Also, I had been hearing a clicking sound up front when I first started the car. I didn't know what it was. Not sure if I still do. Perhaps that was the shutter trying to do its thing. Maybe it gave up, hopefully, or the thing is so totally frozen it doesn't make noise anymore. I'll try to listen for it. I might try the self service car wash if it's open-it's 1°F now. I wonder which setting gives you the hottest water, I haven't been to one in a while.
IIRC with fourth gen's active shutters, below a certain ambient temperature they would open open partway, and remain thus.
You can just get a hose and keep blasting it with water, until it all melts. Place the car into maintenance mode; so everything warms up and you don't get ice forming where they shouldn't. A warm car should prevent that, since I'm pretty sure that was part of the torture test they put the car through, freezing rain. Just avoid using the car's front end as a snow plow in the future.
Got it sorted. @Tande was spot on. The self service wand at the car wash worked great (even at 10°F). The louvers are wide open now when the car is off, picture below. As I was leaving for the car wash, I remembered that I had indeed hit the snow pile at the edge of the driveway when leaving a few days ago, and it was on the driver's side. Car washes in these cold temperatures added ice to the snow, creating a huge chunk. I think it's supposed to cycle upon startup, but I'm not sure. I might try that 3 button remote start thing while looking at the louvers. Anyway, all's well that ends well. Hopefully the shutter's lifespan wasn't lessened.
According to a 2017 Toyota promotional video, they do that below 5°C. 5G seems to attempt to use them at lower temperatures - certainly below freezing. You do get some clicking noises if they're frozen, but it gives up after a few seconds - it seems the mechanics and algorithm have been adjusted so it isn't paranoid about dealing with frozen shutters.
The Prius was pointing into the sun after I did my walk at the golf course so I had an easy view. I did the 3 lock push and hold thing to put the car into Ready. The louvers started from the open position and I think it cycled, but then they closed totally. It’s 20°F here. Not sure if it cycled first or not.
Watching recent South Main Auto episodes (YouTuber in up-state New York)), seems like every car he rolls into his shop is covered in snow. Me, I'd be blowing it off with a leaf blower first, but he's a pro, just takes it in stride.
This episode could highlight a negative of car washing in cold weather, but they use so much salt on roads. After the walk, drove 5 minutes to supermarket to shop. Upon leaving, monitored louvers again. Quite crunchy and balky when cycling. Small icicle prevented it from closing completely. Perhaps formed when in horizontal position while shopping. Thinking of changing routine to shop first then wash car. Perhaps an extended vertical position when closed on the drive home would allow water to drip off before forming ice. It's a theory. Might spray some windshield washer fluid on assembly in the garage today before leaving. Longest cold spell here in a while.
Same here, we're 60° warmer this winter than 2 years ago,. Nothing like the grinding sound studded tires scratching up the concrete garage floor.
no crunching today when I started the car in the 20°F garage. I think I’m gonna stick with my old routine. The radiator probably heated it up at some point during the drive. Will see.
