(no subject)

[morgaina]

Lots of winter weather entries in LJ this week.
My latest winter weather is that I didn't sleep well because I was worried the car wouldn't start because of bad weather. It was so cold last night I left the faucets dripping, and fussed with the car as I could, but there wasn't much I could do. The last two oil dipstick heaters I bought didn't work worth $#@&, and taking the battery into the house then re-installing it is awful on so many levels.
But, it did turn over this morning and is warming up now.
Hey, that means no excuse for missing work :-< !

Any suggestions for keeping cars going gratefully accepted.
Yes, I should know how, I've been living here all my life, but my best solution was always phoning Dad.

Comments

[pandorasbox.livejournal.com]

it got down to -37c last night (wind chill). That works out to about OMFG that is COLD

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Awful!
Take care of yourself.

[pandorasbox.livejournal.com]

oh it is Canada, they are much better equiped to handle the snow & ice. Also driving my Boyfriend's Big ass truck helps. but as cold as it is here, I would not trade it for the crap in seattle now

[whackychick.livejournal.com]

Hi! Block heaters are your friend!! I have a "character" vehicle myself (1986 Dodge Aries) and anything lower than -20ish and he is reluctant to start, so I plug 'em in at night and the heater keeps the important bits warm enough. I strongly suspect that block heaters are pretty darn inexpensive but don't know for sure.

Hugs! Keep warm!!

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

I think ya'll have convinced me block heaters are the way to go.
I value my Canadian friends knowledge of how to survive and thrive in the cold.
(I am reluctant to start at those temps too)

[the-thread-lady.livejournal.com]

Block heaters! They install on the water system, in-line on one of the hoses.

I had one when I lived in eastern WA, near Wenatchee. Installed it myself. One winter night I forgot to plug it in. There was insufficent anti-freeze and the water in my engine turned to icy slush. It took the block heater all day, but it thawed things out and saved my engine.

[freewaydiva.livejournal.com]

If I could give you the block heater out of Stella, I would.

Plugging my car in seemed so goofy when I was in Cow Town, but probably saved me from undue angst and mockery. Totally worth researching, living where you do.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Thanks Hon.
Angst and mockery, two common themes of my life ;-)

[hrollaug.livejournal.com]

Block heaters work, the problem with a block heater is you have to have them professionally installed, since they fit into a soft-plug in your engine block.

Tank heaters are easier to install, they go into one of the water lines. Thus, like a block heater, they warm the water (rather then the oil, like a dip-stick heater)

If the battery is losing power, a bare incandescent bulb, set near the battery handles that.

Back when I lived in Montana, I would sometimes use a tank (or block heater), plus a light, plus a dip-stick heater in the transmission. I needed the transmission warm as I could not shift the trany when it was that cold. Otherwise I had to leave the transmission in the gear I planned to start in.

I really don't miss highs of -40, not at all.

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Thanks Ralg,
I'm going to contact my mechanic about that as soon as the flurry of this week is over.
I appreciate you sharing your experiences with Montana winters.