Preparing for winter with a comprehensive strategy to improve MPGs including grille blocking & more

[ptjones]

I saw no noticeable difference with both covered, but then it has been so cold lately that even my Flex is having a hard time staying warm. I have both covered now, but the temps have stayed the same as when I just had the top covered.

When I was driving 2014FFH rental I saw about a 5*F which makes sense in that less air going into the ICE compartment the less cooling the ICE will get. I did some testing on the CMAX temps, the difference between having the top grill open and closed was 5*F and that air bypasses radiator so cooling is done by air flowing around ICE. I currently have the total front end carpet taped up so no air is getting in ICE compartment other than from the bottom of ICE compartment. Like you members to the north I'm still having problems getting to operating temps so I'm adding oil pan heater to bottom of oil pan. Last year when I did this it added about 10*F :)

 

Paul

[hybridbear]

Official Ford response from Ashley relating to the thermostat:

There is an operating range and will vary the temperature depending on conditions. But usually will range from about 80-100 Celsius (176-212 Fahrenheit). Parts specifications about the thermostat is not something we can provide.

[ptjones]

This is the Hotline Assistance Request I received from Ford on 12/12/2012 detailing the operating temperature and thermostat fully open temperature of 202 degrees F.

Paul

[hybridbear]

Ford Hotline Request 105959278.jpg

This is the Hotline Assistance Request I received from Ford on 12/12/2012 detailing the operating temperature and thermostat fully open temperature of 202 degrees F.

Paul

Interesting...Thanks Paul

[KLH]

I have new grille covers now (Thanks Paul!). They're great and easy to install.

 

Here's a good chuckle. When I went to clean the grille before installing the covers, I forgot that it was 10*F outside. I wondered why the grille was getting dirtier the more I sprayed Windex on it. The Windex was freezing and building up. D'Oh.

 

I'll have more to report after I drive with the covers on for a bit.

[milleron]

I have the upper grille foamed and blocked with Lexan, but as it's dropped to -6 in Ohio, I eked out only 25 mpg on my homeward freeway commute where I routinely get 42-45 in the summer. That was at 60 mph with the cabin temp at 65 -- can't run the car without the climate control on in this weather because of window fogging and icing.

I guess there's nothing else to do but pray for warmer weather.

[acdii]

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/8145-my-fusion-looks-scarier-than-ever/?p=73256

 

Sums up the cold weather.

[ptjones]

I have the upper grille foamed and blocked with Lexan, but as it's dropped to -6 in Ohio, I eked out only 25 mpg on my homeward freeway commute where I routinely get 42-45 in the summer. That was at 60 mph with the cabin temp at 65 -- can't run the car without the climate control on in this weather because of window fogging and icing.

I guess there's nothing else to do but pray for warmer weather.

I would still tape up bottom grills and add oil pan heater from NAPA, 150Watt/120V or Wolverine Model 9, 125Watt/120V. Another possibility would to put soft foam between oil pan and bottom ICE compartment cover to insulate it. :)

 

Paul

[KLH]

Does anyone know how to remove the front license plate so that I can install a lower grille cover? I'd obviously put the front plate back on at that point.

 

As it stands, the front license plate is covering about 50% of the lower grille..

[hybridbear]

Does anyone know how to remove the front license plate so that I can install a lower grille cover? I'd obviously put the front plate back on at that point.

 

As it stands, the front license plate is covering about 50% of the lower grille..

You can't remove the license plate. You have to just pull it forward and slip the plastic grille cover behind. You would need slots cut for where the plate frame lines up with the grille. Otherwise you can just use foam in the lower grille. I would post a pic but I don't have any good ones of what I mean.

Edited January 8, 2014 by hybridbear

[Eddie Sessum]

If its cold, the heater is on for me lol.

 

On another note tho I dont know if ive mentioned this before but the grill will not close itself unless you get upto speed. I think this is a mistake that the grill should stay closed untill we atleast get upto the temp where the heater can be on and the engine off. If not upto full operating temperature on days when the outside temp is below 50*.

[Texasota]

On another note tho I dont know if ive mentioned this before but the grill will not close itself unless you get upto speed. I think this is a mistake that the grill should stay closed untill we atleast get upto the temp where the heater can be on and the engine off. If not upto full operating temperature on days when the outside temp is below 50*.

 

I am not familiar with the grill shutters that automatically close at highway speed (I don't yet own a FFH). But Eddie's comment is interesting - when these shutters are closed do they have the same/equal blocking effect as the grill covers and blocking foam have that forum members are using?

[corncobs]

If its cold, the heater is on for me lol.

 

On another note tho I dont know if ive mentioned this before but the grill will not close itself unless you get upto speed. I think this is a mistake that the grill should stay closed untill we atleast get upto the temp where the heater can be on and the engine off. If not upto full operating temperature on days when the outside temp is below 50*.

Nothing a simple software update couldn't fix if Ford wants it!

 

That could be an interesting question for Ashley maybe she can bring some light to this topic.

 

Do the grill shutters only close at speed for aerodynamic reasons or did the PCM update change the behavior to improve cold weather driving as well?

[hybridbear]

 

I am not familiar with the grill shutters that automatically close at highway speed (I don't yet own a FFH). But Eddie's comment is interesting - when these shutters are closed do they have the same/equal blocking effect as the grill covers and blocking foam have that forum members are using?

Foam blocks way more than grille shutters. Grille shutters are like blinds on a window in your house. Light can still get through the slats. Air can still get through the shutters.

