cold weather radiator blocking

Has anyone tried blocking the air flow thru the radiator during the cold weather season to try to increase economy. I have a prius c and a big topic with them is "grill blocking". And I often see radiator covers on large tractor/trailers. I have a scangauge so no problem monitoring the temp. I'm wondering if it helps.

 

Try it, then come back and let us know the out come

 

note: 1st # is antifreeze %, 2nd number is water %

usually up here the only vehicles I see with a front cover is diesels since they cant seem the generate enough heat to warm the cabin during our cold snaps (-20F and lower temps).

if you have a regular gas engine, just do a 50/50 or 60/40 mix (more antifreeze than water) and you should be good.

70/30 ~ -72F
60/40 ~ -68F
50/50 ~ -34F
100/0 ~ 10F

edit : forgot to add, those are ambient temp numbers. wind chill doesn't affect a cold engine, only when its warmed up or running.

 

I've been thinking about whether this would help also. This was a very common thing to see up in Canada in years past, but can't say its as common to see now a days. I imagine that on the really cold winter days that this would should help on long highway drives, and should also help bring the engine to operating temp faster.

 

It will actually help your MPG if you live in very cold temps since the vehicle will come up to and remain at temp easier. Here is one brand and there are many others out there. NEVER run antifreeze above 60/40.
http://www.autoanything.com/winter-driving/Toyota/Tacoma/111A53020A53023A0A17A173A1.aspx
Here is a link about coolant mixtures.
http://www.challengers101.com/CoolantMix.html

 

Block the grill off and pull the air intake tube out so the motor pulls in warm air. this will definietly increase mpg's simply due to warmer air (read less fuel needed) and the motor coming up to and staying at a warmer temp.

 

I still havnt removed the chunk of cardboard I stuffed in there last year .Guess I will just leave it there now. Really helps at 50 below. Engine and transmission warm up much quicker