Probably -10 to -20 for me. Remember, wind chills don't count!
Coldest Temp You Ever Cranked Over Your Motor?
- Thread starter BumpDraft2004
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-42F (and we do know the difference between wind chill and actual tmep), Iron Range of Minnesota. Chevy 1/2ton with the 4.3l V6. Not a lot of fun, and nothing sounds real good for quite a while after they start.
Last winter it was -34F here in the outskirts of the Twin Cities one fine morning. The usual coldest time of the day is the hour just after dawn.
Last winter it was -34F here in the outskirts of the Twin Cities one fine morning. The usual coldest time of the day is the hour just after dawn.
I don't remember the temp but 2 out of 3 cars in my yard would not start and 10w-40 Pennzoil would not come out of the quart. I had to aim a torpedo heater at my 78 Cutlass to get it started.
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I`ve started mine when it`s been 17F outside with a crankcase full of 20W50. Started right away,was smooth and silent,and purred like a happy kitten :^)
Originally Posted By: Boomer
The morning this happened, Cincinnati, OH was -49 F, colder than the north slope of Alaska.
Never happened. The coldest Cincinnati has ever been is -25F
Here's the link:
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67891297.html
The morning this happened, Cincinnati, OH was -49 F, colder than the north slope of Alaska.
Never happened. The coldest Cincinnati has ever been is -25F
Here's the link:
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67891297.html
Last edited:
Coldest I ever started a car was when I was 16, back in Feb. 1966 in Winnipeg. The temp was -49F, a record, the car was a Plymouth Fury with a 318. The car had a block heater, 5W-30 oil, and turned over slowly but started right away.
Back in January 1987 I was in Potsdam, NY near the Canadian border and it got down to -25F or -30F ambient if I recall. I had a 1975 Chevy Malibu with a 350 2 barrel. Two pumps and it would start on the first try. With Mobil 5W30 dino it started without a fuss, but I would let it warm up for awhile before I drove off.
On one of those mornings the back window shattered into a million pieces as soon as I closed the door. It was so cold that I couldn't even get duct tape to stick to the car to cover the window with plastic sheeting until I could get it replaced!
I also remember being in Bloomington, IN back in 1976-77 and the temperatures were similar that winter, and for days on end. Dad's '68 VW Bug would always start and many of the other cars in the parking lot would not. I was a kid so I am not sure what oil he was running but I would bet it was bulk 10W30 in the winter. Summer was SAE 30 HD - that would have been like glue at -25F.
Andrew S.
On one of those mornings the back window shattered into a million pieces as soon as I closed the door. It was so cold that I couldn't even get duct tape to stick to the car to cover the window with plastic sheeting until I could get it replaced!
I also remember being in Bloomington, IN back in 1976-77 and the temperatures were similar that winter, and for days on end. Dad's '68 VW Bug would always start and many of the other cars in the parking lot would not. I was a kid so I am not sure what oil he was running but I would bet it was bulk 10W30 in the winter. Summer was SAE 30 HD - that would have been like glue at -25F.
Andrew S.
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
My Buddy ran 100% Dexron ATF in his ford 351 LTD beater all the time in the winter. The car never ran better! This is in the ENGINE not trans, Of course the trans took type-F. C4.
I love it! What is that, something along the lines of SAE20?
As much as we here at BITOG fuss over brand, viscosity, OCI, etc... it's amazing at what people can get away with in their cars.
Perhaps he was an early beta tester for Fords switch to 5w20.
My Buddy ran 100% Dexron ATF in his ford 351 LTD beater all the time in the winter. The car never ran better! This is in the ENGINE not trans, Of course the trans took type-F. C4.
I love it! What is that, something along the lines of SAE20?
As much as we here at BITOG fuss over brand, viscosity, OCI, etc... it's amazing at what people can get away with in their cars.
Perhaps he was an early beta tester for Fords switch to 5w20.
If it's negative anything I ain't leavin' the house.
The coldest I can remember is probably about 20. Rarely below 32. I don't think I've ever even personally seen below zero temps, besides a freezer.
