I've had my license plate mounted this way for 6 1/2 years and over 108,000 miles, and I've never had a problem. I've never had any more than 3 bars on my temp gauge, either.

Consider this: Your cooling system is taxed the most when you are stalled in traffic on very hot days with your A/C running full blast. Having your front grille partially covered at this time doesn't affect the heat transfer bacause both fans are kicked on, pulling air around the plate through the radiator. When you are moving on hot days your A/C fan would likely kick in more often and longer than otherwise, but you won't overheat. If you've ever had a car with a cooling problem (like a plugged radiator) you learn what conditions are worst, and cruising down the highway on a hot day isn't one of them.

Admittedly, my climate is cooler than many others in the South and West, but it's easy to try. What's the worst that can happen? Your temps start climbing on your gauge. You could turn your A/C off and drop your top and/or jump out and cut the zip ties with a pocket knife and take the plate off temporarily before your radiator gets too hot.

BTW: I had to trim about 1/4" off of the top and bottom of the plate to get it to fit in the grille. I also put a thin strip of duct tape along the edge to prevent any scratching.

 

Thanks, Slalom44. I will try that. Interestingly, the 2008 MY must have a larger grill, my plate fits.