Is cardboard in front of the radiator necessary today? - experiment on Lada

Our experiment

The editorial Largus is equipped with a Multitronics C-590 trip computer, which, among other things, allows you to monitor the temperature of the engine coolant with an accuracy of one degree. The information content of a standard device cannot be compared - it shows two tiles on the display if the engine is not fully warmed up, and four at temperatures up to 100°C.

So, during the week, when the temperature in the capital hovered around zero, I collected information about the engine temperature. What happened?

The on-board computer, receiving signals from the “brains” of the engine through the OBD-2 diagnostic connector, displays them on the screen.

The on-board computer, receiving signals from the “brains” of the engine through the OBD-2 diagnostic connector, displays them on the screen.

Thermal protection: how to cover a car's radiator for the winter and photos of completed projects

As already mentioned, a certain part of car owners do not bother at all and place ordinary cardboard cut to a certain size in front of the radiator honeycombs. The method is simple and requires virtually no investment - just securely fasten the tuning part. But, such a picture is possible due to a banal ignorance of other options, so it makes sense to consider them in more detail.

Factory kits

Car owners who know the answer to the question of whether it is possible to close the car’s cooling radiator in winter are advised to look at auto parts stores. Here you can find ready-made kits for preparing a car for cold weather , consisting of engine insulation and radiator honeycombs. The undoubted advantage of this option is expressed in the following points:

1. There is no need to look for material for products.
2. There is no need to make a pattern or adjust the insulation.
3. Kits are produced for a specific model.

The cost of the kits starts from 3,000 rubles. It includes insulation for the engine and radiator. In cases where the engine does not need to be insulated, you can only purchase a radiator damper. Their cost is in the range of 500-700 rubles, although the price for some branded samples (for example, Tammers) reaches 3,500 rubles. Plastic shields are available on the lower part of the bumper. Most inexpensive kits have low thermal insulation characteristics, so some motorists try to make effective analogues on their own. And, I must admit, they are doing this with some success.

Handicrafts

It has already been mentioned that the most basic way to protect a radiator from cold wind currents is to place a simple cardboard. But real aesthetes, of course, will be outraged by such a proposal. Some will start looking for factory products, and those who have their hands in the right place will make an exclusive version for themselves. Experienced car enthusiasts share their experience and how to close the radiator of their car for the winter in the photo, which shows implementation methods. Everyone determines the complexity of execution for themselves:

• The simplest solution is implemented using foil-clad polypropylene, which is cut to the shape of the radiator grille and secured with cable clamps. It is undesirable to use felt material, as it absorbs fuels and lubricants and is prone to ignition.
• A more complex method involves the additional production of a cover made of dermantine or artificial leather. The difficulty of implementation is compensated by the high decorative component, which can become the highlight of the car’s decor.

Radiator grilles with horizontal fins are well closed using pipe insulation. Most often, just two two-meter tubes with a diameter of 34 and 52 mm are enough. Such a kit will cost only 150-200 rubles.

The insulation must be cut into pieces of a certain length and transverse slots made in the places where the reinforcing bars of the grid are located. The structure is inserted into the spacer between the ribs and, if necessary, secured with clamps. The use of this type of thermal insulation is justified at temperatures below -15°C, since such tubes have an impressive thickness, which can lead to overheating of the coolant.

Is it possible to overheat the engine?

There is an opinion that using cardboard can easily overheat the engine, for example, when driving on the highway. We checked. At the same zero temperature, when driving at a speed of 100 km/h, the electric fan does not turn on, the temperature of the liquid in the engine cooling system does not exceed 90°C. This is not surprising: after all, as is known, the low rotation speed of the Largus electric fan turns on when the coolant temperature exceeds 99°C, and turns off at 96°C. So it's a long way from overheating. If you skid for a long time in the snow, the temperature may creep up, but the electric fan will cope even in such conditions.

DIY insulation for the radiator grille

It is better to learn how to properly close the radiator for the winter from experienced drivers. There’s nothing complicated about it, but some extra advice won’t hurt. Be interested in what and how, preferably after mastering it, why it is needed and getting an answer to the question whether this method of insulation actually helps. Making a final decision is possible only if the needs of the owner and the guarantees of this method of thermal insulation coincide.

Restricting air access to the engine through the radiator grille in winter gives:

• Reducing the time it takes to fully warm up the engine during frequent short trips.
• Acceleration of coolant reaching operating temperature when warming up the power plant while driving.
• Preservation of heat in the engine compartment when driving on the highway.

Practical significance

Premium cars have long been equipped with a system of dampers that regulate the volume of air flowing over the engine. Ensuring that the power plant quickly reaches operating temperature and maintaining it within specifications helps preserve the factory life of internal combustion engine parts.

Natural thermal conditions in cold weather are only beneficial and here’s why:

• Reducing the warm-up time leads to a decrease in fuel consumption, since the ECU generates an over-rich mixture when it is cold.
• Reducing the proportion of air cooling at high speed allows the interior heater to operate at full capacity.

