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100% lower grille block question

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by TNGator, Jan 28, 2013.

  1. TNGator

    TNGator Junior Member

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    The high temp tomorrow will be at or very near 70 F. I have my lower grille blocked 100% and no scanguage to monitor engine temps. I will be driving about 30 miles in the warmer temps tomorrow. Will I be okay or should I unblock the lower grille? The high temps should only last one day then back to highs in the 30's. I don't want to mess with it, but I really don't want to damage the engine. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 TNGator, Jan 28, 2013
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If it is easy driving you should be fine. High rpm driving or lots of heavy traffic is not go though. I wouldn't recommend it if the temps were going to stay above 60F.
     
    #2 F8L, Jan 28, 2013
  3. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    I took one of the three grill blocks off and temp at the highetst was 180.today was 73 deg
     
    #3 tankyuong, Jan 28, 2013
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Trip length and time running is important. It would be very helpful to include those numbers. A short duration trip in 70F temps is no big deal but an hour long commute could be a problem. That is when MG temps really start to climb!
     
    #4 F8L, Jan 29, 2013
  5. Tim Bender

    Tim Bender Member

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    i unblock 50% when temps will rise above 60f and I'm not monitoring temps.

    That said, last fall when temps were around 75-80f I full blocked the lower and monitored temps on a 30 minute rush hour commute. AC Max with heavy foot the temps did rise enough to trigger the electric cooling fan to run, but it did not approach the accepted overheat level.

    Play it safe and remove some blocking. THEN on the day you do forget, you probably don't have much to worry about if conditions aren't too extreme

    ThunderBolt ? 2
     
    #5 Tim Bender, Jan 29, 2013
  6. TNGator

    TNGator Junior Member

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    Thanks guys. Just got in and the car did very well. 58.5 mpg for 30 miles. The warm temps really make a difference in mpg. Back to cold weather the rest of the week.
     
    #6 TNGator, Jan 29, 2013
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