3 ms·

I’m from a hot place and moved to Calgary a couple of years ago. I’ll never forget my first time driving in a cold snap like this. It was -35C and I forgot to

I’m from a hot place and moved to Calgary a couple of years ago. I’ll never forget my first time driving in a cold snap like this. It was -35C and I forgot to plug in my gas powered car. It started the second time, but it drove so weirdly for half an hour. I think the various transmission fluids and lubricants must’ve been frozen or extra viscuous. But at least it worked! Would not want to be stuck in the mountains in an EV unless it had a propane tank or 800km range or something.

BXLE_1-1-BitIs1 3y ago
Yep, even with a manual transmission in neutral you can feel the lubricant viscosity bringing up the clutch at -30C. My car's outside temperature display doesn't show temperature below -30 and it takes time for the radio to start working. Seat warmers are really appreciated as you don't need to wait for the engine to warm up enough to heat the interior. Block heaters run about 400W. It helps a lot to have a garage. When it's this cold, I also run a battery charger as living in a walkable neighborhood, I can go several days without using my car and the battery sags in the cold.
- maerF0x0 3y ago
  a charger like a trickle charger? Or do you mean a warmer (like diesels have those battery blankets) ?
Klonoar 3y ago
…did you drive it immediately after staring it? Barring any emergencies I always wait minimum 10 minutes in cold weather to let the fluids warm up and cycle through.
jacquesm 3y ago
I had a Honda Hybrid in Northern Ontario and it took a lot of planning to keep that car working during the coldest period of the year. Usually the dash would completely fail even if the engine would run and it took 1/2 hour or so for the car to properly warm up. I ended up keeping it indoors and only to roll it out just prior to a drive (and let it warm up outside to avoid CO2 poisoning).

3 ms·

I’m from a hot place and moved to Calgary a couple of years ago. I’ll never forget my first time driving in a cold snap like this. It was -35C and I forgot to

by FredPret 3y ago

BXLE_1-1-BitIs1 3y ago
Yep, even with a manual transmission in neutral you can feel the lubricant viscosity bringing up the clutch at -30C. My car's outside temperature display doesn't show temperature below -30 and it takes time for the radio to start working. Seat warmers are really appreciated as you don't need to wait for the engine to warm up enough to heat the interior. Block heaters run about 400W. It helps a lot to have a garage. When it's this cold, I also run a battery charger as living in a walkable neighborhood, I can go several days without using my car and the battery sags in the cold.
- maerF0x0 3y ago
  a charger like a trickle charger? Or do you mean a warmer (like diesels have those battery blankets) ?
Klonoar 3y ago
…did you drive it immediately after staring it? Barring any emergencies I always wait minimum 10 minutes in cold weather to let the fluids warm up and cycle through.
jacquesm 3y ago
I had a Honda Hybrid in Northern Ontario and it took a lot of planning to keep that car working during the coldest period of the year. Usually the dash would completely fail even if the engine would run and it took 1/2 hour or so for the car to properly warm up. I ended up keeping it indoors and only to roll it out just prior to a drive (and let it warm up outside to avoid CO2 poisoning).