Bug Shield -vs- Gas Milage

[Oakheart]

I have a 93 Explorer Sport with one of the low profile bug shields. I was wondering if any of you knew what that did to the gas milage? Of course it needs all the miles it can get.

 

[aldive]

Mine did and I removed it. Funny thing is that I notived no difference in buggs with or without the deflector.

Its only a mieage detremet at highway speeds.

An added bonus is that your truck will look much better with it gone.

 

[Oakheart]

Cool

Well how much diff did it make to the miles?

 

[sunbum]

Don't forget the gain in potential gas mileage as a result of removing it is directly proportional and/or decreased by the size of bugs now stuck to your window...

P.S. Also makes for a good spot to put the letters

!E V O M

 

[Oakheart]

Ha ha

Good for a chuckle if nothing else. I suppose that's to be expected from a sun bum

 

[MattStarr]

I dont think they are great at keeping bugs off the windshield, but they DEFINATELY help prevent stone chips in your hood!!!

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Originally posted by MattStarr
I dont think they are great at keeping bugs off the windshield, but they DEFINATELY help prevent stone chips in your hood!!!

I second that notion.

 

[Oakheart]

Thanks

 

[nkexplrr]

They are also great for covering up those rock chips on the front part of the hood where it covers it.

 

[InDaRubarb]

Personally,I like the look of the deflector on my rig,it goes well with the other accessories on it.But as for the functionality of it, it is great for deflecting bugs from hitting my windshield wipers,and sends them splattering directly in my field of view.In regards to fuel economy,I belive that the four big *ss hella lights up top and the roof mounted spare acount for much more of the juice consumption than a little piece of plastic.Mind you, I don't wheel an Xplorer for the fuel economy...I wheel an Xplorer becuase it's just plain cool !!! lol

 

[kloadman97]

ok it appears some people like them, some don't, and the opinions vary as to how useful they really are at deflecting bugs. But does anyone have any solid evidence, perhaps some gas milage calculations with and without the deflector attached? I can't imagine as low as some of those things sit, they are going to make more of a difference in fuel economy than say the adjustable luggage rack bars on the top of the car.

 

[X~FACTOR]

One thing I learn with them things is that they attract leaves. They get deep inside of it that the only way to clean them off is to take them off the truck every time. Also, do not get the clear color. Dirt accumulated show through.

 

[MONMIX]

Well, I know for a fact when I removed my roof rack, my MPG's improved

 

[MattStarr]

Originally posted by MONMIX
Well, I know for a fact when I removed my roof rack, my MPG's improved

A little skinny luggage rack hurts MPG that much?? So you mean my brushgaurd and hellas are really hurting my MPG's?? I just figured because the X was so "boxy", that arrow dynamics dont really play that big of a roll.

BTW... i got 420 miles of out of a tank on the highway... I dont think my roofrack hinders me that much

 

[N7XME]

I used to have a bug deflector on my '92 Toyota PU back before I bought the X. When I managed to break the end off while out playing I just took the whole thing off. My MPG improved by about 3 mpg without it. That was a huge improvement for a truck running on 31x12.5 BFGs with a grille guard and four 4x6 fogs on the front. I did pick up a few more rock chips after that though. It had the 3.0 liter V6 in it for those that will ask.

 

[MACP34]

i have a bug deflector and when i put it on, my mileage dropped from 19mpg highway to 18.99mpg highway.

I highly doubt that its creating enough of windfoil to significantly influence fuel mileage. Tank after tank, i know that tire pressure has much more significant effect on fuel economy that a bug deflector.

 

[Oakheart]

Well I removed mine but my milage is still only 14.1 so I will keep working on it. I agree that they are certainly cool and that is why I am driving it instead of the toyota but 14.1 compared to 32 is hard to take.

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

i guess i don't really care,

some vehicles look good with them and others don't


i like the way my Ex looks right now without one

 

[jake the snake]

there cannot be a significant difference in mpg with a bug deflector or a roof rack. i installed both on my rig and there's no noticeable effect. the bug guard weighs what, less than a pound, and bends back at highway speeds anyways.