Uncover the Benefits and Drawbacks of Active Grille Shutters!
Table of Contents:
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Introduction
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What are Active Grille Shutters?
- How do they work?
- Why are they on a Ram 1500 truck?
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The Purpose of Active Grille Shutters
- Engine Efficiency
- Improved Aerodynamics
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Reasons to Remove Active Grille Shutters
- Mechanical Fan Load
- Lack of Airflow for Cooling
- Tuning Limitations
- Installing Aftermarket Parts
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Personal Experience and Observations
- Temperature Control
- Fuel Economy
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Conclusion
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Highlights
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
🔍 Introduction
In today's article, we will delve into the topic of active grille shutters, specifically focusing on their functionality, purpose, and the reasons why some individuals choose to remove them from their vehicles. Active grille shutters are a feature found in Ram 1500 trucks, and we will explore their role in engine efficiency and improved aerodynamics. Additionally, we will discuss the potential drawbacks associated with these shutters and some personal experiences with their removal.
🚘 What are Active Grille Shutters?
Active grille shutters, also known as AGS, are an innovative component found on Ram 1500 trucks from 2013 to the present. These shutters are designed to regulate the airflow passing through the front grille, thus providing numerous advantages in terms of engine performance and fuel efficiency. In the following sections, we will examine how these shutters function and the reasons why they are integrated into the Ram 1500 truck.
💡 How do they work?
Active grille shutters consist of an assembly of motor-controlled grilles located behind the front grille of the vehicle. When the engine is started, the shutters go through a range of motion, opening from fully closed to fully open, ensuring their proper functioning. This initial check ensures that the shutters are not jammed or obstructed, as any hindrance could potentially cause overheating. The shutters work in synchronization, controlled by a central motor, allowing for variable adjustments based on the vehicle's operating conditions.
📋 Why are they on a Ram 1500 truck?
The integration of active grille shutters on the Ram 1500 truck serves two primary purposes. Firstly, it aims to enhance engine efficiency by promoting faster warm-up times. The stock thermostat in the Ram 1500 is set at 203 degrees Fahrenheit, aiming for optimal efficiency and cleaner emissions. By keeping the shutters closed initially, the engine temperature rises quickly, allowing for more efficient combustion and improved overall performance.
✅ The Purpose of Active Grille Shutters
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Engine Efficiency: Active grille shutters play a crucial role in achieving optimal engine temperatures. By facilitating quicker warm-up times, these shutters ensure that the engine operates at its most efficient state, promoting cleaner emissions and a smoother running system. The shutters work in conjunction with the thermostat, maintaining a temperature range around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Improved Aerodynamics: Another purpose of active grille shutters is to enhance the vehicle's aerodynamic performance. When driving at high speeds, the shutters remain closed, redirecting the airflow over the hood and the top of the vehicle rather than allowing it to pass through the grille. This aerodynamic improvement reduces drag, resulting in increased fuel efficiency and improved handling.
❌ Reasons to Remove Active Grille Shutters
While active grille shutters offer significant benefits in terms of engine efficiency and aerodynamics, there are instances where individuals may opt to remove them. Below are several reasons why some people choose to remove these shutters from their Ram 1500 trucks:
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Mechanical Fan Load: Removing the mechanical fan from the engine allows for more power and potential gains in horsepower. The constant spinning of the fan creates a parasitic drag that robs the engine of its performance capabilities. However, the removal of the mechanical fan reduces the amount of free airflow passing through the radiator.
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Lack of Airflow for Cooling: With the active grille shutters in place, the amount of airflow passing through the radiator is limited. While the shutters open partially during normal driving conditions, they may not provide sufficient cooling airflow, especially in situations where the mechanical fan is removed. This can potentially lead to higher operating temperatures, causing concerns for engine health and performance.
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Tuning Limitations: Tuning the operation of active grille shutters is not possible with certain tuning tools, such as DiabloSport tuners. These tuners offer control over fan operation but lack the ability to tune the opening and closing of the shutters. This limitation poses challenges for individuals who wish to optimize the operation of their shutters based on their specific needs.
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Installing Aftermarket Parts: Custom modifications, such as adding a pro charger or an intercooler, might require the removal of active grille shutters to make room for the additional components. In such cases, the shutters may no longer serve a functional purpose and are therefore removed for better installation and performance outcomes.
🔍 Personal Experience and Observations
After removing the active grille shutters, some individuals have reported experiencing several notable differences. These include improved temperature control, consistent and cooler running temperatures, and no significant changes in fuel economy or mileage. Despite the potential fuel efficiency benefits attributed to active grille shutters, removing them does not seem to have a substantial impact on overall fuel consumption.
🔚 Conclusion
In conclusion, active grille shutters are an innovative feature integrated into Ram 1500 trucks for the purpose of enhancing engine efficiency and improving aerodynamics. While these shutters offer benefits in terms of faster warm-up times and reduced drag, there are circumstances where individuals choose to remove them due to factors such as mechanical fan load, limited cooling airflow, tuning limitations, and the need for aftermarket modifications. Personal experiences with the removal of active grille shutters have shown improvements in temperature control, suggesting that such modifications may have their advantages.
✨ Highlights
- Active grille shutters (AGS) are motor-controlled grilles that regulate airflow through the front grille of a Ram 1500 truck.
- Their primary purposes are to improve engine efficiency and enhance aerodynamics.
- Removing active grille shutters can offset the load of the mechanical fan, promote better cooling airflow, and allow for specific tuning capabilities.
- Personal experiences indicate improved temperature control and no significant changes in fuel economy after removing active grille shutters.
FAQs
Q: Can I tune the opening and closing of active grille shutters?
A: Tuning tools like DiabloSport do not offer control over active grille shutters' operation. They can only control the fan operation.
Q: Will removing active grille shutters affect my fuel economy?
A: While active grille shutters are designed to improve fuel efficiency, personal experiences suggest that removing them may not significantly impact fuel economy.
Q: Can aftermarket modifications require the removal of active grille shutters?
A: Yes, certain upgrades like installing an intercooler or pro charger may necessitate the removal of active grille shutters to accommodate the additional components.
Q: Do active grille shutters affect engine temperatures?
A: Active grille shutters play a role in achieving optimal engine temperatures by facilitating faster warm-up times and maintaining an ideal temperature range.
