Just saw Ford's new commercial for the Fusion I think. It has little plates that close off the grill openings to make it more aerodynamic at higher speeds. WHY DIDNT I THINK OF THAT I should have patented the cardboard in front of the grill in winter I'd be a millionaire. Seriously how dumb to they think we are? MAYBE a .001 improvement in coefficient of friction for likely a $500 option?!??
Lame marketing
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actually, blocking off the grill can make a noticeable difference in how much drag the car creates.
just blocking off the small opening between the hood and the front fascia (a slot about an inch high and a little over a foot wide) on my 97 Cavalier with some garage door weahterstripping gained me about 1mpg, and blocking off the entire grille in the bumper gained me 2mpg.
i gained a couple of mpg on my 74 Monte by blocking off about 3/4 of the grille and all of the little grilles in the bumper, and i gained a couple of mpg on the 87 Celebrity i'm currently driving by blocking of 3/4 of the grille on that.
why have any more are going into the engine compartment and getting jammed up in the engine bay and under the car than is really necessary to keep the car cool?
just blocking off the small opening between the hood and the front fascia (a slot about an inch high and a little over a foot wide) on my 97 Cavalier with some garage door weahterstripping gained me about 1mpg, and blocking off the entire grille in the bumper gained me 2mpg.
i gained a couple of mpg on my 74 Monte by blocking off about 3/4 of the grille and all of the little grilles in the bumper, and i gained a couple of mpg on the 87 Celebrity i'm currently driving by blocking of 3/4 of the grille on that.
why have any more are going into the engine compartment and getting jammed up in the engine bay and under the car than is really necessary to keep the car cool?
Yep, I have plexiglass strips that bolt on to my grill and a weather strip to keep the air from getting between the radiator mount and the hood.
I do it to keep the front lift down at speed.
I'm sure it helps gas mileage. It does affect the A/C though..
Ron
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