Boy this car likes the warmth I Blocked front grille to experiment

You can't get a much more simple full lower grill block than the one I made and showed a page or two back. One piece of stiff plastic and two anchor bolts.

I find it sufficient without overtaxing the inverter coolant temp. Just find a stiff piece of something that you can work withheld, drill two holes, and place two anchor bolts. Attach to car.

Even a caveman can do it. More detailed pictures available if needed.

 

Decided since it's dropped to the 20's here in Indy, I would go ahead and make this $2 mod. Didn't completely block the grill, but I figured this would improve the warmth of the engine at start up. I'll give it a test run tomorrow morning.

 

Nice pic! That looks better then I was thinking. What size is that and brand of foam? I may try it on my since it looks decent on yours? Is that foam black or charcoal? It looks black but when I went to Loews it was charcoal?

 

I blocked my grill using the pipe insulation and thought it worked. Took it off when I took the C in for the 10,000 mile service. Got lazy and never put it back on. Since then temps have fallen even more but mileage has gone up - even with snow tires on!

 

That is the charcoal that I have on mine. It probably looks darker being that I took the picture in my garage at night.
On my commute this morning I didn't actually get any better milage, however, the cabin air heated a lot faster I think.

 

Lol now that's wild? So MPG went up un blocked?

 

The more I drive this car the more I like it. Fifty MPG in the winter with snow tires. Great car!

 

So I'm not sure if I am getting better gas milage necessarily with my grill blocked with pipe insulation.
Am I the only one who doesn't have proven data?

 

No, I see improved mileage, sometimes, but on days when it is 20 degrees I could not say that. Also the winter gas where I live causes me problems. Can't wait for it to warm back up so my mileage goes back up with it. Hoping I can remove it in March.
Dan

 

This is for the GenIII but is applicable. See Bob's post at the bottom.

Why mileage gets worse in winter | Page 5 | PriusChat

 

Wow amazing data they put up there. Worth a look for everyone.

 

Yes, thanks for the link.
Dan

 

Lots of good input on this thread. It's down to the low 30's here at night and 55 during the day, and while my mpg has declined, I'm more concerned about defrosting the windshield and heating up the windows in general so I can see to drive in the mornings. While I don't have a scanguage or any of that, I agree with the earlier poster that said that if the car doesn't overheat when its 100* outside and the asphalt is sending even hotter air into the car, then its not going to with having the grill blocked.

My only concern was will the grill area get hot enough to melt the pipe insulators? The absolute last thing I want to do is damage the car.

 

I can see that maybe being an issue when the outside temperatures are 110+, but I don't see it being an issue before that. The way I installed mine, they pop out easily enough by hand (but have not come out or even loosened on their own)... when it gets warm enough that I think they need to be removed, I'll just pop them out and keep them in a plastic bag until next winter.

 

Well, Edmonton is getting the load of snow and cold tonight. -28C (-18F).
Just found out about this blocked grill with isulation pipe thread last night, gave it a go today before it gets really cold. I think I have already seen an improvement. After just a few rides doing errands, I found he ICE doesn't run as long to warm up and got my mileage up too, even though it was colder than in the past few days.

I'm still not convinced, need to run the C more before I approve. It's worth a shot, all you believers can't have "placebo effect" can you?

 

If you're going to do a partial block, say 25 or 50%, where do you block? Upper or lower? Left, right or middle?

 

I blocked the whole top and bottom. Even with a full block, it is not sealed and air is still getting through, just not as much.
By the way, left of top grill, I noticed a square tube kinda thing. I didn't look to see where it goes/directs air so I didn't block it, thinking its the intake to the airbox...like I said, I didn't verify the path of the tube.

 

I've only blocked the lower portion on mine, though I keep meaning to do the top parts as well. There are enough other small openings for air to get through, a total grill blocking isn't going to make your engine compartment air tight.

Another way to increase your MPGs is to make sure your tires are properly inflated. Both our Cs came off the lot with 35 PSI ... and I noticed an immediate increase of 5-7 MPGs when I had mine inflated to 42.

 

a few years ago I remember seeing a softer, more rubbery dark-black pipe insulation that I purchased from home depot for use with a Halloween costume. But now I only see the stiffer, lighter gray color pipe insulation. I also would like a darker black. Has anyone seen it for sale any any of the standard stores?

 

So what's the conclusion on size? I purchased both at Home Depot. 1/2 or 3/4? And when you guys install, are you just cutting a slit in one side of it and then just stuffing it in?

Any conclusion on how to block it? I don't want to do the 'full block' in case of the radiator (wherever that is)...