2010 Prius Grill Blocking strategy

[usbseawolf2000]

Originally Posted by MikeDS

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the advantage of blocking the grill?

I am sure others have mentioned the heat loss.

Aerodynamic: About a third of the aero drag is due to the air flowing through the engine compartment and creating turbulence (according to SAE paper by Volvo engineer).

[john1701a]

I blocked 3 slots the other night, mostly since I only had enough foam available for that. It was a good start. But then snow was forecasted! So, I finished by blocking that last slot on the lower-grille. Now, all 4 are blocked. And sure enough, it did indeed snow.

That meant photos a whole lot sooner than expected...

.



Total blocking down below and open on top is the approach I'm sticking with this year. It seems like a good plan and looks surprisingly nice. Larger photos are available on my album.
.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by FireEngineer

Do the full 100% lower. Recently at 36F here on the highway the engine temp was about 4F lower than with no block in the summer. No harm will come to you or your Prius. Honest.

Wayne

I'll see. I have the EBH cord neatly tied to the 3rd grille bar (3rd from the top) so I'll have to split the foam into two for the 3rd row.

[gazz]

Very interesting

[DaveinOlyWA]

Originally Posted by john1701a

I blocked 3 slots the other night, mostly since I only had enough foam available for that. It was a good start. But then snow was forecasted! So, I finished by blocking that last slot on the lower-grille. Now, all 4 are blocked. And sure enough, it did indeed snow.

That meant photos a whole lot sooner than expected...

.



Total blocking down below and open on top is the approach I'm sticking with this year. It seems like a good plan and looks surprisingly nice. Larger photos are available on my album.
.

r u not blocking the top grill?

i see the recommendation for no more than 50% blocking of the top, but i block 100 % of both in temps below 60º and have done so for years. am i realistically looking at problems down the line?

[Rhino]

I live in the Washington DC area. I suppose I am too far south to benefit from blocked grills. Any advice would be appreciated. What do you think?

[spiderman]

Originally Posted by Rhino

I live in the Washington DC area. I suppose I am too far south to benefit from blocked grills. Any advice would be appreciated. What do you think?

I bet you could benefit. I put the blocking in and noticed an increase of perhaps .3 - .5 mpg increase. Not fully quantified mind you but I was having problems reaching 53 mpg the last couple of weeks and as soon as I put the blocking in, I reached it no problem. I guess it can cut down on the air drag into the engine comparment. From other suggestions here, I would suspect you would only want to block the lower grill though.
I am hoping in the near future a thirdparty vendor like Lund will create a nice looking grill block I can run all year.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

r u not blocking the top grill?

i see the recommendation for no more than 50% blocking of the top, but i block 100 % of both in temps below 60º and have done so for years. am i realistically looking at problems down the line?

Ken said that the inverter radiator is now located behind the top grille so that's why he recommends 50% maximum blocking.

[DaveinOlyWA]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Ken said that the inverter radiator is now located behind the top grille so that's why he recommends 50% maximum blocking.

well its clear that the radiator is separated into upper and lower sections im guessing. cant really see all the feeds to it. so the inverter cooling is a completely separate system?

wow, not being able to monitor that temp is a bummer. well, i took a closer look at the block on top and i am guessing i am only blocking about 90~% or so.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

well its clear that the radiator is separated into upper and lower sections im guessing. cant really see all the feeds to it. so the inverter cooling is a completely separate system?

wow, not being able to monitor that temp is a bummer. well, i took a closer look at the block on top and i am guessing i am only blocking about 90~% or so.

Ask Ken??