Starting the Engine in Very Cold Temps

alaskaman

alaskaman

Senior Member
Anchorage as my fellow residents know has been in a cold snap for about a week with night temperatures reaching 25 below zero within 30 miles of Anchorage.

The Beast has been handling it well. I don't have a block heater (yet). I turn the key to on without igniting the engine and let the electronics connect then turn the key and let go. A little hump then it starts. I typically warm it up for about 5 minutes before rolling down the road. There is a RAV 4 parked next to me. It has not started for about a week. Looks frozen and brittle. The dealer said the 4Runner is good to about 40 below and I had synthetic oil (Quaker State) put in two weeks ago. Any thoughts welcome. My daughter tells me to get a heated garage course She has always been smarter than me. :p :bonk:
 
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It's been cold in western Wyoming. I sit at 7000 feet above sea level and the coldest it's been in the morning this winter has been 19 below. Both my 4Runner and my Scion have started well in the cold. Neither vehicle use block heaters. In 4 winters with the coldest of 24 below, I have yet to use a block heater in any of my vehicles. I think the technology advances made in the new vehicles with computer controls and better battery technology makes the engines easier to start.

Bruce
 
I think that you are right the technology is better. A new battery is a real asset. Many people here don't use a block heater and some do. In Fairbanks however they say you should for sure have one. last week it was -45 there. 7000 feet. must be sweet. =)
 
A block heater is mandatory in pretty much all parts cold in Canada. So basically everywhere EXCEPT Vancouver!

All you need is 3 hours of the block heater on and voila you will start with no trouble.

Now I know you have a new batt and synthetic, but by using the block heater, it will reduce the stress on the motor when you do the first start, and hence won't stress the battery out as well.
 
morphius909 said:
A block heater is mandatory in pretty much all parts cold in Canada. So basically everywhere EXCEPT Vancouver!

All you need is 3 hours of the block heater on and voila you will start with no trouble.

Now I know you have a new batt and synthetic, but by using the block heater, it will reduce the stress on the motor when you do the first start, and hence won't stress the battery out as well.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Have been looking for a remote start as well. Block heaters go for about $300.00 and remote start from $300 and up. Dealer wants about $1large for the whole package.
 
These 3 things will go a long way:

- Block heater
- Battery warmer
- 0W30 Winter oil (5W30 is sufficient as well)

Don't forget, a car starter doesn't make it any easier on the vehicle for starting when it's cold. You still need the above items mentioned above. Unless you have it programmed to start the vehicle every couple hours or so when its below a certain temperature, but that can cut into your fuel consumption quite a bit!

Oh, and for the record, this is how cold it was a few weeks ago!! -62F (-52C) Now that is cold!

Dec17ColdF.jpg~original
 
Also, remember that there are other components other than your engine that needs time to warm up, such as your transmission, differentials, etc. Either way, drive slow until full operating temps are reached.
 
good advice and appreciated. we always knew that the Canadians are truly hardy. that is ridiculously frigid.
 
Your daughter is correct, AKman. A heated garage is the best winter accessory of them all.
But we live in the tropics, compared to Gillam!

JP
 
jpalaska said:
Your daughter is correct, AKman. A heated garage is the best winter accessory of them all.
But we live in the tropics, compared to Gillam!

JP
Click to expand...

yup. looking around for a home at this time with at least a double garage. I am assuming that the garage heater is a smaller self contained unit?.........
 
Nope. The heater is on a hot water loop from the furnace. It has a strong fan and its own thermostat. Works great to keep the large 2 vehicle garage toasty warm all winter.

JP
 
jpalaska said:
Nope. The heater is on a hot water loop from the furnace. It has a strong fan and its own thermostat. Works great to keep the large 2 vehicle garage toasty warm all winter.

JP
Click to expand...

OK. have to heat up the hot tub with a separate heater then most likely..........looking out in Eagle River and Chugiak new or newer construction..........
 
Tempsho said:
These 3 things will go a long way:

- Block heater
- Battery warmer
- 0W30 Winter oil (5W30 is sufficient as well)

Don't forget, a car starter doesn't make it any easier on the vehicle for starting when it's cold. You still need the above items mentioned above. Unless you have it programmed to start the vehicle every couple hours or so when its below a certain temperature, but that can cut into your fuel consumption quite a bit!

Oh, and for the record, this is how cold it was a few weeks ago!! -62F (-52C) Now that is cold!

Dec17ColdF.jpg~original
Click to expand...


Holy Jeez! And I thought Edmonton was Cold today.

Thank the Physics Gods that Inanimate objects are not affected by windchill!
 
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