When to remove lower grill block?

moredes15 · 02-06-2007, 07:48 PM

I don't have CAN-view. I blocked the grills completely about a month ago during the ~30* temperatures. However, the weather is warming up here. It's been in the high 50's, and we've had a couple days between 60-62*. We've driven the Prius during those 60-62* temps with no apparent problems, but that was only for short, sporadic trips no longer than ~6 miles at a time so I'm pretty sure the engine never really got a chance to warm up anyway.

What do the average outdoor temperatures have to be, for ya'll to think I should remove the lower grill blocks completely?

Thank you.

**efusco** · 02-06-2007, 08:58 PM

When temps are consistantly above 60 I think I'd remove the lower just to be safe. Upper when consistantly 70. My numbers, no data, just rough guide based on observed temps.

Frank Hudon · 02-06-2007, 10:49 PM

without posting where you live we're unable to conclude if you have hills in your commute or if your primarialy on flat ground. That said if you have hills at all I'd pull both when the OAT gets to 50F I have hills and with the blockers in and 50F I can consistantly get the ICE to 95+C. That is the temp at which I feel that the effect of the blockers becomes a potential issue. If you have instrumentation you can judge for yourself if the ICE is getting to hot or not. Flat land only and all short trips 60F would be my limit. Best is to get instrumentation.

**Tideland Prius** · 02-08-2007, 01:58 PM

Frank, the upper grill on mine can stay on til 15°C?

Frank Hudon · 02-08-2007, 09:17 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 8 2007, 10:58 AM) [snapback]387113[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Frank, the upper grill on mine can stay on til 15°C?
[/b]

what I noticed on the 2k4 is with the upper open I couldn't get the temps up. I think it's the other way around, both in till 15C and then upper out till 15C in the morning then pull the lower as well. Jon do you have any method of monitoring the temps?

**Tideland Prius** · 02-08-2007, 11:34 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frank Hudon @ Feb 8 2007, 06:17 PM) [snapback]387218[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

what I noticed on the 2k4 is with the upper open I couldn't get the temps up. I think it's the other way around, both in till 15C and then upper out till 15C in the morning then pull the lower as well. Jon do you have any method of monitoring the temps?
[/b]

Nope. That's why I'm following Evan's rule of lower removed if T=50F and upper removed if T=70F

**TonyPSchaefer** · 02-08-2007, 11:48 PM

I'm planning on keeping mine on until I see a constant OAT above 45F.

**Tideland Prius** · 02-09-2007, 01:42 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Feb 8 2007, 08:48 PM) [snapback]387288[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm planning on keeping mine on until I see a constant OAT above 45F.
[/b]

lol.. waay ahead of you. It's been above that since our last snowfall in early Jan. It hit 11°C today!

Frank Hudon · 02-09-2007, 01:52 AM

at first I blocked the lower opening completely and couldn't get the ICE to go over 75C in normal driving,5 to 10 mile trips in town. Ran that way for about a month till one sunday coming home from grocery shopping I said there has got to be some reason for it not getting to 87C so went and got the pipe insulation and cut strips and plugged the upper grills and volia the temps get to 87C with normal driving around town. It's picked up about .2l per hun. since then. Those readings were from driving it on the weekends and wondering why it wasn't climbing. Even went and bought a thermostat and gasket and was convinced that it was the thermostat till I blocked the upper. That's why I say leave it blocked till the temps get to about 15C consistantly in the afternoon then when it gets to be in the 15 range in the morning out will come the lower blocker. Someone else with a CAN-view could confirm my findings just in a mornings drive to work. Tony? Evan? takers? No forget Tony his car would complain! out loud. That leaves only Evan.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 02-09-2007, 08:47 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 9 2007, 12:42 AM) [snapback]387322[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

lol.. waay ahead of you. It's been above that since our last snowfall in early Jan. It hit 11°C today! [/b]

Wait a minute! It's warmer in Canada than it is in Chicago?

02-06-2007, 10:49 PM	#3
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	without posting where you live we're unable to conclude if you have hills in your commute or if your primarialy on flat ground. That said if you have hills at all I'd pull both when the OAT gets to 50F I have hills and with the blockers in and 50F I can consistantly get the ICE to 95+C. That is the temp at which I feel that the effect of the blockers becomes a potential issue. If you have instrumentation you can judge for yourself if the ICE is getting to hot or not. Flat land only and all short trips 60F would be my limit. Best is to get instrumentation. __________________ You can quote me on this, People who drive vehicles that idle at a traffic light, are idiots. mine 2k3 avg. 5.36 for 46,915Km Best tank 4.4L per 100K 64.2 Imperial 53.4 U.S. gallon, MiniScanner, SilverStars, block heater, winter lips, in as of Oct 15, out on April 25. In again on Sept. 21st. her's 2k4 "B" avg. 6.01 for 42,317 Km Best tank 4.02L per 100K, CAN-view with OBD11 module and flashloader, SilverStars, 06 Chrome grill bar, Michelin HydroEdge, upper and lower grill blocker,upper out as of April 7, lower out on April 28. In again on Sept 21st.

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02-06-2007, 07:48 PM	#1
moredes15 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 28 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I don't have CAN-view. I blocked the grills completely about a month ago during the ~30* temperatures. However, the weather is warming up here. It's been in the high 50's, and we've had a couple days between 60-62. We've driven the Prius during those 60-62 temps with no apparent problems, but that was only for short, sporadic trips no longer than ~6 miles at a time so I'm pretty sure the engine never really got a chance to warm up anyway. What do the average outdoor temperatures have to be, for ya'll to think I should remove the lower grill blocks completely? Thank you.

02-06-2007, 08:58 PM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,228 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	When temps are consistantly above 60 I think I'd remove the lower just to be safe. Upper when consistantly 70. My numbers, no data, just rough guide based on observed temps.

02-08-2007, 01:58 PM	#4
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,604 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 343 Times in 242 Posts Friends: 23	Frank, the upper grill on mine can stay on til 15°C?

02-08-2007, 11:48 PM	#7
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,497 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 164 Times in 105 Posts Friends: 23	I'm planning on keeping mine on until I see a constant OAT above 45F.

02-09-2007, 01:52 AM	#9
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	at first I blocked the lower opening completely and couldn't get the ICE to go over 75C in normal driving,5 to 10 mile trips in town. Ran that way for about a month till one sunday coming home from grocery shopping I said there has got to be some reason for it not getting to 87C so went and got the pipe insulation and cut strips and plugged the upper grills and volia the temps get to 87C with normal driving around town. It's picked up about .2l per hun. since then. Those readings were from driving it on the weekends and wondering why it wasn't climbing. Even went and bought a thermostat and gasket and was convinced that it was the thermostat till I blocked the upper. That's why I say leave it blocked till the temps get to about 15C consistantly in the afternoon then when it gets to be in the 15 range in the morning out will come the lower blocker. Someone else with a CAN-view could confirm my findings just in a mornings drive to work. Tony? Evan? takers? No forget Tony his car would complain! out loud. That leaves only Evan.