ptjones Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 Just tested Shutters operation with update and they (FORD) raised the temp for opening from 190degrees to about 210degrees for slow speed and 215degrees for around 60+mph. Seems to be pretty much open or closed instead of steps. This explains why Grill Covers are running 10degrees hotter than before update. Also this would explain why this wouldn't make a difference with cold operation, because Shutters weren't opening anyway. Also HWY MPG's would improve a little keeping the ICE warmer and more efficient. There might be a slight Aero improvement too. During testing temps were 54degrees and I had great difficulty getting ICE temps up to 216degrees, it took about 12miles on FWY at 70-90MPH for my 14mile loop. With Grill Covers on it took just a few miles. I did some experimenting with my Grill Covers on my trip back from AZ with cutout Grill Cover and Full Grill Cover for ICE temps and MPG's. With outside temps between 38-66degrees the Full Grill Cover ran between 217-231degrees and Cutout Grill Cover 207-220degrees. To my surprise I didn't see any noticeable difference in MPG's, I was changing them back in forth about every 100miles. I'm wondering if FORD has changed the ICE operating temp with the Shutters not opening until 215degrees. The Operating ICE temp was 202-212degrees. I have some more LEXAN to make Grill Covers if anyone is interested. :) Paul robertiv, hybridbear, Jus-A-CMax and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbov Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YakMax Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 ptjones- a big thank you again for doing this research on grill shutters because I have been interested in this subject post updates. Like many people on this forum, I do not have the knowledge or know how to do this testing and that is why I so appreciate your efforts. Keep up the good work! robertiv 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hybridbear Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 I would still be very concerned at those temps about the temperature of the electric motors and other hybrid components. Those components should be kept as cool as possible. If you're blocking the grille to limit airflow to the ICE radiator you're also blocking airflow to the electronics radiator. When the ICE coolant is that warm you'll be getting a lot of heat in the engine compartment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted November 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 The top Grill let's air into ICE compartment . I have touched inverter coolant lines after trip and they were the same as outside temp.Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmnv Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 ptjones please contact me I'd like a set of your grill covers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homestead Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Hi PaulDoes Ford accept your grill covers as a legitimate update or would installing the covers invalidatetheir warranty?My mpg's have dropped about 6 mpg so far this winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted December 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Hi PaulDoes Ford accept your grill covers as a legitimate update or would installing the covers invalidatetheir warranty?My mpg's have dropped about 6 mpg so far this winter.The only way FORD can invalidate your warranty is they can prove that the Grill Covers caused a problem. I can't see a scenario were FORD isn't responsible ,because the ICE computer is designed to protect itself no matter what and the Inverter has it's own cooling system and it never gets hot. Remember Grill Covers don't block all the air from getting in thru the radiator, just most. I drove this Summer in AZ up long grades with AC on and 105+degrees and only got to 137degreesWT. The top white line on Smart temp Gauge is about 145degrees, so if FORD isn't worried about it then I don't thing we need too. IMO :) Grill Covers sure make a big difference now with low temps! Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 How are the grille covers attached? assume license plate bolts?Does the lastest Ford ECM update keep the grille shutters closed more?Thanks,Bob36-39 mpg @ 1600 miles,outside temps 20 degrees and lower....windy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Smith Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Quick thought.... Anyone done any research on hard wiring the shutters to an override switch... IE so the driver could just flip a switch, close the shutters. This would be nice in the winter time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmckinley Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Quick thought.... Anyone done any research on hard wiring the shutters to an override switch... IE so the driver could just flip a switch, close the shutters. This would be nice in the winter time. That would be a great idea. Also, finding a way to force full electric as long as the battery lasts. Grocery store is only a mile away, but I can't make it there without the engine coming on. I think the later model Prius' have a full electric switch as does the C Max Energi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 How are the grille covers attached? assume license plate bolts?Does the lastest Ford ECM update keep the grille shutters closed more?Thanks,Bob36-39 mpg @ 1600 miles,outside temps 20 degrees and lower....windyThe new update changed the opening temp to 210*F at less than 55mph and 215*F at around 70mph. Grill Covers are attached by VELCO tabs so they can be easily installed and