Coldest I can remember is about -15F. Mobil 1 5w-30 in the crankcase on my 02 4runner. Engine definitely turns over slower at those temps but it always starts. Car sits outside year round with probably about 30 mornings of single digit startup per year. Also gotta love the noises that the cold temps bring out!
These kinds of temps in the winter around here are what convinced me to switch to synthetic engine oil in the first place. About 10 years ago, hearing the valve train my '89 Camry clatter at starup for what seemed like forever, (in reality probably about 10 seconds) on I think it was Pennzoil 10w-30, was enough to make me cringe.
These kinds of temps in the winter around here are what convinced me to switch to synthetic engine oil in the first place. About 10 years ago, hearing the valve train my '89 Camry clatter at starup for what seemed like forever, (in reality probably about 10 seconds) on I think it was Pennzoil 10w-30, was enough to make me cringe.
Originally Posted By: BumpDraft2004
And drawing in fresh air no less. You are brave.
That is a must in cold weather. If you recirculate the cabin air, you add moisture as the air warm up. Warmer air can hold more moisture, so the windows fog/ice up inside the car. By drawing in the cold, dry outside air, you keep the humidity level low, reducing the fog/ice.
The coldest was -39F in the later 1990's, it was in High School, and I was working late at night as a stocker for a store. Car was a 1988 Plymouth Reliant, with the 2.5. It started after sitting 7 hours in the cold, I had to jump 8 other employees that night. It was so cold that my jumper cables would not flex, it took two people to uncoil them. Coldest recently was -27F two winters ago.
And drawing in fresh air no less. You are brave.
That is a must in cold weather. If you recirculate the cabin air, you add moisture as the air warm up. Warmer air can hold more moisture, so the windows fog/ice up inside the car. By drawing in the cold, dry outside air, you keep the humidity level low, reducing the fog/ice.
The coldest was -39F in the later 1990's, it was in High School, and I was working late at night as a stocker for a store. Car was a 1988 Plymouth Reliant, with the 2.5. It started after sitting 7 hours in the cold, I had to jump 8 other employees that night. It was so cold that my jumper cables would not flex, it took two people to uncoil them. Coldest recently was -27F two winters ago.
I know I'm not going to break any records but the coldest I've started a car -23F back in the cold snap in the early 90's. i want to say about '93. The car was a junky '87 Ford Escort with TBI (CFI) 1.9 and probably Chevron or Mobil 5W30 and a Motorcraft oil filter. The car cranked slowly and started right up, car made a lot of noise but that escort was always kind of noisy. The power steering fluid was giving very little assist. But the car did drive off.
Quote:
The coldest temperature ever recorded was –22°F (–30°C), occurring on January 19, 1994.[34]
Coldest temperature
I just googled it and my recollections was pretty good off by 1 year and 1 degree. I remember it being -23F was night/early morning in January and the thing is it can get a dergree or two colder at my spot of town. Looks like I started up on the coldest night ever ehre lol.
The coldest temperature ever recorded was –22°F (–30°C), occurring on January 19, 1994.[34]
Coldest temperature
I just googled it and my recollections was pretty good off by 1 year and 1 degree. I remember it being -23F was night/early morning in January and the thing is it can get a dergree or two colder at my spot of town. Looks like I started up on the coldest night ever ehre lol.
My old Chrysler Intrepid 3.3L V6...
After one extremely cold ski trip up north...
-40F, sitting for 2 days! Not plugged in (was in the parking lot of the condos we were staying at).
Had the old Amsoil TSO 0W30 with an AC/Delco filter. Cranked a bit slow, but started right up. It made a bit more noise than usual for a few seconds, but other than that, it ran just fine.
After one extremely cold ski trip up north...
-40F, sitting for 2 days! Not plugged in (was in the parking lot of the condos we were staying at).
Had the old Amsoil TSO 0W30 with an AC/Delco filter. Cranked a bit slow, but started right up. It made a bit more noise than usual for a few seconds, but other than that, it ran just fine.
Originally Posted By: wolfc70
Originally Posted By: BumpDraft2004
And drawing in fresh air no less. You are brave.
