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

[ptjones]

It only takes 5-10 min. to install and 5 min. to remove . Go to post #85 to see pic. of parts before installation. :) You could PM me for more info.

 

Paul

[Sky14FFH]

Wow am I late the party. So you've been making these? How much do you sell them for or do you offer plans to make it ourselves? Thanks. This thread is looonng though but it looks worth the read. I've considered an oil pan heater for my other car but never got it.

Edited December 18, 2017 by Sky14FFH

[ptjones]

The last ones I made were a couple of years ago and they were my templates. The way I made them was to use 3 to 5 mil clear sheet plastic taped over the gills and then used felt maker to make an outline on the plastic. I used .04" thick LEXAN (could use thicker but harder to bend) on top of sheet plastic and used felt marker to trace outline on LEXAN. Used band saw to cut out LEXAN and then belt sander to smooth out and hand fit the edges. The screws are 10-24 x 2" and I put 2 nuts on the end locked together so the L bracket doesn't come off with loosening. The plastic stand off blocks are 5/8" x1" x 1.7" with 3M automotive double sticky back tape on one end and VELCRO on other. L brackets are L aluminum extrusions 1" on a side cut down to .7" and .4" by .4" wide. I think instructions cover it all. Oil pan heaters are easy to install. :)

Paul

[Sky14FFH]

I recently talked to the owner of a 2018 C-Max. Although the grill on the 2018 appears as large as older models it now only has small slits letting very little air through. I think they realized hybrid configurations don't require much cooling. Not sure why they put such massive grills on them nor why they weren't properly tested by 2013. The company is based in frigid Detroit, not sure why they do not seem to account for the cold nor salt.

Edited January 14, 2019 by Sky14FFH