The help of insulation is especially noticeable at temperatures below -20°C: the computer displays suburban fuel consumption values ​​close to summer values, and the stove heats up noticeably even at idle. This fact is confirmed by both owners of carburetor cars and owners of injectors. However, you can only get by with an additional homemade car interior heater designed for 12 Volts.

The position of companies specializing in the production of insulating components is clear. Often, when asked whether it is necessary to close the radiator in winter, they put forward additional arguments in favor:

1. Fuel savings up to 25%.
2. Eases cold starts.
3. Increased battery life.

It is quite clear that the savings percentage is overestimated, and the closed radiator grill does not affect the morning start-up in any way - the engine managed to freeze overnight. There is also no gentle operation of the battery, since you still have to turn the crankshaft in thick oil.

How to insulate a car radiator for the winter is a rather multifaceted question; there are several different ways to carry out this work. At the same time, there are several myths circulating among drivers about this modification of the cooling system. Despite the fact that they are not true, these myths are quite tenacious and popular:

• Reducing fuel consumption by 20% when using special protective equipment. This myth is inspired by the advertising efforts of manufacturers of such insulation. In practice, of course, fuel consumption is slightly reduced due to faster warm-up. But the savings are much lower. But such kits are very expensive;
• Insulating the radiator makes it easier to start the engine in the morning. If your car has been parked for only a couple of hours, the insulation will retain some of the heat, and the engine will start faster and easier. Having stood in the cold all night, the engine will cool down even with very good insulation. Therefore, insulating the radiator will not give you any advantage when starting up.

Now that you have become familiar with the mythology of insulating the radiator and engine compartment, you can begin the actual work of protecting this part of the car from the cold.

Verdict

Insulating the radiator speeds up the engine's return to operating thermal conditions and helps maintain it in severe frosts, which will have a positive effect on fuel consumption and the operation of the standard stove. A simple and working way is to place a piece of cardboard in front of the heat exchanger.

A more effective measure is to cover the radiator grille from the inside with foil insulation or with dermantine from the outside: the absence of cold air blowing over the parts of the power plant helps to speed up warming up while driving. Factory-made sets of overlays and masks are no less effective, but are expensive and do not always comply with the aesthetic picture.

Ready-made kits

In auto parts stores you can find various kits for insulating the engine and radiator for the winter. The advantage of such an acquisition is that there is no need to independently select materials and adjust them. But this approach also has disadvantages. First of all, the cost is quite high. At the same time, they sell you simply cut insulation, packed in a bag. Exactly the same material can be purchased at any hardware store.

Another drawback is low frost protection. The materials used for such kits are far from being of the highest quality. Therefore, even at -12°C, insulating elements cannot cope. In this regard, many people strive to insulate the engine compartment with their own hands.

How to insulate?

The radiator is insulated in 2 ways. They differ in complexity of execution:

• The easiest option is to take a piece of thermal insulation and insert it in front of the radiator. This allows you to remove and install insulation if necessary without wasting extra time;
• Other drivers place insulation in front of the false radiator grille. For this purpose, a cover is sewn from leatherette. Insulation is placed in it. And all this is attached to the grille. The case should have valves that allow air access to the radiator as the temperature rises.

But insulating the radiator is not enough. You also need to pay attention to the engine. The easiest way is to cover the inside of the hood and engine compartment with insulating material. This will significantly reduce heat loss. Another method of insulation is to make a so-called car blanket (see the article “Which car blanket is best to choose”). For this, heat-resistant material is purchased. It is cut to the size of the engine compartment. After which the resulting “blanket” is covered with the engine. In regions with severe frosts, it would be a good idea to cover the crankcase and sides of the engine with insulation.

Source: https://AutoManya.ru/lada-drugoe/uteplenie-reshetki-radiatora.html

At what temperature should cardboard be removed?

The upper limit of ambient temperature permissible for using cardboard in front of a radiator can be considered +5°C. Monitor the weather forecast, the sea temperature indicator and the frequency of operation of the electric cooling fan.

• To warm up or not to warm up a modern engine? All the details and video are here.

Is cardboard in front of the radiator necessary today? - experiment on Lada

How to insulate a Lada Granta engine

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How I insulated the Lada Granta for the winter - do the same (you won’t regret it)

Let me explain what the essence of a winter car insulation package is. We insulate the Lada Granta for the winter in simple ways. Someone will say that this is not necessary, why this collective farm? I'll tell you this: my car doesn't freeze in winter and heats up twice as fast.

Let's start with the engine

First, I insulated the car engine. I put a car blanket on top that I had previously used on other cars. I bought a blanket from a well-known brand of original production, although I think that you shouldn’t trust the advertising. It can be insulated with the same success in other ways. I described this in detail using the example of the Kalina-2 car, which is essentially the same Grant. You can read it here.

