2010 Prius Grill Blocking strategy

[ken1784]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

so the inverter cooling is a completely separate system?

Yes, it is!
The inverter coolant path is "cooler is better".
There is no thermostat, and the electric pump is always ON to keep trying the coolant as cool as possible.
OTOH, the engine coolant target temperature is 88C(190F).

Ken@Japan

[DaveinOlyWA]

Originally Posted by ken1784

Yes, it is!
The inverter coolant path is "cooler is better".
There is no thermostat, and the electric pump is always ON to keep trying the coolant as cool as possible.
OTOH, the engine coolant target temperature is 88C(190F).

Ken@Japan

TYFI, Ken. sorry for Segway, but i have done 100% grill block on SPM. now granted, not air tight, but have seen many Water temps in upper 200's, 206 is common. have done this for years. soo

does inverter coolant have a maintenance cycle?
will its effectiveness be reduced if its been "hot" several times?
should i get it checked for any possible negative long term effects?

[David Beale]

Inverter coolant is the same stuff as engine coolant. It doesn't suffer from heating any more than engine coolant. It's the electronics that can suffer. The longer you run them hot the shorter will be their life expectancy. I doubt anyone would notice however. I suspect they will outlast the "other wear parts" 3 to 4 times.

[el723]

Originally Posted by john1701a

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.
.

Is that the 1/2 inch foam in your photos? Thanks.

[MSantos]

And just in case anyone wants to take it to the next level:

Winterizing your Hybrid Vehicle blocking tables and other tips are included

Cheers;

MSantos

[spiderman]

Originally Posted by el723

Is that the 1/2 inch foam in your photos? Thanks.

Yes as noted on page 2 of this thread.

[deltron3030]

Its my understanding that the 2010 Prius needs very little air through the engine (in terms of intake), and that a warmer engine is a more efficient one. That said, is there any YEAR ROUND grill blocking that can be done on a car in southern california? Perhaps just some of the bottom and leaving the top untouched?

My main goal would be a year round solution that would reduce the drag forces of the air entering the engine area, and to a lesser extent (since i live in sunny LA), provide a means to warm up the engine a little faster than it does now.

If 100% blockage equates to a down-parka for one's engine, I'm looking for a light cardigan.

[DetPrius]

My 2010 Prius is my first one and I really appreciate all the information shared on this site. I'm in SE Michigan and don't have a ScanGuage (yet) and am wondering how much grill block I can/should do at what temps, or should I not risk it w/out a SG. Any suggestions? Daytime highs are now in the 40s and 50s but it won't be long and they will be in the 30s.

Also, if you block your grill and have to go to the dealership (thinking oil changes) do you remove the block before you go? I can see them advising of problems and voided warranties blocking the grill.

[MSantos]

My dealers never had a problem with the grille blocking (Toyota or Honda). Some have asked but I always pointed them toward the scangauge and the coolant temp reading in it. After a little chat they would realize that I am keenly aware of the safe operating temp ranges and their concerns would vanish soon after.

Frankly, If I was them and I had a customer coming in with a fully blocked grille and no means to keep it under watch and safe.... I too would be concerned. Its just common sense.

Cheers;

MSantos

[Philosophe]

Originally Posted by MSantos

Frankly, If I was them and I had a customer coming in with a fully blocked grille and no means to keep it under watch and safe.... I too would be concerned. Its just common sense.

Should we rely on temperature tables to know how much grille blocking is safe? Could that be risky without a ScanGauge to monitor the temp?

As I don't have one, I plan to block the bottom and keep the top opened all winter (gets to -20°C here).