Extreme Cold

[rraiderr]

I have a Toyota FJ running the Toyota syn 0w-20 with Toyota filter.

We have been have a record below 0F cold snap here, I am talking -30F and colder.

How bad is the cold damaging my engine at start up when I get up and go to work at 5AM?

Also does the extreme cold cause excessive wear when diving after the engine heats up?

I park it outside as the wife has the garage.

Thanks

 

[Klutch9]

To the OP... it sounds like you have no choice or control over the situation, so don't worry about it and let your car work for you, not the other way around.

 

[Barkleymut]

take it easy for the first 10 miles and you will be fine. remember there are millions of cars in Alaska, Canada, and Russia that see worse conditions every year and still do fine.

 

[spasm3]

Keep the rpm's down ease of the gas and let the trans shift early, at least for the first 5 miles.

 

[NO2]

Drive slow and gently for the first few miles. Avoid driving at highway speeds for a bit - your transmission, PS, etc... need to warm up and won't do so until the car is driven.

Your battery cannot deliver much current at those temperatures, so if you park outside at work consider idling your car for 10 or 15 min to warm the engine mid-day. (Or use your remote start if you have one)

 

[turtlevette]

you could pick up a dipstick oil heater. They should have them at your local auto parts places. Those temps are going to make your oil thick like honey.

 

[rraiderr]

Thanks guys, looking up dipstick heater now, never heard that before.


Thanks again

 

[rraiderr]

Dipstick heater looks cool, can someone help me out with a link or part number to buy. Just checked on Amazon with no luck.

Thanks

 

[turtlevette]

autozone and NAPA have them. Ebay has them. I believe they are universal.

I did find one on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Kats-15200-Dipstick-Style-Heater/dp/B000BO74DG

 

[sir1900]

Reviews for the dipstick heater don't look all that great. To the OP, make sure the block heater cord is plugged in and you'll be fine. It was -35C/-31F this morning and my Civic started no problem.

 

[Fetch]

If you have a block heater, use it! If not, make sure you have all power draining items turned off in the car (climate control, radio, interior lights, headlights). Read your owners manual for cold weather starting procedures. Let your engine warm up slowly, and when first starting your journey, take it easy to allow all the fluids to slowly circulate and warm up.

The term "Cold Snap" could refer to everything outside when you use it, so take it easy

*Added* There are various types of heaters you can buy, such as battery blankets, magnetic heaters, and even glue on ones as well, but a block heater is by far the best (and generally cheapest).

 

[turtlevette]

Another option is the Katz magnetic oil pan heater but you have to lay down to stick it on your oil pan. Then remove it before you drive off.

I just mentioned the dipstick heater because its easier to install. I used to have one and it burned up. They are finicky.

 

[bvance554]

Don't go to work! Just stay home... Its too hard on your vehicle.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Another option is the Katz magnetic oil pan heater but you have to lay down to stick it on your oil pan. Then remove it before you drive off.

I just mentioned the dipstick heater because its easier to install. I used to have one and it burned up. They are finicky.




Yeah I like the magnetic ones. You could also run an extension cord thru your firewall and put a space heater in your passenger compartment then run that off the house. You could run less heat and let the engine coolant warm up faster.

 

[A_Harman]

You're running 0w20 oil in your car already, so you're good. 0W oils are tested for cold flow down to -40F. A few zero-degree starts during a cold snap aren't going to hurt anything.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: A_Harman
You're running 0w20 oil in your car already, so you're good. 0W oils are tested for cold flow down to -40F. A few zero-degree starts during a cold snap aren't going to hurt anything.


This; you have no worries. Just drive it easy while cold.

 

[Indydriver]

If it starts, drive it. Be more worried about why you didn't spring for those Blizzaks last month.

 

[dlundblad]

At least youre not like me with a 10w30 oil still in at -15 degree temps. It took a while to crank plus the oil pressure took a few seconds to come up. All that could have been slightly alleviated if i used a 5w or even a 0w oil.

I know my engine wont implode during the few times it has to start like that, but i learned a lesson.

 

[ecotourist]

What you describe is actually fairly normal winter driving conditions for weeks to months every year in Canada. Your oil is quite appropriate.

Assuming you can get your vehicle to start without a block heater (which mostly depends on how good your battery charge is) let it warm up until you can defrost your windows adequately, then drive off - gently at first. Driving a vehicle warms it up quickly. If your thermostat is in good condition you should be fine in a mile or so.

These cold starts are hard on a vehicle (battery, starter), but you've done what you can (0W-20 oil) and you'll never notice the difference from a few weeks of cold weather.

Ecotourist

 

[Ken2]

Quote:
Your battery cannot deliver much current at those temperatures, so if you park outside at work consider idling your car for 10 or 15 min to warm the engine mid-day. (Or use your remote start if you have one)
Disagree. It does no good to warm the engine in mid-day for a late-day drive home. If it will even get warm. More likely it won't run fast enough to put the charge back into the battery that it took out to start the engine, and idling cold like this just sludges up things.

The other advice given above is good...start the car and as soon as it will run smoothly, drive it easy. The condition of your battery is important...how much cold cranking amps remain in the battery after the years you've owned it, not how much it had when it was new. Batteries deteriorate continuously until they do longer have the umph to start the engine, and it takes more umph in cold weather due to the battery's electro-chemical action being reduced in the temps and the oil, even thick oil, like glue. If your battery is on the edge, a trickle charter overnight might help. Or a new battery of good capacity.

If you'd be in the cold for more than a few days, the heaters and syn lubes in the power steering and transmission help, but not for just a coupl'a days. Check your tire pressure in this cold weather. Bring it up to the normal inflation pressure.