Cold Weather Car Start

[airplanerik]

I have been thinking about bringing a car with me when I come to UND this summer and for the rest of the time I am at the school. I was just wondering what the situation is like when it gets REALLY cold in the winter, and cars do not want to start. Is there anything you need to do to your car to help it start up in cold weather? Is it a problem for any of you? My car is a 93' Camry. It runs well and starts strong here in CA, but I don't know how it would do in ND.

[UAL747400]

I'd get a 1000 amp battery. (evil face) At zero it cranks 750 amps. I havent had a problem at all.

I also have a jump pack that I can use if my car chooses not to start. Dont get the wussy ones they sell here. Order a good one. You'll be set.

Tom

Thats probably the best suggestion if your going to live in the dorms...no places to plug in there. When you decide to get your own place, most of the apartment complexes around here have plug ins for block heaters.

Got one put in on my car over X-mas break and as long as I remember to plug it in, havn't had any probs at all.

[Foxcow]

I second the vote for block heater. Your car wont start without it.

[UAL747400]

I had no problem on that day it was -25 or what ever. Thinner oil, and a good battery are all you really need. But yeah, a block heater helps a ton as well.

[JaceTheAce]

Get a block heater. They are only $50-100 depending on where you go and it will help prolong the life of your car. I have a 2000 Honda Civic and it started in -39 degrees no problem when I was at a party, but probably knocked off a few 1,000 miles of it's life doing it! So I got a block heater and use it in my garage, even though the garage is always 15 degrees warmer than the outside. Your Camry's timing belt will love your block heater too. Going from extreme cold to normal operating temp (if your car can even get up to normal op temp!) will cause extended wear on the timing belt and cause it to crack.... then you got a big engine problem.