Hi folks,

I found a pool product last summer called a "water noodle" that is a foam plastic cylinder the same size as the front bumper inlet. A quick slit on one side and it fits right over the center, horizontal grill of the NHW11 Prius:



This is the part:

http://www.pooltoy.com/waternoodle.html

It is easy to shape with a knife. Designed for swimming pools, it is water proof, soft, and probably UV resistant. For less than $5, it is an affordable solution.

GOOD LUCK!

Bob Wilson

 

It's a solution to what?

 

In cold weather:

• Improves ICE warm-up - the functional equivalent of a radiator block often seen on interstate trucks. In our Prius, the auto-shutdown does not start working until the ICE reaches 70C. As the air temperature drops below 50F, it becomes especially noticeable.
• Improves cabin heating - a comfort factor, the heat former lost heating air flowing through the engine compartment is now available for cabin heating. Using recirculate in the cabin further improves comfort provided the humidity is managed.
• Reduces air drag - colder air is dense and as it changes speed passing through the engine compartment, more power needed to maintain speed. This block causes the air to flow around the car to minimize the drag.
• Reduces transaxle drag - as the transaxle oil cools, it becomes more viscous and requires energy from the moving parts.

There are some pointers to more hybrid cold weather reports here:

http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_T_cold.html

I tried a different approach last winter using duct tape and foam:


But this approach is not easy to take off and put back on. In north Alabama, we have cold periods followed by warm periods. The "noodle' is easier to install and remove.

Bob Wilson