Active Grille Shutter

applecst · 06-26-2023, 10:43 PM

Recently I've been looking into how the active grille works. It seems that when I start up in sport it opens up but then it closes.

When I drive and turn it into sport it does not always open up.

Is that we have to drive hard for a while for the grille to open?

Thanks!

dy444 · 06-27-2023, 01:13 AM

To be honest I'm quite pleased to hear they stay shut most of the time.

A common sight in the great British countryside in late summer is farm trucks piled high with hay bales trundling along leaving a monsoon of loose bits flying everywhere. I've spent many "happy" hours over the years trying to fish out mountains of dried grass from the cavern behind various BMW grills after having had the misfortune to get stuck behind such a truck.

Having a predominantly shut grill should obviate the need for me to have to do that

pw4 · 06-27-2023, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by applecst

Is that we have to drive hard for a while for the grille to open?

It will be temperature dependent - if the engine gets hot, the grille opens. You might be able to check its opening by putting the aircon on full - that should open the second stage of the thermostat and the grille might open with that - worth a try if you're interested.

MPR · 06-27-2023, 07:35 AM

Agreed. How I understand it is the car wants the fins shut for aerodynamics and only opens them up when additional cooling is needed.

BlueLEDz · 06-27-2023, 12:34 PM

Asked on videos from YouTube, setting the car to Max AC, will force the vents open.

I believe it’s so there is maximum air flow through the condenser

XC3LLR8 · 06-28-2023, 08:06 AM

Car doesn't need to be on Max A/C for vents to open. My car starts in Sport Individual with A/C on low and the vents open. I'm sure the ambient temp plays into the equation as well, as it's currently very hot and humid here.

applecst · 06-28-2023, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

Car doesn't need to be on Max A/C for vents to open. My car starts in Sport Individual with A/C on low and the vents open. I'm sure the ambient temp plays into the equation as well, as it's currently very hot and humid here.

Not sure if yours does that but it opens on startup in sports but then it closes after I while....

MPR · 06-28-2023, 10:15 AM

As XC3LLR8 and myself have mentioned, it's not based only on the driving mode and AC setting. The ambient air/engine temp factor into the cars decision to open the vents.

applecst · 06-28-2023, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPR

As XC3LLR8 and myself have mentioned, it's not based only on the driving mode and AC setting. The ambient air/engine temp factor into the cars decision to open the vents.

Ah I see. Thanks man. Sometimes I drive it hard and still no open lol.

06-26-2023, 10:43 PM	#1
applecst First Lieutenant 249 Rep 317 Posts Drives: G42 M240i Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Active Grille Shutter Recently I've been looking into how the active grille works. It seems that when I start up in sport it opens up but then it closes. When I drive and turn it into sport it does not always open up. Is that we have to drive hard for a while for the grille to open? Thanks! __________________ I doubt, therefore I might be.
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06-27-2023, 01:13 AM	#2
dy444 Private First Class 136 Rep 122 Posts Drives: BMW G42 M240i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	To be honest I'm quite pleased to hear they stay shut most of the time. A common sight in the great British countryside in late summer is farm trucks piled high with hay bales trundling along leaving a monsoon of loose bits flying everywhere. I've spent many "happy" hours over the years trying to fish out mountains of dried grass from the cavern behind various BMW grills after having had the misfortune to get stuck behind such a truck. Having a predominantly shut grill should obviate the need for me to have to do that __________________ G42 M240i xDrive. Brooklyn Grey, 19" Bicolour Double-spoke style 893 M alloy wheels with performance tyres, Technology Plus Pack, M Adaptive Suspension, Harman/Kardon Surround Sound Audio System, Heated Steering Wheel, Aluminium Rhombicle Interior Trim
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06-27-2023, 07:35 AM	#4
MPR Lieutenant Colonel 1821 Rep 1,961 Posts Drives: 22 BMW M240i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Agreed. How I understand it is the car wants the fins shut for aerodynamics and only opens them up when additional cooling is needed.
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06-27-2023, 12:34 PM	#5
BlueLEDz Private First Class 153 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW 230i Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Asked on videos from YouTube, setting the car to Max AC, will force the vents open. I believe it’s so there is maximum air flow through the condenser
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06-28-2023, 08:06 AM	#6
XC3LLR8 Banned 2063 Rep 1,559 Posts Drives: Super73 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Keller, TX iTrader: (0)	Car doesn't need to be on Max A/C for vents to open. My car starts in Sport Individual with A/C on low and the vents open. I'm sure the ambient temp plays into the equation as well, as it's currently very hot and humid here.
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06-28-2023, 10:15 AM	#8
MPR Lieutenant Colonel 1821 Rep 1,961 Posts Drives: 22 BMW M240i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	As XC3LLR8 and myself have mentioned, it's not based only on the driving mode and AC setting. The ambient air/engine temp factor into the cars decision to open the vents.
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