Comments on: Top 7 Aftermarket MPG-Boosting Prius Accessories

By: Frank Smith

Frank Smith — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:48:02 +0000

The K&N filter does not work. Too many product testing groups have said that it does not work on any hybrids. You say that the stiffner doesn't work, but you got suckered into buying K&N.

I've used K&N in all types of vehicles and it only works really good on cars with a carburetor. Plus, I'm a former mechanic and can tell you for sure that they don't work as advertised.

By: lojmuscle

lojmuscle — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:22:09 +0000

Chassis stiffner is a waste of $$$$$$$$. Google the Voranado a device that supposedyly causes a “tornado-like” air flow into a car’s intake. Bunk! all it does is reduce air-flow, yet company has made lots of $$$ selling them!!! Folks- its a small piece of aluminium!!! It does not improve cornering-dimensions too small ,and it will not improve MPG! I reccomend K&N air filter. I put one on my 2009 Prius and I noticed the difference right away- BTW K&N offers money back guarantee!!!

By: tapra1

tapra1 — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:18:26 +0000

The Kiwi device plugs right into your existing on board diagnostic port near your steering column in a matter of seconds. Technology Review

By: Ute Bull Bars

Ute Bull Bars — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:40:02 +0000

These are some very cool tools that has been listed on here. Some of them sounds alright such as the nav cap and ipod adapter, but how assured can we be that the rest of the gadgets would equally work well. I have to say I agree with ‘Anonymous’ and ‘AP’ on this. Still I would like to give kudos to the author of this post. Quite a creative one!

By: younona

younona — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:05:54 +0000

I suggest you the transfagarasan = route. See why on this video – Top Gear in Romania – http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/video-top-gear-in-romania-ar81713.html

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:05:47 +0000

"proper alignment (steering and suspension geometry) allow a vehicle to track easier, ..."

Do you know what you are saying here? By saying car would be properly aligned, you are basically saying the car is not properly aligned to begin with. So now the plate helps the suspension too? COME ON! What are you going to tell me next? The plate is going to help the car float in the air?

You can explain it anyway you want to, the science don't make any sense in multiple angles. Even if the plate weights an ounce, it's NOT CONTRIBUTING to the efficiency side to make it happen. Drop the snake oil claim and I just might believe the suppose handling benefits.

By: hybridkansas

hybridkansas — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:13:26 +0000

Folks, the chassis stiffener will indeed have a miniscule improvement in mileage. It’s really quite simple: proper alignment (steering and suspension geometry) allow a vehicle to track easier, no matter if cornering or driving straight. The device is machined from light billet aluminum so would have a trivial effect on weight.

By: AP

AP — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:23:46 +0000

"Ask any aftermarket performance shop or driver and they will agree."

Aftermarket performance shops are often wrong, and they have a vested interest in selling you whatever they have-effective or not.

"In science, we have the law of diminishing returns where it gets harder and harder to "improve" each step of the way."

That's true, and that's why it is harder and harder to improve fuel economy economically by adding electric motors, batteries, etc., to make a hybrid. The added mass and cost of the hardware puts you in a hole that you have to make up for.

But this chassis stiffener is one step beyond that. Even if the Prius is a basket case for body structure, the miniscule amount of energy that would go into body flex would never register 0.001 MPG difference.

You are dragging more mass around, however, so it will REDUCE your mileage on that account. The brace probably makes the car feel better-they should just leave it at that.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:18:05 +0000

I’d disagree… if one is doing that much cornering, it is more likely the gain is due to slower travel speeds rather than improved turning performance.

By: Mikey95112

Mikey95112 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:52:08 +0000

Intuitively, chasis stiffening does not sound like mileage performance improvement. But consider this, handling improvements do indeed improve cornering and traction. Thus, while seemingly insignificant, being able to improve by putting more horsepower applied to the road, there is "some" mileage gains. Ask any aftermarket performance shop or driver and they will agree. Their goal may be only to improve 1/4 mile performance or 0 to 60 times, but it can up add up when looking at a full tank of gas. Consider this, even a fraction of a mile improvement per gallon of gas is exactly that. Multiply that by 10 gal per tankful of gallons of gas per year. Don't expect a miracle when you already own a very efficient Prius. In science, we have the law of diminishing returns where it gets harder and harder to "improve" each step of the way. But knowing you have a Prius, you're way ahead of all those gas guzzlers!