That is a must in cold weather. If you recirculate the cabin air, you add moisture as the air warm up. Warmer air can hold more moisture, so the windows fog/ice up inside the car. By drawing in the cold, dry outside air, you keep the humidity level low, reducing the fog/ice.
The coldest was -39F in the later 1990's, it was in High School, and I was working late at night as a stocker for a store. Car was a 1988 Plymouth Reliant, with the 2.5. It started after sitting 7 hours in the cold, I had to jump 8 other employees that night. It was so cold that my jumper cables would not flex, it took two people to uncoil them. Coldest recently was -27F two winters ago.
WOW,thats even more brave!! I don`t think my Altenator could handle that.
Originally Posted By: BumpDraft2004
And drawing in fresh air no less. You are brave.
That is a must in cold weather. If you recirculate the cabin air, you add moisture as the air warm up. Warmer air can hold more moisture, so the windows fog/ice up inside the car. By drawing in the cold, dry outside air, you keep the humidity level low, reducing the fog/ice.
The coldest was -39F in the later 1990's, it was in High School, and I was working late at night as a stocker for a store. Car was a 1988 Plymouth Reliant, with the 2.5. It started after sitting 7 hours in the cold, I had to jump 8 other employees that night. It was so cold that my jumper cables would not flex, it took two people to uncoil them. Coldest recently was -27F two winters ago.
WOW,thats even more brave!! I don`t think my Altenator could handle that.
Originally Posted By: wolfc70
Originally Posted By: BumpDraft2004
And drawing in fresh air no less. You are brave.
That is a must in cold weather. If you recirculate the cabin air, you add moisture as the air warm up. Warmer air can hold more moisture, so the windows fog/ice up inside the car. By drawing in the cold, dry outside air, you keep the humidity level low, reducing the fog/ice.
The coldest was -39F in the later 1990's, it was in High School, and I was working late at night as a stocker for a store. Car was a 1988 Plymouth Reliant, with the 2.5. It started after sitting 7 hours in the cold, I had to jump 8 other employees that night. It was so cold that my jumper cables would not flex, it took two people to uncoil them. Coldest recently was -27F two winters ago.
I don't buy that for a minute! You don't add moisture just because the air temperature heats up - you add moisture from your breath! Warm air can hold more moisture at 100% relative humidity as your graph clearly shows - so if its colder, the chance of fogging windows increases! That's why you see fog and dew in the early morning when the temp is coldest and near the dew/frost point. You keep it off recirculate and crank the heater/defroster so the increased moisture from your breathing goes out of the cabin of the vehicle and the interior surfaces, to include glass, warm up past the dew/frost point and moisture won't condense/freeze on them.
Originally Posted By: BumpDraft2004
And drawing in fresh air no less. You are brave.
That is a must in cold weather. If you recirculate the cabin air, you add moisture as the air warm up. Warmer air can hold more moisture, so the windows fog/ice up inside the car. By drawing in the cold, dry outside air, you keep the humidity level low, reducing the fog/ice.
The coldest was -39F in the later 1990's, it was in High School, and I was working late at night as a stocker for a store. Car was a 1988 Plymouth Reliant, with the 2.5. It started after sitting 7 hours in the cold, I had to jump 8 other employees that night. It was so cold that my jumper cables would not flex, it took two people to uncoil them. Coldest recently was -27F two winters ago.
I don't buy that for a minute! You don't add moisture just because the air temperature heats up - you add moisture from your breath! Warm air can hold more moisture at 100% relative humidity as your graph clearly shows - so if its colder, the chance of fogging windows increases! That's why you see fog and dew in the early morning when the temp is coldest and near the dew/frost point. You keep it off recirculate and crank the heater/defroster so the increased moisture from your breathing goes out of the cabin of the vehicle and the interior surfaces, to include glass, warm up past the dew/frost point and moisture won't condense/freeze on them.
January 1993 -- Land O Lakes, Wisconsin. -31F, 1991 Saturn base SL. 10w30 dealer bulk oil. The thing cranked over but MAN OH MAN was is noisy for a good twenty minutes or so. Tick tick tick tick. The engine never truly warmed up.
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