Grille block 2011 Fiesta

[user removed]

I've noticed this winter my mileage drops off considerably when it gets below 35 degrees. Last time on the Interstate it was 43.5 MPG compared to summertime at 50 or above.
This winter has been especially cold compared to normal for eastern Virginia. I made a temporary grille block out of cardboard that seemed to work fairly well. It got me back to about halfway to my summertime mileage. Now it has really got cold here with temps in the low teens to high single digits. I stopped by Home Depot and grabbed 3 of the 1/2 inch foam pipe insulators for 97 cents each. Cut to length and slit to slide over the vertical braces on my lower grille. I'll leave the upper open for the time being.
No need to chastize me for not having to endure 40 below like some here.

Some photos

regards
Mech

[user removed]

12 degrees outside right now. In the garage it's 48.

regards
Mech

[user removed]

Another nice thing is they are easily removeable and I can store them around the spare tire when not needed. With 3 of them I can remove one or all 3 to adjust the amount of air flow restriction. Install in about two minutes for all 3.

regards
Mech

[nemo]

Looks good. Even better is the bump in MPG.

[user removed]

I didn't drive my usual route today, wifes birthday, met my parents for lunch. Even with more stops and short hauls, ice on the roads, and 20 degrees outside I still managed to average 44.5MPG. I took it out on route 143 and reset the MPG meter at my 55-40 P&G and it hit 56 MPG. I would say it gets me back about a third of the summer mileage. We'll see on the next fill. The truck and bike haven't seen much travel this month, cold, lousy weather. I think I rode a bike, in Jan 2012, more than I drove all 3 vehicles combined in Jan 2014. I love a mod when it is cheap, looks good, and is easily reversible and easily adjustable.

The outside temp sensor is located behind the front bumper cover. It read 47 degrees this morning when I first started the car, about 17 outside. With the air flow restricted it reads about 10-15 degrees higher than ambient temp. It was pretty close to ambient before.

Never heard the cooling fan.

regards
Mech

[user removed]

My average MPG (indicated) has been 47.1 mostly higher speed highway average speed 43 MPH. Grille block working perfectly, only top opening still open, seems to be plenty of air. I have not heard the fan running, good solid 2 MPG gain,fill to fill.

regards
Mech