bug deflector = bad mileage.

I've been driving back and forth about 400k to see my girlfriend for the past couple weekends. I had a bug deflector on for the first three trips back and forth. I got a consistent 15.6 liters per 100k which is a brutal 15mpg. last two trips without the bug deflector each came in at 12.6 liters per 100k or 18.7mpg a drastic difference. my hood and drivers side mirror used to rattle with the bug deflector on as well. not anymore.

 

cool, I personally don't like the looks of the thing but I hear it helps prevent paint chips (which I have a few)

 

I used to have the Toyota OEM smoked one but I took it off and went with a clear bug guard instead.

 

saving that much money in fuel I could get a new paint job in a hurry. I save $3.60 every 100km I drive. i put about 30000km a year on my truck. that's $1080 in fuel I save every year. because i don't have a bug deflector.

 

Wow that's goofy. Were there any other differing variables? Strong headwinds, lower temps, etc? Hard to believe a bug deflector would make it that much worse!

 

that's the laminate stuff like the little piece that comes on the rear fender right?

 

i dunno, i drove there and back twice it was exactly the same both times, so i don't think wind made any difference. i took the same road. it was around the same temperature plus or minus 5 deg or so. i went the same speed, 100km/hr (the speed limit) I drive pretty much the same every time. I'm sure it was the bug deflector. I get the feeling thet is created a huge low pressure zone above the hood. whenever a gust of wind hit my truck, or a semi drove by, the hood looked like it was trying to fly away. because of the low pressure above it, and the higher pressure forced into the engine bay. the hood would pop up at least an inch and a half in the middle.

 

No its like the OEM one but just clear and without the hood clips. It screws under the hood.

 

thats how mine was, it had four screws under the hood.

 

Wow that's crazy. If you are worried about chips, maybe check out a good clear bra type of product. I've got it on my truck and so far so good. Not sure if anyone up there has it, but if you are down in PG, I know that Trim Line installs it. Just doing the front portion of the hood would probably be pretty cost effective.