Who will be grill blocking soon?

well, it was 96 yesterday...

 

i know, it changes fast, doesn't it? but i won't block until it stabilizes in the 40's or so. i'm too worried about overheating.

 

no, and some have posted in the past that it overheats easily?

 

Black Friday seems like a good time to do it around here....

 

When daytime highs are only in the low 50's, then I see it as time to block. The benefit of heat-retention doesn't reveal itself until temps are below freezing anyway.

 

Hey guys,

What is the purpose of blocking? I don't believe I have ever heard of it before.

 

You must be either really young or from the south. Here in Minnesota, it was common practice decades back. Every winter, you'd block to keep warm and make the engine run better.

Nowadays with a Prius, you do it to make the engine shut off sooner and stay off longer. That reduces the MPG penalty associated with winter driving.

 

^ Speeds up warm-up. Also, in winter "fully warmed" (say around 90C, 190F) is often never reached; grill blocking can help get you closer.

 

I blocked mine last Fall and didn't remove it. No Problems noticed.

 

For how much and when, have a read:

2010 Prius Grill Blocking strategy | PriusChat

(bottom line, you need to be careful blocking the upper zone, the radiator for the hybrid motor inverter is in that area.)

 

I left the top opening of the upper grille open for that reason.

 

Thanks for that!

 

how about a procedure for this grill blocking for newbie such as me,,like how to do .parts needed etc

 

3/4" pipe insulation is commonly used. That the styrofoam split-tube for wrapping of (nom) 3/4" dia copper plumbing pipe. It has an outside diameter of around 1.5". It basically crimps on to the grill slats:

Tubolit 1-1/2 in. IPS x 1/2 in. Polyethylene Semi-Split Pipe Insulation - 96 Lineal Feet/Carton-DGT11012S at The Home Depot

Some cut into short sections, interrupt at each vertical bar. Personally I just run a single tube full width, and secure it at both ends with some velcro tape:


Velcro® Plant Tie - Lee Valley Tools

 

1/2" is the other option available. With it, you squish the foam into each grille slot rather than use tape or string to hold it in place.

 

Thanks John,
Thats what I have done since 2005 have not lost a piece of foam yet, works great!
and it's cheap!

 

All the things I've missed by living in places where one goes somewhere else to experience snow and freezing weather, for recreation! (Born and raised in Texas, then transplanted to California.)