Radiator shutter i.e. active aerodynamics

[ciklee]

I'm soliciting for opinions on radiator shutters (or what BMW calls active aerodynamics), whether it is a good idea for our hot climate. BMW claims it saves fuel which i kinda agree especially on highways. But the notion that it might fail kinda worries me.

My UK spec car has this option and Im contemplating of removing it altogether out of paranoia hehe. Anyone with this option care to share your experience? Or i should stop being paranoid.

 

[moots]

he he...bro...you are being paranoid......jangan marah bro.....

those shutters are plastic and are very light.put a table fan to it and you will see that they will move open.Even if we are in traffic it will not restrict airflow to the radiator.Don't lose sleep over it bro.... :sleep:

 

[ciklee]

he he...bro...you are being paranoid......jangan marah bro.....

those shutters are plastic and are very light.put a table fan to it and you will see that they will move open.Even if we are in traffic it will not restrict airflow to the radiator.Don't lose sleep over it bro.... :sleep:

actually the shutters are electrically controlled via magnetic switch when the engine is on. even when you push it with your finger, they wouldn't open (unless you shove it very hard laa).

bmw claims that the shutters will disengage if there is a fault with the system as a fail safe measure. I hope this is true though :63:

maybe i should get a temperature gauge installed instead so I can keep an eye on the engine temperature. i used to enable the coolant temperature reading from the secret obd menu before every drive. now malas already to do that.

 

[astroboy]

Remove it la. When it works its fine but when it fail.. Potential overhaul kind of overheating damage.

 

[moots]

actually the shutters are electrically controlled via magnetic switch when the engine is on. even when you push it with your finger, they wouldn't open (unless you shove it very hard laa).

bmw claims that the shutters will disengage if there is a fault with the system as a fail safe measure. I hope this is true though :63:

maybe i should get a temperature gauge installed instead so I can keep an eye on the engine temperature. i used to enable the coolant temperature reading from the secret obd menu before every drive. now malas already to do that.

wah....electrically controlled shutters......this is news....so I went down to look...he he he....

closed position


pushed open


So maybe mine is broken as i can push them open without any resistance.And I really can't figure the purpose of this set up as ram air can easily flow from the bottom:



So I googled and this is what I found :

Clavurion wrote:
Radiator shutter

The radiator shutter seals off the engine compartment from the outside and directs the cooling air under the engine.

When the vehicle is driven, the closed radiator shutter reduces the warm-up phase of the engine. In higher road speed ranges, this improves the CW value of the vehicle. This saves fuel and thus has an advantageous effect on the emissions. Furthermore, the faster heating of the coolant means that the full heat output of the vehicle can be called up earlier.

Components

*Radiator shutter
*Solenoid switch

Function

With the ignition off or in the event of a break in the activation cable, the radiator shutter is not locked. After engine start-up, the engine control unit switches the solenoid switch to earth and thus closes prevents the radiator shutter from opening.

When one or more of the following conditions exist when the vehicle is being driven, the magnetic lock for the radiator shutter is deactivated.

*Coolant temperature > 90°C
*Gearbox fluid temperature > 110°C
*Engine oil temperature > 130°C
*Power to map thermostat > 90% (only DME)
*Electric fan active

Fault code memory entries

If there is an electrical fault in the assembly, the radiator blind lock is deactivated.

The radiator shutter lock is also deactivated if a defect is detected at the coolant-temperature sensor or electric fan.

There are also some writeup that says the shutters are engaged when the engine is started and is regulated with varying engine temps and that the shutters cannot be pushed open when the engine is started.Well....I'll confirm this in the morning.

Sheesh....what an overkill and serious un needed gadgetery when there is already a big gaping hole underneath the kidney grill for cooling....

Well maybe IT IS for more efficient aerodynamics...what do I know.....

 

[tckhor]

In countries with cold winters where the engine needs to be warmed up, the shutter may help.
But in a hot climate like ours, it may not be that useful. I find that the temp reaches the operating range barely 1km into the drive even with mild driving.
Forummers, I would like to know how to enable the temperature reading from the OBD menu. I have been searching for this info.
Thanks.

 

[ciklee]

Bro moots,

Try push it open when the engine is on. If can push open easily, then maybe it is faulty so that confirms the shutters do disengage as a fail-safe measure. Maybe i can stop being paranoid then ;p

 

[ciklee]

In countries with cold winters where the engine needs to be warmed up, the shutter may help.
But in a hot climate like ours, it may not be that useful. I find that the temp reaches the operating range barely 1km into the drive even with mild driving.
Forummers, I would like to know how to enable the temperature reading from the OBD menu. I have been searching for this info.
Thanks.

