Last nice day out today so put my Winter Front On. Get some Nylon Ties and Rubber from the Hardware store. The rubber lasts one year as it comes apart where nylon ties are. I re-used piece from last year but had to cut it shorter, so i had to add another piece.
This helps to warm your car up a bit faster and keeps snow out of rad, bottom of rad area.
You only need to do it to the bottom. I left a small piece open on the driver side because that's where the air intake is. There is plenty of flow from top grille area where the Evil "M" logo is to keep car cool. I also waxed around the emblem and chrome strips today. I put some chrome polish on the wheel nuts as the winter tires went on last week with a brake service. I waxed the car just over a month ago and recently had it rust proofed inspection (every year).
I also topped of windshield washer fluid, changed oil, vaccuumed the car and cabin filter, armoraled the interior, door seals and cleaned windows.
Last Year I insulated the Battery and it made a HUGE Difference, Read: https://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/maz...s-27572/page2/
I am ready for winter!
The large pic is before. The bottom grille is 85% open in this pic.
The smaller attached pics are after.

 

First Snow on Cue! Lots on Car, not on Driveway. Patio Stones are Weird!
Winter front keeping blowing snow out.

 

Drove the other day for 40 minutes, in 1 direction, out in the boonies, with an extra 300 pounds and the car drove great. Never overheated.

 

With it being so cold, had to add some to top. Found lots of Maple keys at top of engine by middle front. They were coming in from the emblem front and centre top. So I covered that. Covered a little much but no issues as it was that cold here. In summer time i'm going to put something permanent behind the emblem to keep crap out. I'll make the top a bit smaller next week or so as it warms up.
It is a lot more heat coming out and getting better fuel mileage.
NOTE: I did change my thermostat to 180 degrees from OE 188ish. Hot temps are good for emissions, not good for engine or power! The OE would be good for winter, not for summer. Too much work to change it every season, so this is what i do. Even if you have a 188 in a real cold area, i would suggest doing something like the winter front, especially on trips less than 30 minutes.

 

Next Year I don't have to cover the emblem as I have put a piece of plastic behind it. Siliconed black plastic from a DVD cover. Also removed bottom chrome strips for clearance as i earlier lowered front end. Removed chrome around headlights, not really, got new headlights and didn't put chrome back on! Repainted with Plasti-Dip

 

If your ECU isn't modified to work with a lower temp thermostat, you are not gaining a single thing. This topic had been beat to death. In a modern car a lower temp thermostat will cause lower coolant temps which will cause the ECU to think the engine is not up to normal/full temp. Because the ECU thinks the engine is not up to temp, in nearly every make and model it will hold-off both timing and fuel in an act of self-preservation.

Your car isn't a '72 Nova that will automatically run richer and provide more fuel because of a lower temp thermostat.

 

It does run great with lots power in summer. I will be putting in a normal thermostat before next winter, as our cold temp months out number our warm temp months. I was using gobs of fuel in winter until it warmed up. With the extra winter front covers, the car DID warm up quicker and mileage was better as well in winter.
I would still recommend a winter front in cold areas for quicker warm ups. Your engine will warm up quicker when it's not exposed to as much cold air. The Mazda has lots of open grille area. As a matter of fact, some cars have electronically controlled shutters behind the grille that stay closed until cooling needed.

For more on grille shutters and advantages, read: http://www.wheels.ca/news/tech-talk-...-fuel-economy/
This winter front is similar.

 

As promised I have changed my engine thermostat back to around 192 degrees (basic stock value is around 188-190 degrees) with a Failsafe thermostat part # 7354-192.
Of course put in new coolant and put engine cover back on.
My fuel mileage is better now.
I still have the area behind the Mazda emblem blocked off from behind and installed the lower grille cover (with rubber matting). It is zipped tied. Didn't have black nylon ties on hand so used up the gray ones. Didn't bother washing it either!
The other day with my new winter front on I went for a little ride while it was 35 degrees fahrenheit outside (2 degrees celsius). I drove for about 15-20 minutes to make sure car was warmed up generously. Then i floored it and got up to 175 km/hr on a back road before slowing down. Power was ok and engine light did not come on, car did not overheat either. There is still plenty of room for air to get in, especially when the air is cold. Drove it for another 10-15 minutes before stopping and all is well.
Before this winter front while i was on the highway, the car did not want to go in to hi gear as tranny wasn't warmed up yet. This is also due to me having an external tranny cooler. It is now partially blocked with the winter front and it now changes gear better.
Soon gonna vaccuum my air filter and my cabin air filter (last year bought new one), for instructions on this: https://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/maz...zda-6-a-28561/