removed. Quick thought.... Anyone done any research on hard wiring the shutters to an override switch... IE so the driver could just flip a switch, close the shutters. This would be nice in the winter time.The problem is that the Shutters don't seal very well, their operation is fine. Grill Covers fix the sealing problem which speeds up ICE heat up time saving gas plus improvement of aerodynamics of about 2mpg. :) Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Smith Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Paul... Just thinking outside the proverbial box... just thinking flip a switch, close the grill... i made a custom carbon fiber grille blocker for th elower grille on the 2010 prius. I took the grille out and used it to make a mold.. two zip ties held it on. I'll probably do the same thing for the C-max.maybe just do painted fiberglass, since I'm out of CF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted June 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 (edited) Paul... Just thinking outside the proverbial box... just thinking flip a switch, close the grill... i made a custom carbon fiber grille blocker for th elower grille on the 2010 prius. I took the grille out and used it to make a mold.. two zip ties held it on. I'll probably do the same thing for the C-max.maybe just do painted fiberglass, since I'm out of CFThe Velcro is a easy solution, The Shutter operation is safer than a switch and I don't it think can be improved on without getting it to seal better. The Grill Covers are a simple effective solution for the loss of heat andaero problems. BTW Shutters are closed all the time except when on FWY or A/C is on. :) Paul Edited June 3, 2014 by ptjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Smith Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 so in my normal drive to work in the fall winter. 20 miles withonly one small stretch over 50 mph the shutters are going to be closed 100% of the time.... and the grille blocker then is essentally just for aero and better sealing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted June 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 so in my normal drive to work in the fall winter. 20 miles withonly one small stretch over 50 mph the shutters are going to be closed 100% of the time.... and the grille blocker then is essentally just for aero and better sealing...Yes, and about a 3-4mpg improvement in mileage. I would recommend you get a ScanGauge to monitor water temps, I have one but you don't have too. :) Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Smith Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 Paul, I have torque lite, with a bluetooth obd2 reader which I kept from the wrecked prius... ptjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill-N Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 Is there a simple way to test shutter operation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hybridbear Posted June 8, 2014 Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 Is there a simple way to test shutter operation?Yes, sit in front of the car with a flashlight so you can see the grille shutters. Have an assistant turn on the car. The shutters will cycle to completely open & completely closed. Using a OBDII scanner & FORScan you can read the shutter position as a % open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus-A-CMax Posted June 8, 2014 Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) I have similar self built covers like ptjones. From my observations, with both covers on, the temps will trigger the over heat warning on long grade climbs, typically like what you find going from LA to Vegas or climbing Sherwin grade, north of Bishop. We are talking of at least 5+ miles. Or if you climb the 15 on the Cajone pass and it does not help if you climb at freeway speeds of 65 mph. I typically climb with 2 to 2.5 bars and the warning was coming on. May be my car is special but it goes off everytime... Also for city driving, at much lower speeds, the lower grill cover - imo - adds more resistence. I am finding better roll with the lower grill covers off. If you look at it, it's like a bucket that traps the air vs letting the air flow thru and under. Essentially, I am saying, keep the middle cover on but let the air flow for the bottom. I will climb the Cajone pass in a weeks time and see if just keeping the middle cover on will trigger an overheat warning. Last time, it was embarassing as I was going up SLOWER than the trucks on the right most lane and my temps were peaking, 2000 rpm and not more otherwise...you guess it. Be warned and as ptjones said, keep an eye on the temps. Last time I posted this, ptjones said he improved the design so those with his new plates may be better off. I have no intention to change mine, at least not yet... Jus my 2c. Edited June 8, 2014 by Jus-A-CMax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Is there a simple way to test shutter operation?I used a web cam connected to Laptop so I could watch shutter operations with temps and speed driving on the FWY using ScanGauge. As posted before shutters don't open until either A/C is turned on or temps reach 210*F below 55mph and 215*F above 55mph approx. In my testing shutters are either open or closed no percentage of opened. BTW the Over Heating Message happens above 247*F. Removing the bottom Grill Cover lowers WT about 15*F and it looks like there is no need to remove Center Grill Cover. I have a version of the lower Grill Cover that is flush and there by more aero that I'm playing with.now. :) Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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