What is the purpose of an active grille shutter?
2 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.
