Showing off my new grille block
 

It's not the prettiest thing, but since the temperature's dropped 15F during the day today, and it's supposed to snow tonight through tuesday, I figured I'd rig up additional grille blockage.

The pieces:
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9...4089jo1.th.jpghttp://img296.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif

Prep:
http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/5...4091jx0.th.jpghttp://img391.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif

Finished:
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5...4092rq8.th.jpghttp://img253.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif

Close-up:
http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/1858/1004093fv5.th.jpghttp://img60.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif

It's straightforward enough-- Coroplast, spraypainted, and held in with zip ties. I left a gap in the center as a margin of safety, though I do have a little extra Coroplast left to fill it in if I'm feeling brave. I have yet to gauge how well it works, since the xB has temperature-idiot-lights (blue for cool, none for operating temp, and red for overheating). If the blue light goes off sooner than usual, and the red light doesn't come on, it will be judged a success.

Hopefully, this will slightly help to mitigate the 3-4 mpg I'm losing due to winter gas and cold weather.

Cool. Though isn't the top grille functional?

No, the top grille isn't functional at all. The radiator is low and wide, and only served by the two lowest grilles. The top one is actually a solid piece of plastic. I eventually want to smooth that out, because it would look good, but it's essentially pre-blocked.

Interesting. Did not know that. Cool

Looks good. You can use cardboard behind the coroplast to space it out to be flush with your bumper.

Yeah, it would look a lot better if it was flush. The bottom one is the way it is, because it's just a friction-fit (and I've had that on since July). I'm just too lazy to fasten it another way. I've been brainstorming ways to build a plug for that opening that would look a little neater, but it may have to wait until spring.

The top block isn't meant to be permanent at this point. So far, it seems to help the car warm up a little bit sooner, which is good. Long term results, of course, will be forthcoming.