HELLo from Canada (Honda Fit M/T)

[Andrei_ierdnA]

Thanks for the advices guys - greatly appreciated - this definitely gave me more food for thought.

Thanks brucepick for the suggestion to use non-residue duct tape, I didn't know it even existed. I've checked HomeDepot and they don't seem to carry it in Canada, and to get it from Amazon would come to about $20 CAD after shipping and all. Pretty pricey for some duct tape - but I'll keep the option in mind.

I already had 3 colours of regular duct tape (grey, red, blue) so I wanted to use something I already have, instead of spending $$.
But at the same time, I obviously want to avoid duct tape residue.

Maybe I will try to apply the duct tape I already have only to the plastic mesh parts for now, since it's very cold up here (around -10C feeling like -20C, so about 10F feeling like 0F with the wind-chill factor). And then as soon as spring comes, I will remove the tape and probably try one of the blocking approaches that Fat Charlie and PaleMelanesian did.

[Andrei_ierdnA]

I went to Home Depot today looking for supplies to block the lower grille opening, but only found pipe insulation. I couldn't find anything else to use, so I was happy to come across the pipe insulation @ only $3 for a 6ft tube.

I basically just cut the 6 ft tube in two 3 ft pieces and nudged them in between the horizontal grille bars and pushed both ends through the last left & right openings. The foam tube ends extend maybe 6" inside the bumper but do not touch the radiator. They seem pretty well FITted in place; test-drove 10 min at high speed and they didn't move at all. Didn't use any glue, tape or zip-ties since they appear to stay in place without.

Here's a front shot:



And a close-up:


Can you guys think of any potential concerns with my installation? Do I really need to glue, tape or zip-tie them?

There's a small area below the license plate where the foam allows some air, so approximately 90% of the lower grille opening is blocked.

[Fat Charlie]

It looks like compression will hold them in pretty well, but I'd use a zip tie in the center to hold it in place against the plastic vanes. One in the center or two offset to the sides wouldn't look bad or be difficult (or expensive) and would make the block a part of the vehicle instead of just something jammed into a hole.

Nice job- how are you liking the warmup time now?

Edit: maybe "weaving" it into place by passing it behind one of the vanes would work. It'd probably be way more work and look less smooth than a zip tie, though.

[PaleMelanesian]

Hey, that looks like it'll work. I expect they'll only last one season but for that price, who cares? Easy to install and remove if needed, all or half.

I had a highway trip last week and had to remove mine to avoid overheating. That's something any block design needs to consider.

[Andrei_ierdnA]

Thanks guys.
I can add a zip-tie in the middle (just for extra piece of mind). I like the analogy of having the tubes part of the bumper and not just something jammed in a hole.

I can't comment on the warm-up time, as I'm not yet using my SGII and Honda cheaped out on a coolant temp guage. I'm expecting below freezing weather all the way into April so I'm not yet worried about high engine/coolant temperatures.

I've filled up my tank right after the grille block and so far I've noticed a decent increase in mpg. My avg was around 35mpg before and after the block it's been 40mpg, but I've only had it since yesterday and only made 2 short trips (10 min and 15 min, so time will tell.

Why do you think the foam tubes will only last one season?
Will the foam disintegrate from weather elements (UV rays, temperature, road-salt and grime)?

And another question for all the Honda Fit (2nd gen) owners:
Would blocking the upper grille be worth-while for mpg increase during winter, or would it cause heating issues to other components?
* The upper grille has a "honeycomb" type plastic grille insert with approx half of the holes filled-in and only half are open. The hood has a plastic duct that seems to take the air from the upper grille and directs it to the right-side at the back of the engine-bay. It appears to cool the battery, brake and clutch fluid containers and the engine-fuse-box (or some "black-box").

[Fat Charlie]

I never thought the upper grille had enough of an opening to be worth the effort of blocking it. But during the winter, I don't think blocking it would raise temps too high (as long as you're watching it).

[PaleMelanesian]

I've noticed that old pipe insulation, even under a house, gets brittle and stiff with age. Out in the elements I expect that will accelerate. I don't know, so you can find out for us.

[Andrei_ierdnA]

Something a bit weird has happened after the lower grille block I did 3 weeks ago.

The car's trip computer fuel display was showing me some pretty good results. The first tank showed 6.2 L/100km (38 mpg) in about 60/40 city/hwy driving, but I couldn't confirm it since my step dad took my car for a spin and filled the tank. I didn't want to ask him for the receipt to calculate my actual fuel mileage, but he's a believer of premium gas always and in all cars so I know he put premium inside - about 3/4 of the tank, the other 1/4 being regular. Today I filled up again after driving almost the same 60/40 city/hwy and the car's computer said 6.4 L/100 km (about 36 mpg) but when I calculated the actual consumption based on distance and volume it came to a shocking 8.2 L/100 km (28.7 mpg) - worst mileage since I got the car.
I know there's nothing scientific about any of the above numbers, and there's variability at the pump, but I always fill up at the same station and same pump for consistency and haven't seen that big of the difference between the Honda trip computer and the actual calculated fuel consumption.

Could it be that Honda Fit doesn't like premium gas?

[MetroMPG]

My guess is your step dad didn't completely top off the tank. Nice of him to help out, but that's going to mess with your numbers.

I guess the best thing to do faced with the 'problem' of someone putting fuel in is to immediately make sure it's topped right up and start fresh.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by Andrei_ierdnA

Could it be that Honda Fit doesn't like premium gas?

It just doesn't like bad record keeping.