Can you even imagine doing this in the winter?
- Thread starter ZZman
- Start date
The title is a bit disingenuous. The lowest ever recorded temperature in Yakutsk was -64C (-83F) in 1891, while the lowest temperature in the past 45 years is -56C (-68F). It's still cold and I wouldn't want to try to start a vehicle there today, because it's -36C (-33F).
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
When they walk in the snow, you know it is cold! I skied at -42c and started Opel Vectra B 2.0 16V with, I believe, Statoil 10W40 in it. It TAKES TIME to warm up, and the camshafts were not happy.
But, their vehicles are made for it. I drove Lada Niva when I worked for NATO for some time, and off road, cold, etc. it was exceptional vehicle. Super loud, and super uncomfortable, but starts all the time, and has exceptional heating. Only problem was when we got new ones, sometimes they forget to install some parts. For example we could not engage 4WD bcs. selector was missing some parts.
They still sell those vehicles. There is not much inside to go bad bcs. cold. No screens etc.
But, their vehicles are made for it. I drove Lada Niva when I worked for NATO for some time, and off road, cold, etc. it was exceptional vehicle. Super loud, and super uncomfortable, but starts all the time, and has exceptional heating. Only problem was when we got new ones, sometimes they forget to install some parts. For example we could not engage 4WD bcs. selector was missing some parts.
They still sell those vehicles. There is not much inside to go bad bcs. cold. No screens etc.
I doubt many do there? I would think -50C would be about the limit to run a new car easily? With a battery, block, and oil pan heater, and all synthetic and low viscosity driveline oils, I think you could set the timer to turn on the heaters 30-60 min before you go, and do a few minutes idle, and drive off.
Running old equipment with conventional oils in cold weather does take a lot more preparation like shown in the clip.
I wonder what "up to temp" on the oil would be under those conditions. Much colder than it was here today at -4F. During my sustained driving at 80mph I couldn't get my oil temp in the sump to break 200F. Not one minute after getting off the interstate, driving at 40 down a city road I had lost 10 degrees. Oil doesn't get up to the viscosity rating temp below zero for me, let alone in a climate like that.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
What vehicle is that?
I don't see over 170F and it's been in the 30s(F). Level ground low load or downhill, temps will drop into the 160s. I can't image how cold the oil would be driving in sub -30.
The VW with the EA888.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Strange. Never had that issue with Tiguan or CC, and they have seen as low as -40f.
Maybe bcs. manual?
The Niva was quite popular here c. 30 years ago. There's one parked a few blocks away. It looks like it hasn't moved in quite a few years.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
They had Peugeot diesels in them for some time. It was to make it somewhat attractive to Euro buyers.
The coldest start with my current Honda was -40 C/F in Saskatoon. The block heater was plugged in and it started well enough, but the seats were as hard as boards. I didn't think to use the seat heaters but I guess that's what they're for.
On a really cold day, if you have a manual transmission you'll find starting a little easier with the clutch in. When you let the clutch out the engine will audibly "sag" for a few seconds.
When it's really cold the heater core may be all that is needed to cool the engine. As long as the engine temperature stays normal, there is no need to be alarmed if the radiator stays stone cold.
When I was a young guy working up North, we just kept our business vehicles running in really cold weather.
On a really cold day, if you have a manual transmission you'll find starting a little easier with the clutch in. When you let the clutch out the engine will audibly "sag" for a few seconds.
When it's really cold the heater core may be all that is needed to cool the engine. As long as the engine temperature stays normal, there is no need to be alarmed if the radiator stays stone cold.
When I was a young guy working up North, we just kept our business vehicles running in really cold weather.
It’s mostly hyperbole. People that live in these regions always use block heaters and even oil pan heaters. It’s not uncommon for parking lots at work and malls to have power outlets for this very reason.
Very common here in Sweden to have power outlets for that here too and it never gets that cold here. Just nice to have a warm car to sit in. Also not having to scrape the windows is nice.
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I can't recall even 0F in many years, but 12F within a couple of weeks. That I am not afraid of, but do worry about "things" such as house and cars. So anything beyond -20F I would be scared. Even antifreeze is -34F. If I'm not mistaken approaching 65-70% gets it down to -55F before it inflects. So how a vehicle can be operated as it approaches -50F, I would not know nor feel comfortable doing. The block heaters make sense.
I once skied at -17F at the peak. took one run and stayed inside the rest of the day. I was worried about my toes.
I once skied at -17F at the peak. took one run and stayed inside the rest of the day. I was worried about my toes.
That truck looks awesome, I'd love to have one. But not in temps that bad, that would stink but I guess you get used to it.
On an epic ski day back in 1992 where the best fine snow powder possible is formed (northeast) it was -22F out with a 20” snow dump at ski mountain.
My 1988 VW Jetta GLI16V barely started with 15w40 in sump.
I could hear the gears spinning in transmission and when I let out clutch sticking to floor in neutral it stalled. I restarted and let warm up for a few moments and let clutch out slowly to hear gears whirring but left after 20 mins and car worked.
I was panting most of day overdressed and my tooth enamel had some cracks because I was having dental work pre and post that ski day and dentist noticed.
My 1988 VW Jetta GLI16V barely started with 15w40 in sump.
I could hear the gears spinning in transmission and when I let out clutch sticking to floor in neutral it stalled. I restarted and let warm up for a few moments and let clutch out slowly to hear gears whirring but left after 20 mins and car worked.
I was panting most of day overdressed and my tooth enamel had some cracks because I was having dental work pre and post that ski day and dentist noticed.
We've cross country skied on relatively flat ground in -40 weather. It's not fun. We had planned a cross country ski holiday in northern Saskatchewan (I was practicing medicine in Saskatoon at the time). But the weather did not cooperate. At least there was no wind.
We were able to ski for up to a half hour at a time but spent most of the time in our cottage. Mercifully our car started when it was time to go home.
That was a memorable vacation, though not in a good way.
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