Cold Weather Prep, Pronto
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cold Weather Prep, Pronto
It might hit 20 below zero tonight and I have to be on the road early tomorrow morning to go to school. I'm a little worried about my truck starting just because of the cold. Should I be concerned and what can I do to make sure that it'll start right up?
If I leave the tractor out of the barn after plowing the road today, then I could park the tacoma inside with a spaceheater under the engine. I'm sure that that would do the trick, but I'd like to find other solutions so I don't have to shuffle parking spots every time it gets cold.
I'm pretty sure my battery is strong because I haven't had any trouble starting in temperatures around +20, but it's a few years old and the cold will certainly exacerbate any weakness it has.
I've got Rain-X wiper fluid in the reservoir, which says it won't ice up above 0 degrees. Should I worry about it freezing, expanding, and busting stuff?
Should I look at buying an engine heater for the future? I don't think I can get one before tonight.
Thanks in advance for your sage advice.
If I leave the tractor out of the barn after plowing the road today, then I could park the tacoma inside with a spaceheater under the engine. I'm sure that that would do the trick, but I'd like to find other solutions so I don't have to shuffle parking spots every time it gets cold.
I'm pretty sure my battery is strong because I haven't had any trouble starting in temperatures around +20, but it's a few years old and the cold will certainly exacerbate any weakness it has.
I've got Rain-X wiper fluid in the reservoir, which says it won't ice up above 0 degrees. Should I worry about it freezing, expanding, and busting stuff?
Should I look at buying an engine heater for the future? I don't think I can get one before tonight.
Thanks in advance for your sage advice.
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Halifax, NS
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's been that cold for the past few days in these parts. The battery didn't like it too much, but the truck fired up like a champ. Take the precautionary measures others have listed here, and also let it warm up to operation temperature before driving it. That will let the tranny oil warm up a little bit too. The engine isn't the only thing that gets cold, afterall...
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Denver, Co
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just be kind to your motor when you start it. It may take a few seconds to start, the starter may sound a little bogged down. Once it starts do not rev it up very high, your oil is very cold and not flowing well, so there may not be much oil in the top end. After a couple of minutes, the oil will be flowing well. The magnetic heater will help immensely for keeping the oil warm. Your heater will not blow as much warm air as it will at 20 above. If you want it to work better, you can put cardboard in front of most of your radiator. Personally I would not worry about that, just keep the cabin air on outside, not recirculating (keeps the windows frost free). I grew up in Alaska, and there you need to winterize the vehicle. When I am staying over night in Winter Park, I am not to concerned about it.
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Halifax, NS
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Link
Something like this will help too, as has been mentioned here. Like you said though, you don't have all that much time though. This does require draining your coolant... I've been putting off getting one for my 4runner...
Something like this will help too, as has been mentioned here. Like you said though, you don't have all that much time though. This does require draining your coolant... I've been putting off getting one for my 4runner...
#10
Hey green,
Here is the thread of the guy selling the block heater, for future use, since you've already had your -20 morning...anyway, thought I would link for you.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f180/fs-3-4l-block-heater-92761/
Here is the thread of the guy selling the block heater, for future use, since you've already had your -20 morning...anyway, thought I would link for you.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f180/fs-3-4l-block-heater-92761/
#11
Contributing Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Summit County, Colorado
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've had my Yota since '91, here it Summit County.
The steps that I have always used on both my truck and my car is to use an Optima battery (they aren't as affected by cold as a standard style), Mobil 1 0W-20 oil in the winter (doesn't turn to molasses in the cold), and Peak or Prestone de-icing wiper fluid.
I've never had any kind of heater on them, and they live outside, since I don't have a garage. The combination above has never left me stranded - they always start right up. And, yes, I do see -20* and lower pretty frequently over the course of a winter up here.
The steps that I have always used on both my truck and my car is to use an Optima battery (they aren't as affected by cold as a standard style), Mobil 1 0W-20 oil in the winter (doesn't turn to molasses in the cold), and Peak or Prestone de-icing wiper fluid.
I've never had any kind of heater on them, and they live outside, since I don't have a garage. The combination above has never left me stranded - they always start right up. And, yes, I do see -20* and lower pretty frequently over the course of a winter up here.
#13
Contributing Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Summit County, Colorado
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Truck is not quite ready to start, yet - I'm finishing my 3.4 conversion (hopefully, next week)
Car started just fine, although it had to warm up a bit for the amplifier to make the radio work! It hit about -25*F or so last night.
Car started just fine, although it had to warm up a bit for the amplifier to make the radio work! It hit about -25*F or so last night.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kawazx636
The Classifieds GraveYard
34
10-06-2021 03:03 PM
83yotastockR
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
11
11-10-2015 06:54 AM
bryan34w
Buying & Selling Advice - Feeler/Gauging Interest
12
09-30-2015 02:50 PM