Grill Cover Available Shortly

[ptjones]

I have come up with a simple installation for the Grill Covers now available. It will take about 5-10 minutes to install and only a minute to uninstall. No drilling into the car is required and almost anyone can install the covers with ease! The cover is attached with one screw with one bracket to grab the backside at the center of the grill. It is tightened flush at the center and ends of cover are secured with Velcro tabs on plastic blocks that are attached with double sided automotive foam tape. The lower Grill Cover is attached with three bracketed screws.

Upper Grill Cover is $75 plus S&H of $22

lower Grill Cover is $25 and S&H is free with shipped with upper Grill Cover.

 

I have a 14.4 mile test loop from my shop(1/2mi) down I85 to next exit and come back. I set ECO Cruise for 70mph with GPS . I monitor OT,WT,EV,Reg,HBSOC, BKS and MPG

Cover Off OT 60degrees Cover on OT 65degrees

WT start 94degrees, 7mi. 182degrees, 14mi 195degrees WT st. 64degrees, 7mi. 195degrees, 11mi. 230degrees

EV 3.8, Reg .7mi., BKS 100%, 42.4MPG EV 3.6mi., Reg .7mi., BKS 97%, 43.8MPG

HBSOC ST 30%, End 80% HBSOC 70%

 

As you can see FFH heated up a lot quicker and hotter with the Grill Covers on.

 

Paul

 

Edited November 26, 2013 by ptjones

[hybridbear]

Did you block both grilles to get that temp??

[ptjones]

Did you block both grilles to get that temp??

Yes that was with both Grill Covers and chin taped off.

 

Paul

Edited November 26, 2013 by ptjones

[hybridbear]

Yes that was with both Grill Covers and chin taped off. I'm working on posting Pics

 

Paul

That seems quite warm. I would be worried about the hybrid components. Especially since there is no known XGauge to monitor the hybrid coolant temp or the temp of MG1 or MG2 like you can with the Prius.

 

With grille blocking the ICE coolant doesn't get above about 90C in winter for me because I only block the upper large grille.

[ptjones]

That seems quite warm. I would be worried about the hybrid components. Especially since there is no known XGauge to monitor the hybrid coolant temp or the temp of MG1 or MG2 like you can with the Prius.

 

With grille blocking the ICE coolant doesn't get above about 90C in winter for me because I only block the upper large grille.

Actually it's not, the top mark on Smart Temp Gauge is about 242 to 245degrees and the highest I've seen with CMAX with both covers on in OT above 105degrees driving uphill on long grade with AC on is 237degrees. The Cooling system Boiling point is 286degrees. Inverter cooling system doesn't have temp sensor, Ford wasn't worried about it because it never gets hot. You can put your hand on the pipes coming out of Inverter radiator at the bottom right hand side of radiator and they are barely warm. Have you opened up hood on warm day and noticed it's not hot in there. This is because the ICE only runs 30-60% of the time. Over heating is never going to be a problem as long you have coolant in radiator and even then the ICE will just shut down. :)

 

Paul

[keithsm2]

other things are getting cooled besides the engine...like electronics and they may not have a temp sensor for you to check.. so be careful.. i think that is what hybridbear is trying to say.

[Waldo]

Over heating is never going to be a problem as long you have coolant in radiator and even then the ICE will just shut down. :)

 

Paul

 

So then why didn't Ford just block of the grill like this from the factory and get the CAFE benefit?

 

What about A/C performance? How is the condenser going to keep the A/C working in the summer?

[Da0ne]

 

So then why didn't Ford just block of the grill like this from the factory and get the CAFE benefit?

 

What about A/C performance? How is the condenser going to keep the A/C working in the summer?

well for me im only using this during the winter weather as i got good mpg all summer long

[jtbogus]

I too have experienced a pretty significant mileage loss due to having the ICE run to warm up and stay warm. Does anyone know how a Ford Dealer might react to these covers? Could they cancel or not honor the warranty?

 

JT

[Sleddog]

Just a comment for the mods. Site advertising without forum sponsorship? Interesting.

 

ptjones, sell 'em before they pull this thread! Good job. If I wasn't in Florida, I would be interested in a set.

[ptjones]

other things are getting cooled besides the engine...like electronics and they may not have a temp sensor for you to check.. so be careful.. i think that is what hybridbear is trying to say.

 

 

So then why didn't Ford just block of the grill like this from the factory and get the CAFE benefit?

 

What about A/C performance? How is the condenser going to keep the A/C working in the summer?

What electronics are in the ICE compartment? I said I was using AC with temps over 105degrees and Grill Covers don't block all the air. I have been using Grill Covers for a year now with no problems. I use a ScanGauge so I can monitor temps and other ICE functions. The truth is that Ford way over built the cooling system for CMAX and FFH and that is why they updated the software to leave Shutters closed to 210-215degrees instead of 190degrees with old software. An interesting note is that the CMAX actual opening for the radiator is less than 1/2 that of the FFH. On page 248 in your owners manual explains what happens if the engine begins to overheat. BTW I have 43K miles on my CMAX and a lot of testing around the states with wide range of temps and weather conditions. I would recommend if you are really interested you might get a ScanGauge then you can to see what is going with your ICE. :)

 

Paul

[ptjones]

I too have experienced a pretty significant mileage loss due to having the ICE run to warm up and stay warm. Does anyone know how a Ford Dealer might react to these covers? Could they cancel or not honor the warranty?

