Hmm, I’m feeling kind of stupid now. So we don’t have mud flaps ‘and’ we have these stupid things that break easily? Do they at least help with efficiency?Don’t “mud flaps” go behind the tires
They are there for a reason. Based on our tests, not having them can affect wh/mi by 2%–5%, depending on your speed
That is significant. Thank you.
It's a shame that these "aero flaps" aren't made of something more flexible, like silicone, so that they can survive modest impacts. But I suppose if they are insufficiently rigid, they will indeed "flap" and thus reduce their effectiveness.
I've been wondering about these fairings for some time, like why Tesla didn't call them mud flaps. Now I know. Sadly, early on I ordered Tesla mud flaps from the store but put them in storage thinking that they were just duplicates of what was on the truck. After my recent fairing break I pulled them out and they didn't seem to fit so I put them back in storage. From this discussion I realize that the reason is that they go on the other side of the wheel well. I used to think that I had a brain but no I am wondering. Unfortunately, whether a fairing or a mud flap they are still the same plastic and will break no matter what side of the wheel well they are on, as you say. If the fairings provide a 2%-5% improvement on range I wonder if the mud flaps take it away again.It's a shame that these "aero flaps" aren't made of something more flexible, like silicone, so that they can survive modest impacts. But I suppose if they are insufficiently rigid, they will indeed "flap" and thus reduce their effectiveness.
The front ones are easy to replace, and to be honest they really aren't that expensive to get from Tesla.
Great job, dude! I broke the front driver's side fairing, running over a detached, recapped rubber tire piece. Found the part in Tesla's part catalog for my VIN. $40, $51 with taxes and shipping.
