Full grill block for 20 minutes drive?

[Donut]

The tire pressure appears to be the culprit for the reduced MPG. Thx for the hint! Neglect from my side and lower temperatures have reduced the pressure to ~31 psi.

I bought a tire pressure gauge and now regularly top off the tires, and voila, the MPG are back to my usual values.

[MetroMPG]

Thanks for the update.

[Donut]

The low temperatures made me go for a full grill block after all. I've stuffed pipe insulation into the grill slots (will add a photo later).

With this installed, I am back at 40+ MPG for my 6 miles commute, which was otherwise really difficult to achieve (despite proper tire pressure). The engine warmup light goes off only around half-way to work.

I have now also set my winter fuel economy goal to 40 MPG. I might have to employ some of fifteenwindow's warm air intake mods to keep up with that goal in inclined weather.

[Daox]

Good to hear that its working out for you. Can we get that picture?

[Daox]

*poke for picture*

[M-88]

Pipe foam is great!

I installed some on my Focus for its upper grille block. Definitely helps!

[uheym]

Sad that the thread ended up without a picture of the foam block..

[fifteenwindow]

Here is one of mine.

[uheym]

How many degrees is it, when it's cold there where your lives?
It's about 37-53 Fahrenheit at daytime in Denmark, and sometimes it's freezing in the low degress Fahrenheit minus 23-14..

When the engine is warm (Driving), my scangauge2, is showing Fahrenheit 195-199, right now (December)..

[fifteenwindow]

Here in Wisconsin, USA, the temperatures are all over the place. It can be over 40 F or -10 F. I don't think there is one grill block that is perfect for all winter situations. With my grill blocked, I pay attention to the coolant temperatures using a scanguage II. If my coolant temps stay around 190 F, which is where my thermostat opens, I know I can add more blocking. If it gets to 220 F, when the radiator fan kicks on, I take some blocking out.