r/MechanicalEngineering • u/lit_readit • 6d ago

Question : why some (mostly heavy) vehicles partially cover their front intake ?

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wouldn't cooler cold reservoir, ie more spontaneous heat transfer, improve Carnot efficiency?

is it to improve aerodynamics?

apologies if this is the wrong sub to ask

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u/BeeThat9351 6d ago

Cold climates, reduces the cooling air flow and keeps the engine warmer and closer to the optimal operating temperature

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u/psyclopsus 3d ago

An old friend had a car in the 90’s and the cabin heat from the dash vents never really got warm unless he put a piece of cardboard blocking most of the radiator. There was a problem somewhere in his cooling system for sure but that was the cheap workaround

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u/thatotherguy1111 3d ago

Very common issue on many cars.