[acdii]

My lower grill is foam blocked, after messing with the first grill cover and those slots, I decided foam is a lot less of a hassle. BTW the SM saw the grill covers and foam and didn't say a word.

[ptjones]

I computer laptop videoed the shutter operation and the are open when you stop, but close anytime you are moving until you get to 210*F slow speeds and 215 *F at FWY speeds. :)

 

Paul

[plannersteve]

My 2012 FFH recently saw an approx. 5 mpg drop with recent cold weather here in Vancouver, WA. I decided to try grill blocking to see if I could improve my cold weather results. I've attached photos of how I did the blocking. Foam pipe insulation from Home Depot was used. I'm definitely seeing quicker times to EV mode from a cold start and getting better interior heating as well. Any ideas on how to monitor the ICE to determine when to take blocking out would be appreciated. For now I'll error on taking it off too soon. But as you can see, it is easy to take off and put back on.

[vangonebuy]

Just installed the foam insulation on my ride, Bought 1/2 " pipe insul at Lowes.

Slightly different install. I cut the foam down the middle. Used cut pieces in the grill tucking in the ends.

Left off the top row. Wanted to read more temp. before committing on the temp increase is OK.

If all goes well, I finish it this week.

 

This was a really good idea.

Kudo's to the brains of this operation.

 

 

Was north in Maine for New Years with the minivan. -15 to -22 was recorded each morning.

Got a Mr Coffee box smiling through the grille. It helped the warmups.

[ptek]

I installed the foam pipe insulation today, too. Bought two 6 foot pieces at Ace Hardware for $1.99 each. That is enough to do the upper grille. The upper 4 slots got full length pieces of foam, 2 from each piece of insulation. There was about 16 to 18 inches of each piece left over, so the bottom slot is filled with the 2 left over pieces.

 

I used a sharp kitchen knife to notch the back side to fit around the supports and taper the ends, since the grille slots narrow some at each end. The foam fits in pretty tight. The dark gray blends in well.

 

Pete

 

[milleron]

I actually found that notching the foam isn't necessary. Push it in firmly, and it just molds itself arond the vertical members of the grill. Of course, it doesn't hurt to notch it, but it's easier and quicker to just let it notch itself, so to speak.

[acdii]

My 2012 FFH recently saw an approx. 5 mpg drop with recent cold weather here in Vancouver, WA. I decided to try grill blocking to see if I could improve my cold weather results. I've attached photos of how I did the blocking. Foam pipe insulation from Home Depot was used. I'm definitely seeing quicker times to EV mode from a cold start and getting better interior heating as well. Any ideas on how to monitor the ICE to determine when to take blocking out would be appreciated. For now I'll error on taking it off too soon. But as you can see, it is easy to take off and put back on.

You can cover it completely as long as the temps are below 50*, Take them out when it gets warmer to be safe. If you do a lot of 45+ MPH driving your on ICE all the time, unlike the 13+ models, so cooling is more important for your car than ours. You can get a scan gauge if you want to monitor it, or just keep an eye on the dash gauge. you should be fine when under 50*. I never blocked mine, didn't feel a need to, so cant comment on temp readings. It probably would have helped it get better MPG in the winter had I done so.

[hybridbear]

I installed the foam pipe insulation today, too. Bought two 6 foot pieces at Ace Hardware for $1.99 each. That is enough to do the upper grille. The upper 4 slots got full length pieces of foam, 2 from each piece of insulation. There was about 16 to 18 inches of each piece left over, so the bottom slot is filled with the 2 left over pieces.

 

I used a sharp kitchen knife to notch the back side to fit around the supports and taper the ends, since the grille slots narrow some at each end. The foam fits in pretty tight. The dark gray blends in well.

 

Pete

Great idea to taper the ends...I need to do that because it doesn't fit super well on the ends.

[Da0ne]

well i went on my honeymoon last week drove out of NY in 7* weather to Daytona Beach, FL with Ptjones grille cover, the heat on auto temp at 75*, going 75 mph most of the time i got an avg of 38 mpg, 2 days later left Daytona Beach to Miami going 75 mph i avg 41 mpg,

 

on my trip back from Miami to Myrtle Beach, SC that came out to 41 mpg going 75 mph and the same on the trip from Myrtle Beach to NYC

 

overall i was happy with the mpg as i came out to the same mpg i did going to FL back in May with no grille covers and going the posted speed limit 55 - 70 mph

 

i might go to home depot to get the foam insulation to give that a shot as it doesnt show as much as the grille cover and IMHO looks alot cleaner

 

but want to compare as i may have to go to Charlotte NC next friday so it would be a good comparison

[hybridbear]

I asked Ashley if the EBH heats both the coolant and oil or just the coolant. Previously I remembered reading something vague about the Ford EBHs in the hybrids. Below is her official response:

"The engine block heater does not directly heat the engine oil. It only heats the coolant which will cause the engine block to be warmer and will help make the oil warm up quicker once the engine is running."

[acdii]

That is pretty much how they all work. The heater is in the water jacket, not the oil pan. The one on my F350 was the same. It did work very well! One day I made the mistake of parking it outside on a very cold night, next morning, no starty. Even with good GP, would not start. So plugged it in, threw the charger on the batteries, waited four hours, started right up and the ambient temp was no warmer than it was four hours prior. The goal is to warm the cylinders so it can ignite the fuel easier. Uses less fuel that way too.