Grill Blocking Summary Article

All the links go to the home page!

It appears that the forum has somehow had a software change, as all the links in this article take me to the PriusChat home page. I've looked at the URLs, and here's what I see:

Current, valid URLs on the forum look something like this:

Code:

http://priuschat.com/forums/knowledge-base-articles-discussion/39901-grill-blocking-summary-article.html

The URLs in this document look like this:

Code:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=27547&st=6

So somewhere, the links became invalid and need to be updated. I have no idea how difficult this would be, but it may be darn near impossible. If so, I ask that the owner of the post (or a moderator) just add a note that the links are broken, so those of us new people don't tear our hair out trying to make them work

Other than that, great information - thanks!

 

Re: All the links go to the home page!

yep i just found same problem trying to get to an article in a different post in the tehnical forum. it took me to the home page.

 

The links don't work for me. They take me to the Prius Chat home page. Nothing on the home page in any way references the linked item. Sorry, because this stuff is really interesting. Thanks! -- Barb B

 

john, sorry to hear your mileage did not improve, but if its any consolation, this has been the coldest winter in years for our area. we have gone thru the past 3-4 weeks with temps averaging 4-6 degrees lower than normal.

i will post my lowest ever tank from two different cars and over 50,000 miles today... not part is a new driver, but she has been driving the Pri for 11 weeks and this is the worst so far.

 

Re: Grille Blocking Summary Article

It appears as though the improvement is little to none when the temperature dips below 20°F. The results of January averaged to the same MPG as previous years.

So expectations should take climate into account. Here in Minnesota, we exceed a cold threshold... because my data certainly hasn't shown a difference.

There is obvious improvement when it's warmer though.
.

 

wow, i guess in your case, you need to look at materials used, blocking methods, (make sure the nooks and crannies are blocked)...have you tried the insulation in the engine compartment? i think a few have tried that.

its not cold enough usually for me to go to that extreme. another grill blocking benefit is that cabin heat is available much faster. we are talking water temps at 150 within 3 minutes instead of 6-8... on a 15 minute commute like mine, that difference is key

 

The research I do is for joe-average owner, not the Prius enthusiast.

Not going beyond the basics means I can reach beyond the scope of this forum via the very large number of User-Guide downloads every month... since some owners simply aren't the type to ever participate in online discussions, but they search & download & try stuff. KISS, ya know.

And even without seeing a MPG difference in the extreme cold, there is still that benefit of getting heat sooner.
.

 

Re: Grille Blocking Summary Article

...which I am now seeing. Driving with a blocked grille at freezing point instead makes a huge difference in efficiency. I'm happy to report it jumping up 6 MPG.

So those that don't live in as hostile of an environment should definitely see the benefit. It's well worth the $2 spent on foam pipe insulation!
.

 

I've been trying to tell people [notably mods] about the buggered
link problem for a week now over in the website-questions
section, but nobody's listening.
.
_H*

 

Greetings folks,

Based on the information in this thread and my first week with the new Prius, it looks like I can probably benefit significantly from blocking all or part of my grille. Around here, it's common practice for Diesel-fueled vehicles to block their grilles, and I've seen some folks with gasoline engines do it as well. From what I've seen there are some that sport a vehicle-specific, made-to-fit blocker. To the knowledge of the experts on this subject, is anything similar made for the Prius?

While I admire the look of the insulation tubing when done right, I fear that I don't have the patience of expertise to really do a good job with it. If there is something out there that is made to fit and has an 'OEM' look to it, that would be much preferable.

 

I don't believe there is anything out there that is pre-made. I think the closest to OEM look is the one I used, though there are others who've made it just that much better looking with great attention to detail.

By using the foam insulation intended for exterior A/C use (dark and closed-celled foam), you get flexibility at low temps plus a very dark surface that simply "fades to black."

Here is the first posting I did with pictures.

This was a posting in Tony Schaefer's First Morning with a Blocked Grill post. My Grill Blocking Summary Article has all sorts of info about the various options, but the links were lost during the last upgrade, and have not been corrected. Perhaps I can get this done before next Winter!

a priori

 

Look at the thread and products by Hybrideffects. He is perfecting the item in question and there are some interesting pictures of the first production run after it was installed. Looks pretty good. Method of attachment is up to the buyer.

 

At "low temps"? No. Sorry, but real winter is quite the opposite. Everything here gets bleached saltly white. So, cheapo gray works just fine... as shown here.

.

 

?? Did I say something wrong? Offensive? I don't quite get the response, John. Certainly, you've got much more experience than I, but this winter the black foam worked pretty well for me.

Perhaps I should have taken some "after" pictures to show what the dark black looks like after a full winter. There is no doubt the "cheapo gray" works just fine, but I have heard of some people who have had the gray fall out or break. The black worked very well for me this past winter. It stayed in place and stayed "invisible" -- really just un-noticeable. We use salt in Chicago, too, (too much, really) and I didn't have any salty buildup during the winter. Further, the foam survived many automatic car washes.

It is true the black foam costs more, but I preferred the look against the chrome on top, black on bottom and silver pine mica color. I think it is just a matter of taste. I probably spent a few dollars more for the black, and it was worth the expense for me.

 

It's called playful banter. Your suggestion was just as valid as mine. But "one size fits all" responses never work for such a diverse market. So, interjection of another in a joking manner should have been anticipated. No harm darn.

I believe that comes from spanning multiple slots, instead of squeezing into a single one. Mine were squeezed last Fall and haven't moved at all sicne then, even from the car wash.

.

 

Sorry, John. I'm usually a bit better than that!

No, one size does not fit all -- price, color and ease of application make a big difference. This is one reason I put together the summary article.

I think my general version comes fairly close to an OEM look, though I know there was someone who posted pictures of an even cleaner work. I believe it required much cutting and sizing, and I just wasn't into the effort of it all!

 

Is there a possibility that we can get the links on the 1st post fixed?

I've now moved to WA state and the OATs when I do my drives are between 30 and 50F nowadays. That combined w/my ultra short drives now (~2 miles at a a time), makes me think I'd benefit from grill blocking.

 

doing an experiment with the SPM. last tank posted was after winter formula change over and no grill blocking. filled and blocked grill, will see what the next tank does.

typical driving, in town, work commute 5 miles one way.

granted, weather will most likely be a bit colder, but we see