What is the purpose of an active grille shutter?
3 Answers
Active grille shutter functions: An active grille shutter is an adjustable grille that can automatically regulate its opening degree. It can adjust the open or closed state of the grille based on vehicle speed and cabin temperature. After the vehicle starts, the active grille shutter automatically adjusts its opening degree according to the engine temperature, achieving rapid warm-up effects and allowing the engine to reach its optimal working condition in the shortest time. Location: The radiator for the car engine is located at the front of the vehicle. When the engine is just started, its temperature is not very high, and the demand for cooling is minimal, so closing the grille is beneficial. Development: Closing the grille allows the engine to heat up quickly. The engine's temperature is not the lower the better; it has an optimal operating temperature range. Only when the engine is within this range can fuel efficiency and power output be at their best.
After driving a car with active grille shutters, I finally understood its brilliance. It works like a smart air conditioning baffle - the shutters automatically close during cold starts, trapping heat in the engine bay, making the temperature gauge needle rise noticeably faster. In winter, the heater blows warm air at least three minutes earlier. When exceeding 80 km/h on highways, the grille blades gradually close, making the front end feel suddenly tightened and the steering wheel noticeably lighter - that's reduced air resistance. Once during heavy rain on the highway, the partially closed shutters blocked much of the mud and water that would have hit the radiator. When parked for inspection, my radiator fins were significantly cleaner than my friend's. Long-term use showed nearly 0.8L/100km better fuel efficiency, and most importantly, it protects those precision sensors in the engine bay from gravel damage.
I upgraded to an SUV with this feature last year, and the most valuable benefits in real-world use are fuel efficiency and quietness. In city traffic with frequent stop-and-go, the grille opens and closes intermittently based on coolant temperature. Before, I'd always hear the electric fan roaring during summer traffic jams, but now that noise is mostly gone. The dashboard shows the engine consistently maintaining optimal operating temperature. On highways, I deliberately compared—with the grille closed, wind noise drops noticeably, and the fuel gauge showed 50 km more range. During heavy rain, I noticed the grille automatically closes for protection. When washing the car at home, I saw the inner side of the grille was much cleaner than my old car's. The car wash owner mentioned this could extend the radiator's lifespan by years. For average family users, this is practical technology—extending component durability while saving fuel.