The engine warms up faster and cools down longer. This is especially useful for cold regions.

Battery

I insulated the battery with a special case. I checked it, measured the temperature outside and inside the case. The difference was 15 degrees. It was -17 outside, -2 on the battery. The cover can be bought at any spare parts store for about 350 rubles.

Air filter

A pipe extends from the filter housing through which air is sucked in from under the radiator grille. I removed this pipe, and air now enters the engine from the engine compartment.

Gordon0007 › Blog › Making proper winter insulation on Lada Granta

The Lada Granta, like any other modern AvtoVAZ model, can rightfully be considered a warm car. There are many tales and legends about warm “stoves” in the interiors of “our” cars. Some people call it “Sahara”, while others enthusiastically call it “bathhouse”. All this takes place, the heater of the Lada Grant is indeed worthy of praise for its high performance, but nevertheless, at street temperatures below -40, for the sake of preserving the units and simplifying the operation of the engine, you need to insulate your car. Today we will do this.

How to insulate the Lada Granta?

Many car owners, in the old-fashioned way, in severe frosts, insulate their cars with cardboard inserted between the bumper and the radiator grille, some throw pieces of rags on the radiator, and the most advanced ones clamp a sheet of thick Izolon with the hood lid. All these actions lead to the same result - in the car at -40 and below it becomes really warmer, the engine cools down more slowly and warms up faster. But with all this, the appearance of the car suffers greatly. But thanks to the imagination of the Lada Granta owners, an inexpensive, effective and, most importantly, attractive method of insulating a car was found.

Type of insulation

There are several main ways to insulate a car engine for the winter; we’ll talk about each of them in detail:

• Radiator shutter. A method that has been used for a very long time, it is worth noting that this method really works and allows you to speed up engine warming up in cold weather. But it has some disadvantages;
• Autonomous start and warm-up system;
• Do-it-yourself insulation for the engine. It is placed under the hood of the car, using improvised means. And here there are several types of material that are used, we will consider them in detail further, but for now we will simply list: standard insulation, as a rule, it can be purchased separately and installed independently; felt; construction insulator, usually used in finishing work - isolon, which is a synthetic foam coated on one side with a reflective layer of foil;
• Car blanket. Perhaps the most correct method of insulation is an analogue of mineral wool, only made from a special metal-containing alloy, which under pressure forms fibers, from which the car blanket itself is then made.

If you decide to insulate a car engine with your own hands, you need to compare the above options and choose one thing to insulate the engine with, and then proceed directly to installing the system on the car.

Radiator shutter

The principle of operation of such a system is extremely simple - by blocking the main element of the cooling system, the cooling time of the engine increases, and the time during which the internal combustion engine warms up is reduced, but all this can be paid for, because such a damper blocks the cooling system, and therefore, when using it, you need to Be especially careful. If you gape and do not remove such a damper in time, the engine will “boil” from overheating.

Remote start of the internal combustion engine for warming up

Given the high cost of installation, this system is nothing more than a “lazy” system; it does not insulate the engine in any way, but simply allows you to start it remotely to warm up. At the same time, such a system has a big drawback: if installed incorrectly, it can lead to the car not only starting from the remote control, but also starting to drive on its own, and this is a direct path to a car service center.

Various insulation under the hood of a car

When choosing how to insulate an engine for the winter, many are inclined towards this option, because it seems to be relatively safe and practical, but is it really so? It all depends on what material you chose in order to insulate the engine for the winter with your own hands. Let's look at the summary table:

When choosing how to insulate a car engine, pay high attention to your safety and the safety of the car. After all, incorrectly selected or installed insulation can cause a fire, as a result of which you can lose both your car and your health and those of loved ones.

Therefore, there is no need to save money and put anything under the hood.

Car blanket specifically designed to warm the engine

A car blanket is perhaps the only insulation for a car engine that can be called completely safe for the owner. The fabric from which the car blanket is made is a specially processed metal alloy, from which the fibers that form the blanket are obtained. It is designed in such a way that it does not release heat from the engine and does not let cold from the street under the hood. What other insulation materials do not provide.

The blanket is made to the exact shape of the engine compartment and completely covers all engine elements, preventing heat leakage. This automotive trick results in the engine cooling down almost twice as slow and warming up almost twice as fast, while oil begins to be pumped through the system quite quickly.

In order to get a double effect from its use, place a second such blanket between the protection and the crankcase, this way you will protect your car on both sides at once.

Car blanket.

As you know, starting an engine at low temperatures is a serious test and increased wear of all its components and elements. The car blanket is designed to retain heat and prevent the engine from quickly cooling down after a trip. Typically it extends the engine cooling time to 5-6 hours.

The car blanket is made from special non-flammable and safe materials that do not absorb flammable liquids (oil, gasoline) unlike homemade blankets and allow for good heat retention.

There are also disadvantages to this method of keeping the engine warm - high cost, as well as disagreements among servicemen who do not openly acknowledge their use.