Ice Grille Shutter

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by VelvetFoot, Jan 29, 2026 at 6:12 PM.

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  1. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    For me it's all about whether the stupid auto $hutter mechanism is damaged in the meanwhile.
     
    #21 VelvetFoot, Jan 30, 2026 at 11:28 AM
  2. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    You sticking it to me? :)

    edit: Plus, this chunk is huge.
     
    #22 VelvetFoot, Jan 30, 2026 at 11:29 AM
  3. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    Also, I had been hearing a clicking sound up front when I first started the car.
    I didn't know what it was.
    Not sure if I still do.
    Perhaps that was the shutter trying to do its thing.
    Maybe it gave up, hopefully, or the thing is so totally frozen it doesn't make noise anymore.
    I'll try to listen for it.
    I might try the self service car wash if it's open-it's 1°F now.
    I wonder which setting gives you the hottest water, I haven't been to one in a while.
     
    #23 VelvetFoot, Jan 30, 2026 at 11:41 AM
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    IIRC with fourth gen's active shutters, below a certain ambient temperature they would open open partway, and remain thus.
     
    #24 Mendel Leisk, Jan 30, 2026 at 12:07 PM
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  5. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    You can just get a hose and keep blasting it with water, until it all melts. Place the car into maintenance mode; so everything warms up and you don't get ice forming where they shouldn't. A warm car should prevent that, since I'm pretty sure that was part of the torture test they put the car through, freezing rain. Just avoid using the car's front end as a snow plow in the future.
     
    #25 BiomedO1, Jan 30, 2026 at 3:08 PM
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  6. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    Got it sorted.

    @Tande was spot on. The self service wand at the car wash worked great (even at 10°F).

    The louvers are wide open now when the car is off, picture below.

    As I was leaving for the car wash, I remembered that I had indeed hit the snow pile at the edge of the driveway when leaving a few days ago, and it was on the driver's side. Car washes in these cold temperatures added ice to the snow, creating a huge chunk.

    I think it's supposed to cycle upon startup, but I'm not sure. I might try that 3 button remote start thing while looking at the louvers.

    Anyway, all's well that ends well. Hopefully the shutter's lifespan wasn't lessened.

    upload_2026-1-30_15-18-36.png
     
    #26 VelvetFoot, Jan 30, 2026 at 3:18 PM
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  7. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    (y)(y) .....FWIW ..... -15F here last night
     
    #27 Tande, Jan 30, 2026 at 5:55 PM
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  8. KMO

    KMO Senior Member

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    According to a 2017 Toyota promotional video, they do that below 5°C.

    5G seems to attempt to use them at lower temperatures - certainly below freezing.

    You do get some clicking noises if they're frozen, but it gives up after a few seconds - it seems the mechanics and algorithm have been adjusted so it isn't paranoid about dealing with frozen shutters.
     
    #28 KMO, Jan 31, 2026 at 5:00 AM
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