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As it is getting colder here in S. California. i was wondering if anyone is doing or thinking about a grill block. or even if it is a good thing or not. It is just taking alot longer for my FEH ice to cut off.
Any advice or suggestion short of a heater?

Thank,

I was contemplating that just this morning as we had our first sub-freezing morning commute today. It was 27 degrees and the old FEH was having a hard time warming up.

I'm going to first try the two-piece cardboard method, but I haven't decided how to fasten it yet. I would really like to find some black cardboard to match the exterior paint color, but I might just use a quick coat of spray paint instead. I have read that it is important to be able to easily remove the grill block if the fWT gets too high on the sgii and that it works best if it is close to the radiator, so those two things will be my guide to piecing this together.

I definitely think its a good thing, as long as you watch the fWT and keep it under 210 degrees.

I would be interested to know what you end up doing as well.
- Rob

I've done a near-complete grill upper grill block on my Yaris, and while I haven't noticed much of a temperature change (from 188 without to 198 with), my warm-up time and MPG has stayed rather constant even with the advent of the cold spells.

I've done a grill block on my '07 Escape. It blocks the upper part of the grill and extends down to behind the bumper while leaving the lower portion below the bumper to have air circulate. I did this last spring and have left it on. It sits up against the radiator. The temps have stayed below 190 deg. Living in Chicago I get all sorts of temp shifts. It looks so good that the Ford techs have not noticed it while doing oil changes last year.

If I could figure out how to post pics I'd post some.

Lone Ranger,

If you coudl get pics that would be great. also what and how did you make it from> and attach it??
Thanks

I keep the top portion of my radiator blocked year-round. My "system" is *very* low-tech, if not downright dorky :D - I "recycle" cardboard from our mailing room, cut it to fit in front of the grill, inside of the "U" of the bumper. Then I wrap it in clear packing tape, add my "Ask me about my Ford Escape Hybrid" sign (same as what's on my t-shirt ;)), cover *that* with the same tape, & tape it to the front of the grill. It holds up surprisingly well in rain & snow, & when it gets too bad, I just make another one :) I do take it off if I have to go to the dealership :(

This summer, I tried something different - instead of doing the whole cardboard thing, I just put the clear packing tape over the grill. It seemed to work as well in the warmer weather as the cardboard :)

I like the clear packing tape idea. So you are just putting that on the outside of the grill and tucking it into the edge? Did you find extra wide or just in multiple strips? Got any pictures to share?

I like the clear packing tape idea. So you are just putting that on the outside of the grill and tucking it into the edge?

Actually, I wasn't being that elegant about it - just cutting strips of tape a little longer than the grill, with maybe an inch or so on the bumper itself (I have the non-painted bumpers).

Did you find extra wide or just in multiple strips?

Multiple strips of 2" wide tape.

Got any pictures to share?

Unfortunately, I have the cardboard on now, but I think I can send a photo of that :)

Lone Ranger,

If you coudl get pics that would be great. also what and how did you make it from> and attach it??
Thanks

I'll take some pics and try and post them. If I can't post them send me your email and I'll attach them, I can do that. I am so not computer savvy when posting pics on the web.

lone ranger, Good looking picture! Thanks for sharing them:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0799.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0800.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0801.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0802.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0803.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0804.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0805.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0806.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0807.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0808.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0809.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0810.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0811.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0812.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0813.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0814.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0815.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0816.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0817.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0818.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0819.JPG

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/DSCN0820.JPG

Well, I finally got my grill block in place today. I am just using cardboard for now. I'll see how long it lasts before deciding if I need something more weather proof.

It only took me about 10 minutes, thanks to lone rangers pictures and description. I should have done it 2-3 weeks ago, but I was feeling intimidated by my lack of mechanical skills. :o Apparently none are really required for this job.

The only additional thing I did was to remove the hood release latch before trying to get the cardboard in front of the radiator. It was much easier to slide it in that way.

I have recently dropped from 39-40 mpg per tank to 35-36 mpg, so I'm hopefully that this will help get me back up a little.

lone ranger, thanks again for the pictures!
-Rob