The purpose of the shutters is more for aerodynamics. I think the faster warming up of the engine is byproduct of the system. There are also cars with cold weather package that do not have this radiator shutters.

Come to think of it, do Msia-spec BMWs have this option offered? If not mistaken, the option code is 1CB?

 

[ciklee]

Bro tckhor,

To enable temperature reading via the OBD secret menu, follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the odometer reset button until you see the first OBD menu
2. Then repeatedly press the button until you reach the unlock code menu (i think it is the 20th option). You need to enter code to unlock the menu. The code is the sum of the last 7 digits of your car's VIN
3. When the code setting is enabled, enter your unlock code by pressing the button again repeatedly. When done, wait until the OBD menu goes back to menu 1
4. Finally, go to menu 7 (if i'm not mistaken) which is the coolant temperature reading

If you make a mistake, just wait until the OBD menu returns to menu 1 and start all over again. Good luck.

 

[moots]

Bro moots,

Try push it open when the engine is on. If can push open easily, then maybe it is faulty so that confirms the shutters do disengage as a fail-safe measure. Maybe i can stop being paranoid then ;p

OK.This morning start car in driveway...the shutters are locked...kenot push.Drove till reach opis....park and engine running,aircond off and elect fan off...shutters still locked.
Shut down engine...shutters unlocked.Wah still works.

I'll see if it works with the following logics :

When one or more of the following conditions exist when the vehicle is being driven, the magnetic lock for the radiator shutter is deactivated.

*Coolant temperature > 90°C
*Gearbox fluid temperature > 110°C
*Engine oil temperature > 130°C
*Power to map thermostat > 90% (only DME)
*Electric fan active


Ciklee...you can stop worrying coz system is fail safe ie:

If there is an electrical fault in the assembly, the radiator blind lock is deactivated.

The radiator shutter lock is also deactivated if a defect is detected at the coolant-temperature sensor or electric fan

 

[moots]

Well..came home after work with engine idle,aircond running and elect fan running and confirm the shutter is unlocked and is partially open due to the fan vacuum:


So the shutters are locked and unlocked depending on the logic set:
*Coolant temperature > 90°C
*Gearbox fluid temperature > 110°C
*Engine oil temperature > 130°C
*Power to map thermostat > 90% (only DME)
*Electric fan active

Live and learn.....thanks ciklee

 

[UnoS]

My car local assy.... S823A HEISSLAND-AUSFUEHRUNG Hot-climate version :- dont have this radiator shutter...

 

[ciklee]

Well..came home after work with engine idle,aircond running and elect fan running and confirm the shutter is unlocked and is partially open due to the fan vacuum

Bro moots,

I dont think the shutters open due to fan vacuum. I think the opening is controlled via ecu in steps of about 15 degree. So when on highway, the shutters can be closed shut to direct air above and below the car, thus improving aerodynamics. If cooling is required, then the shutters open to let air in. Of coz, this is only my understanding of how the system works, i could be wrong though. The only way to know for sure is to mount a gopro cam on the grill ;p

The biggest opening i notice on my car is about 60 deg. Never seen the shutters open 90 deg so far.

 

[moots]

Bro moots,

I dont think the shutters open due to fan vacuum. I think the opening is controlled via ecu in steps of about 15 degree. So when on highway, the shutters can be closed shut to direct air above and below the car, thus improving aerodynamics. If cooling is required, then the shutters open to let air in. Of coz, this is only my understanding of how the system works, i could be wrong though. The only way to know for sure is to mount a gopro cam on the grill ;p

The biggest opening i notice on my car is about 60 deg. Never seen the shutters open 90 deg so far.

Well,on my car,when I came home and parked with engine and aircond running,the shutters position is as per pic (ie unlocked) and can be manually closed or open fully with my fingers hence my assumption that they are either locked or unlocked.
Oh yes I would really like to have a gopro cam.Lotsa stuff we can see whilst things are i motion...and a very good tool to have to trouble shoot defects that cannot be reproduced unless the car is on the go :67:

 

[moots]

Yesterday,with a cold engine,I started the car - shutter locked close.Put on the AC and fan running - shutter still locked close.

Coolant temperature > 90°C
*Gearbox fluid temperature > 110°C
*Engine oil temperature > 130°C
*Power to map thermostat > 90% (only DME)
*Electric fan active

Looks like its an AND logic set....