea. 👍

[michaelsillymoose]

Thank you Julian, your videos are so interesting. On my 2016 Suzuki Jimny, I discovered by accident that reducing the air flow between body and mirror reduces noise noticeably. Had a different mod in mind but I'm going to try this immediately.
I started our researching how to reduce heat build up in the Jimny's engine bay and now your videos are enlightening me :-)

[robertolouth]

Today I order a copy pf your book, fascinating

[bxyw]

Wow bunnings sells aero packages, nice!

[Crysmatic]

Instead of a nice rounded A pillar, newer cars have sharp edges to guide rain water over the car instead of onto the side windows. I could see this helping with wind buffeting. There are small spoilers for sale to help with this.

[garrettmillard]

Thank you. I will let you know if this works on my noisy Toyota.

[alexandervanwyk]

I always wanted to ask you whether you knew about VG's. If only people would realize how valuable this content of yours is. (For free). We put VG's in front of aircraft wings, staggered and angled at about 20 degrees with remarkable effect of lowering the landing speed yet not affecting the cruising speed.

[gregorykusiak]

VGs or channel guides? I’m more inclined towards referring to these as the latter in this case: there might be a pressure bubble on the forward facing side of the mirror housing that you’re helping back into the significant flow around/past the A-pillar- showing it where to deflate to. Regardless, this is an awesome little tweak!

[bo_b]

thanks a lot! will try it on my noisy tourneo.

[JamesParus]

interestin as I have the same mercedes. have you done any tail modifications or rear glass. during rain it looks like water is staying still at the rear glass, it's not going up or down.

[draguroyalty]

Bro that’s from the movie with Matt Damon and Christian Bale, ford vs Ferrari Love it

[qztronic]

hi, I have a Toyota C-HR and there’s a noticeable wind noise at both rear mirror at highway speed, can you please make a video on … perhaps where is the sound are from and how people can use VG to reduce it. Thank you really like your vids.

[xiangwenyan]

Nice job and good video, could you give me some comparations on acoustic results? Will it be a loud noise source or a non-speaking part?

[gregorykusiak]

Small things like this may not be easily measured, but enough of them together can have noticeable effects. Mind the pennies, the pounds/dollars/euros mind themselves!

I’d love to see some throttle stop testing done in a car that has been “treated” and then with the treatments removed - even on a car like the Insight, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a 5km/h (or greater) drop in top speed without the treatments.

[rp]

Apparently a mirror on a stalk is better. 89 Toyota Supra had a wing type mirror, the 90 had a notch in it to make it more like a stalk. 15 Fiat 500e has a mirror on a stock that angles up from the door at about 45°

[harrycover]

The height of VGs must be equivalent to the thickness of the local BL