Starting a car in extremely cold weather thread

1. 2019-01-30 at 11:29 PM UTC

   #21
   The Self Taught Man Black Hole
   
2. 2019-01-30 at 11:37 PM UTC

   #22
   The Self Taught Man Black Hole
   Thanks AP.
   
   Dash came on fine this time, and she's definitely turning better, but still not very good. I think the battery just isn't warm enough to oomph it up and over yet.
   Unfortunately this is as warm as it gets today- negative fifteen with a -30 windchill. I'm sure the windchill has a lot to do with it too, as it turned just fine at -10 yesterday.
   
   Will be all the way up to -2 tomorrow, so it should be fine by then. Might turtle trot over to the gas station later and pick up some ether just in case the gas actually is gelled. May take a whiff as well to honor sploo while he's psych warded.
3. 2019-01-31 at 6:01 PM UTC

   #23
   The Self Taught Man Black Hole
   I think it's dead. Waited about 15 minutes before jumping it and almost nothing. Gonna get a new one probably and a bottle of heet. Thanks guys
4. 2019-01-31 at 6:29 PM UTC

   #24
   

   stl1 Cum Lickin' Fagit

   Originally posted by Archer513 Always turn your lights on in really cold weather before starting warms the battery up before the jolt of needing all the cranking amps.
   
   Keep your gas full. Less gelling
   
   You can hook your battery up to a tender in sub zero temps

   
   
   
   Clarification on the light thingy. Only turn on for a minute or so and then turn off (along with heater fan, radio, etc.) before cranking engine.
   
   
   Here's a link to Harbor Freight's automatic floating battery charger. It's only $9.99 but, if you can find a coupon, they are only $4.99. I have one on my riding lawn mower in my (usually) unheated garage and the mower starts right up in the spring. They won't charge a low battery, but will maintain a battery if it was charged when parked. You will need to run an extension cord to the engine compartment and remove the charger before driving. Easily done as the charger is tiny and only weighs ounces.
   
   https://www.harborfreight.com/automatic-battery-float-charger-69955.html
5. 2019-01-31 at 6:37 PM UTC

   #25
   The Self Taught Man Black Hole
   Man, it's times like this when I miss living close to my parent's farm. Dad has all kinds of heavy duty maintenance crap. Like, for instance, a battery charger big enough to charge tractors and a diesel pickup to for towing. Giant air compressor.
   
   By the way, it's annoying to me that most people outside of rural areas automatically think you're talking about a tractor trailer when you say "tractor", as in a John Deere, for example. Semi is a much better word.
6. 2019-01-31 at 6:40 PM UTC

   #26
   tee hee hee Naturally Camouflaged [slangily complete this slumberer]

   Originally posted by DietPiano Thanks AP.
   
   Dash came on fine this time, and she's definitely turning better, but still not very good. I think the battery just isn't warm enough to oomph it up and over yet.
   Unfortunately this is as warm as it gets today- negative fifteen with a -30 windchill. I'm sure the windchill has a lot to do with it too, as it turned just fine at -10 yesterday.
   
   Will be all the way up to -2 tomorrow, so it should be fine by then. Might turtle trot over to the gas station later and pick up some ether just in case the gas actually is gelled. May take a whiff as well to honor sploo while he's psych warded.

   
   Where do you live that there's such jumps in temps?
7. 2019-01-31 at 6:52 PM UTC

   #27
   The Self Taught Man Black Hole
   Minnesota. I use to live in Iowa where it literally went from 40 to 80 in 2 days sometimes. Happens a lot actually. at least its not -50 anymore, but it needs to warm up i got places to go.
8. 2019-01-31 at 7:31 PM UTC

   #28
   

   cupocheer Space Nigga [unwillingly condescend the dp]
   Place an electrical (plugged in and turned on, obviously) industrial drop cord, with a lightbulb cage on the end under the hood near the battery overnight.
9. 2019-01-31 at 7:36 PM UTC

   #29
   DrugSmuggler African Astronaut
   Sounds like a reasonable excuse to miss work
10. 2019-02-01 at 10:58 PM UTC

    #30
    

    cupocheer Space Nigga [unwillingly condescend the dp]
    There is no reasonable excuse to miss work, only concoctions.