Finally got to pull a grill block today!

[efusco]

Finally had temps pushing 80 today and a forecast suggesting that our near freezing Spring weather is finally over. Just pulled one of the lower grill blocks, but saw some inverter temps in the 127F range, so if temps hold I may pull another one or two tomorrow.

I'm ready for decent weather.

[Santiago]

I was going to remove my lowers and found that one had blown out (I use the pipe wrap variety). Anyway, I'll look for a replacement in the fall. Welcome to Spring!

[Simtronic]

Originally Posted by Santiago

I was going to remove my lowers and found that one had blown out (I use the pipe wrap variety). Anyway, I'll look for a replacement in the fall. Welcome to Spring!

I have never tried the grille block, in a car without temp guage sounds scarry, I have a scan guage now but is it really worth it?

[avocadoman1]

Originally Posted by Simtronic

I have never tried the grille block, in a car without temp guage sounds scarry, I have a scan guage now but is it really worth it?

i'm in Southern California and even i use an upper grill block for the 8 weeks of cold days.
it helped keep me @ 49.8mpg since last summer.
i used the pipe insulation as described on this site.
just removed it 3 weeks ago, however, it's 55 degrees today so i may need to re-install for a few more weeks.

[SageBrush]

Originally Posted by Simtronic

I have never tried the grille block, in a car without temp guage sounds scarry, I have a scan guage now but is it really worth it?

I've yet to install, although I plan to this upcoming winter. Reading others, it sounds like 2 - 5 mpg increase in cold weather. E Fusco combines this block with engine pre-heating from an EBH, and I gather maintains 55+ mpg in cold winter Missouri.

[skruse]

Removed my grill block pipe insulation this week. Warmer ambient air temperatures are pushing fuel economy higher.

[a priori]

I had expected to remove one or perhaps two rows of lower grill blocking this week or weekend. Thanks to a hit-and-run driver (more on that later), I'll be removing all prior to my Monday-morning drop-off at the repair shop.

I use the grill block/EBH combo, and I see that it has increased my MPGs. I had developed a very long Summary Article on Grill Blocking (eventually re-posted by efusco) that could provide some help, but the links were all nixed in an earlier site upgrade. I expect to revise, update and republish that posting during the summer. Hopefully, people will see the benefits to be reaped from this very easy, low-cost "mod" to your Prius.

[effwitt]

Originally Posted by Simtronic

I have never tried the grille block, in a car without temp guage sounds scarry, I have a scan guage now but is it really worth it?

I have my doubts that it helps much once the temps hit 50 F. If you want to get your engine warmed up fast in the winter leave the climate comtrol off until you hit 170 F. It's amazing how fast the temp drops when you're sitting at a stop light on a cold winter day with the heater on even with the grill fully blocked.

[Simtronic]

Originally Posted by a priori

I had expected to remove one or perhaps two rows of lower grill blocking this week or weekend. Thanks to a hit-and-run driver (more on that later), I'll be removing all prior to my Monday-morning drop-off at the repair shop.

I use the grill block/EBH combo, and I see that it has increased my MPGs. I had developed a very long Summary Article on Grill Blocking (eventually re-posted by efusco) that could provide some help, but the links were all nixed in an earlier site upgrade. I expect to revise, update and republish that posting during the summer. Hopefully, people will see the benefits to be reaped from this very easy, low-cost "mod" to your Prius.

Thanks I look forward to that, do you know anything of the 88 degree C thermostat change? I am trying to locate one, I believe that to be a great start in getting the temperatures up there and maybe some blocking to keep it up. I appreciate your comments.

[efusco]

There's no doubt in my mind that it helps a lot in cool weather. Even just blocking upper alone in warm weather is benefitial in that it avoids the ICE cooling below 157F and speeds its warm up to that "magical" temp. As stated, when combined with the EBH I'm able to routinely average in the 60s in the Missouri Ozarks even in the coldest winter months.

Since last October I've only had 2 tanks below 60mpg, and only one below 50mpg--and that was an all interstate commute to Kansas City in late November. I even managed a 69mpg tank in December.