Why do London cabs cover their radiators during the winter?
Posted by James on February 12, 2013 · 3 Comments
Question by fragglechopsuk: Why do London cabs cover their radiators during the winter?
The owners of a lot of cabs seem to place a piece of plastic or other material over their radiators during cold weather? Is this to improve fuel economy by keeping the engine warm, or is there an inherent design fault?
Best answer:
Answer by Wildcat747
Its so the heater will keep you warm and it could keep the heat in the engine to keep from using the choke so much.
Give your answer to this question below!
Covering the radiator blocks air flow which forces the coolant temp warmer. This is done on heavy trucks in the US in the winter, and is also done on NASCAR racecars.
Engines are most efficient at their correct working temperature. If an engine is running cold the engine wear rate is increased, so in winter increasing the engine temperature by partially covering the radiator can can reduce engine wear. It will also increase the output from heater for the benefit of the driver passengers. Not recommended for modern cars. Covering the radiator whilst parked during high winds and wintery conditions can save an engine from freezing, then so can the correct mix of antifreeze. As a guide this should be as sweet as 2 sugars in tea.
Malfunction of the thermostat. The thermostat is supposed to keep the coolant at 80*C. If broke, too much coolant is going through the radiator. I think 30% of the cars in the world have a broken thermostat. Replacement is cheap (10-20 euro) and straightforward. Covering the radiator is a bad replacement