Buddy of mine is a big cold weather camper. This weekend it will be -20F to -30F in MN. He is looking to go out camping and wonder if there is any product out there that would let him start his toyota corolla with minimal efforts after letting that car sit in cold weather for about many hours.
cold weather start
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JHZR2
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maybe a little ether or similar, sprayed in front of the intake before starting?
Take the battery into the tent with him?
Have a second battery, running a small oil pan heater or similar?
JMH
Take the battery into the tent with him?
Have a second battery, running a small oil pan heater or similar?
JMH
If it were me, I'd change over to M1 0w30 and pack a fully charged second battery. But then again, I wouldn't be camping if it was -20F to -30F outside.
I've seen several references on various message boards and forums, to using ether to assist in starting a gasoline fueled engines.
The volotility of ether is such that its use with a spark ignition engine will cause internal damage. The damage is usually seen in bent push rods, damaged rocker arms and rocker arm shafts bent connecting rods and damaged pistons. Over head cam engines could even see broken cam shafts under the right conditions.
The use of ether in diesel engines where it is designed for is also a source for concern when improperly applied.
An engine should always be rotating before the either is sprayed into the intake. This will prevent loading of the first cylinder on the intake stroke as is the case when the spray and then crank method is used.
The most common problem encountered where ether is used on a diesel engine is ether lock. This is where 1 cylinder is so loaded with ether that partial combustion takes place before the crankshaft is in a position to roll over TDC on the compression stroke when normal combustion would take place.
Save a lot of work, and life in your engine - Don't use ether in a spark ignition engine!!!!
JD
The volotility of ether is such that its use with a spark ignition engine will cause internal damage. The damage is usually seen in bent push rods, damaged rocker arms and rocker arm shafts bent connecting rods and damaged pistons. Over head cam engines could even see broken cam shafts under the right conditions.
The use of ether in diesel engines where it is designed for is also a source for concern when improperly applied.
An engine should always be rotating before the either is sprayed into the intake. This will prevent loading of the first cylinder on the intake stroke as is the case when the spray and then crank method is used.
The most common problem encountered where ether is used on a diesel engine is ether lock. This is where 1 cylinder is so loaded with ether that partial combustion takes place before the crankshaft is in a position to roll over TDC on the compression stroke when normal combustion would take place.
Save a lot of work, and life in your engine - Don't use ether in a spark ignition engine!!!!
JD
What year is the Corolla? My parents 97 RAV4 will start unaided when it is -40C. The transmission used to screech upon startup but whatever it was that was grinding is now ground off.
They just use regular oil.
If I was him I would NOT do this right away. He needs to get a feel for reliability before he can trust the car to this degree. The battery could easily crap out on him on the first cold day of the year.
Steve
If I was him I would NOT do this right away. He needs to get a feel for reliability before he can trust the car to this degree. The battery could easily crap out on him on the first cold day of the year.
Steve
If the battery is good and the car has been maintained properly, any 5W30 will work just fine. Most people in MN use a dino 5w30 in their engines and they start fine for the most part.
A synthetic is the best for cold weather, but the majority of poeple don't use it and their vehicles start just fine.
A synthetic is the best for cold weather, but the majority of poeple don't use it and their vehicles start just fine.
Thanks for the reply. He just bought this car. And I told him to use synthetic. So currently he has volvoline supersyn 5w30 I believe. I am not sure about the condition if his battery though.
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I think the idea of a "cold camping aux battery" would be a fine idea. Something like a deep cycle Optima would be nice. You can store it in any position and not worry about it. It's not that heavy that you will feel too encumbered taking into the tent with you.
That and a set of jumper cables should provide enough security for such excursions.
Yep ...we didn't party much with Verne in the winter time. He usually came to our place.
That and a set of jumper cables should provide enough security for such excursions.
I had a friend who actually went out and bought a real Tee-Pee (not sure if it was buffalo hide ..but it cost enough) and lived in it for a year on his parents property (they had a mini horse farm). Now we don't get much into the single digits around here ..but he DID have to make some adjustments.
Yep ...we didn't party much with Verne in the winter time. He usually came to our place.
A "booster pak" would be handier than a spare battery. They sell them at most auto related stores around here for under $100. They have a set of cables for boosting your car battery and most also have a cigarette lighter type outlet that you can use to power 12v appliances while out camping. I have one and it's great.
A good 0w30 synthetic oil will help, and I highly recommend it for us northern folks. But the condition of the battery and starter are the most important factor.
A good 0w30 synthetic oil will help, and I highly recommend it for us northern folks. But the condition of the battery and starter are the most important factor.
Prize goes to Olympic, for the Booster Pack suggestion. I go camping frequently and I always take 2 of them. I use them for 12v tv, charge cell phones and whatever else. They would also be available for that dead battery possibility in the middle of nowhere. I bought mine at Sams for about $40 each,,,very very very handy...
Haven't used the Booster Pack, but if you get the correct spare sealed battery, it can serve as the replacement battery when the need arises.
I would have a Honda gas powered generator and a battery charger with me.
Lotsa noise (even Hondas make some noise
),lotsa weight, lotsa time, lotsa $$$$$$, lotsa fuel.....
but then again, lotsa time to enjoy happy hour
but then again, lotsa time to enjoy happy hour
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Those small Hondas are virtually silent ..at least the real small one I saw. I couldn't detect it running from about 20 ft away (at an outdoor public event). I had to check twice to know that it was running.
I have a few of those power packs. Sam's had some cheaper knock offs that were defective. They would never get to full charge. $6 ...my father inlaw gave them to everyone for Christmas one year. They work well.
I have a few of those power packs. Sam's had some cheaper knock offs that were defective. They would never get to full charge. $6 ...my father inlaw gave them to everyone for Christmas one year. They work well.
I guess you could use the Honda to run the stereo system during that happy hour huh? The booster packs that I got from Sams have done very well for me, I use them every couple weeks for general camping and other various uses, They are red, 1000 peek amps ("jumper 1000"), made by Century. I bought them in 2000, so they have been in regular use for 4 years now. They really would make a good gift, good job by your in'law.
My 5.4L Ford will start at -30F using Mobil1 5w30 unaided without any trouble.
It was -27C today and my block heater timer was set to the wrong day so it didn't come on. I'm glad I have a new battery because the 1.6 litre VW diesel sure was hesitant, even after 2 minutes of on/off cranking and glowing of the plugs several times.
hehe, I bet all the neighbours were peaking out behind their curtains rooting for me.
I too have a booster pack but didn't need it this time, I feel that they are safer to use the cables as only 1 person is involved when using them.
Cheers, Steve
Cheers, Steve
WElcome to Sudbury, I too live here.quote:
Originally posted by srivett:
It was -27C today and my block heater timer was set to the wrong day so it didn't come on. I'm glad I have a new battery because the 1.6 litre VW diesel sure was hesitant, even after 2 minutes of on/off cranking and glowing of the plugs several times.hehe, I bet all the neighbours were peaking out behind their curtains rooting for me.I too have a booster pack but didn't need it this time, I feel that they are safer to use the cables as only 1 person is involved when using them.
Cheers, Steve
It was **** cold last night. Go to kelly Lk Rd and pick up a case of Esso 0w30 XD-3 synthetic in their distribution center.
Since my change, the truck performs like a champ when cold and warms up in almost half the time.
If it was strictly the car we were worried about in the freeze-your-arshe-off temperature, I'd do this....well, at least on my F150. Take my boat battery as back up, but before cranking, floor it. On Fords, this shuts off the fuel pump and lets the engine turn over without firing up. I think it's best to get some of the oil moving around before it cranks.
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