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From: goodwin@ncr-tp.UUCP (Tom Goodwin)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Cars in Very Cold Weather
Message-ID: <124@ncr-tp.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 23-Jan-85 14:13:01 EST
Article-I.D.: ncr-tp.124
Posted: Wed Jan 23 14:13:01 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 25-Jan-85 21:34:31 EST
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> 	Anyway, my question concerns the behavior of cars in extremely cold
> weather.  I know something about the general characteristics of matter as
> the temperature is decreased (some stuff freezes, some stuff gets very 
> viscous, metals contract, and so forth), but I'm particularly interested
> in what happens specifically to cars.  I found that my car won't start, and
> I've had to walk home for several days now.  This is when I need to use my
> car the most!!! 
> 

    Though not bothered by this sort of thing in San Diego,  I know the 
two main problems with cold starting are:  1. thick oil, if you can get
5W30 oil you should try it in the winter, otherwise 10W30.  2. the other
problem is that batteries lose a substantial portion of thier power in
very cold weather(up to 50%?) so that a battery which starts your car on
a warm day won't make it in the cold.  One help is to always carry a can
of starting fluid(available in many stores).  The starting fluid is sprayed
into the carburator after taking the air filter cover off.  The fluid is
basically ether, which catches fire more easily than gasoline.