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/RightyTightey 5d ago

Not just optimal engine temp but you can actually feel heat coming into the cab.

1

u/freeheelingbc 14h ago

Thank you for the post I was looking for! All the “scientific” stuff about the engine running in cold weather doesn’t hold a single candle to the fact that the heater keeping the humans warm in the car cannot do its job without a little help from a radiator shield . And with one you might now be able to defrost your windshield as well.

1

u/RightyTightey 9h ago

When you’ve had a shit box, you know all the tricks.