 

JT

Ford has to prove that if something happens that it was caused by your modification. ICE is designed to protect it's self. :)

 

Paul

[ptjones]

Just a comment for the mods. Site advertising without forum sponsorship? Interesting.

 

ptjones, sell 'em before they pull this thread! Good job. If I wasn't in Florida, I would be interested in a set.

For me it is just a hobby to help people who can't do it themselves. Actually you can make your own and gain 1.5-2MPG in the summer time from the aerodynamic improvement. I have told people all along that they can do this by using clear packaging tape and see the improvement on Smart Temperature Gauge in My View display. I was trying to help people frustrated with MPG's and no Cabin heat. It is interesting that there are many members on both forums that have made there own besides the several I have sold and no one has said they don't work. :)

 

Paul

[hybridbear]

 

What electronics are in the ICE compartment? I said I was using AC with temps over 105degrees and Grill Covers don't block all the air. I have been using Grill Covers for a year now with no problems. I use a ScanGauge so I can monitor temps and other ICE functions. The truth is that Ford way over built the cooling system for CMAX and FFH and that is why they updated the software to leave Shutters closed to 210-215degrees instead of 190degrees with old software. An interesting note is that the CMAX actual opening for the radiator is less than 1/2 that of the FFH. On page 248 in your owners manual explains what happens if the engine begins to overheat. BTW I have 43K miles on my CMAX and a lot of testing around the states with wide range of temps and weather conditions. I would recommend if you are really interested you might get a ScanGauge then you can to see what is going with your ICE. :)

 

Paul

The electric motors, the hybrid computers, the PCM, etc. Many computers run their fans 24/7 whenever they are on because of how damaging heat is to electronics. They like to stay cool just like humans. I can guarantee that you wouldn't enjoy being trapped in a room that is over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The computers under the hood don't enjoy it either. The hottest I've ever seen the internal components of my MacBook get is about 175 degrees after hours of watching movies. When it's hot like that the fans are running at their maximum RPM and are very loud. The electronic components don't have a fan to pull air across their radiator, so they depend on airflow through the grille as you drive. That is my concern with blocking the lower grille.

 

If the ScanGauge had an XGauge to view electronics coolant temp, MG1 temp, MG2 temp, etc then I wouldn't be concerned because you would be able to make sure those components stay cool.

[Waldo]

Everything under the hood is designed to a certain temperature limit. The EPAS steering gear, the engine mounts, the fuel lines, they all depend on airflow to keep the underhood temps down. A scangauge won't tell you anything about those things, but Ford tests them all very extensively. It would be very easy for Ford to deny warranty coverage on anything under the hood if they know you've been blocking the grill.

 

On a different point, given the $122 cost, and the result of 42.4 vs 43.8 MPG, it would take exactly 50,000 miles just to break even at $3.25/gallon gas. After another 40,000 miles you'll have saved $100. Is it really worth the risk of damaging very expensive components just to save a hundred bucks or so over the life of your car?

Edited November 27, 2013 by Waldo

[ptjones]

Everything under the hood is designed to a certain temperature limit. The EPAS steering gear, the engine mounts, the fuel lines, they all depend on airflow to keep the underhood temps down. A scangauge won't tell you anything about those things, but Ford tests them all very extensively. It would be very easy for Ford to deny warranty coverage on anything under the hood if they know you've been blocking the grill.

 

On a different point, given the $122 cost, and the result of 42.4 vs 43.8 MPG, it would take exactly 50,000 miles just to break even at $3.25/gallon gas. After another 40,000 miles you'll have saved $100. Is it really worth the risk of damaging very expensive components just to save a hundred bucks or so over the life of your car?

Turns out the engine compartment runs cooler with Grill Covers because less hot air flow through the radiator which is replaced by cool air from the outside through hood, head lights and etc.

Waldo you forgot about being able to use your heater without loosing MPG's :)

 

Paul

[Waldo]

Turns out the engine compartment runs cooler with Grill Covers because less hot air flow through the radiator which is replaced by cool air from the outside through hood, head lights and etc.

 

 

The law of conservation of energy would like to have a word with you...

[hybridbear]

Turns out the engine compartment runs cooler with Grill Covers because less hot air flow through the radiator which is replaced by cool air from the outside through hood, head lights and etc.

Paul - Like Waldo, I don't understand how this is physically possible. Please explain.

[acdii]

Use at your own risk. I gave my two cents regarding this in a previous thread, and why I wont sell a copy of my grill cover. I gave a set to HB, with his understanding that use at your own risk, but if you sell it to someone, you assume the liability of that risk.

 

As Sleddog mentioned, we dont have a subsection for sell or trade in this forum, but we do have sponsors who pay to advertise here. If you wish to sell, you can post it in the no hybrid forum where they do have a sell or trade section .

 

Remember, use at your own risk. Blocking off the grill has been a staple for generations of vehicles in cold weather, but then again, vehicles have never been as complex as our cars are.