C'mon people. You can't let this little cold-snap get you down. Several years back, but not that long ago (maybe 5 years), we had sub-zero temps here in Sault Ste. Marie for 2 months straight. We had frost go so deep into the ground that it burst water mains and sewers that were burried 4 feet deep. And my car started at -40. That's the coldest temp. I've personally experienced. We had -20 and below for days at a time that year. It hardly slowed us down at all.
Oh, and contrary to popular belief, you really don't need a block or radiator heater to keep your car starting in the very cold weather. That year with the 2 months of sub zero weather, many cars refused to start. I never had trouble with mine because I know something about batteries. I learned the info from working at a battery shop that sold all types for industrial use.
A client contacted us, requesting a battery pack that would start the company vehicles in - 50 degree weather. Our company's owner explained to the client that the chemical reactions that cause a battery to produce electricity would not work at that cold a temperature. In fact, lead-acid batteries become useless at -40. So How did I keep my car starting? I went outside every night at midnight, started my car and let it warm up completely. It held enough heat to keep the battery warm enough to start my car in the morning.
One evening, I forgot to start my car. Sure enough, like everyone else's car, mine wouldn't start. I removed the battery, brought it into the house and let it warm up. The outside temperature had not changed byt the time I put the battery back into the car. I turned the key and the engine turned over like it was a warm August day. So, rather than purchasing an expensive block or radiator heater, and paying someone a bunch of cash to install it, purchase an inexpensive heating pat and place it around your car's battery at night. It'll set you back much less money and give you much better results. A secret that the mechanic doesn't want you to know, from me to you.
I've camped out with my son and nephew, and with a group of boys from my church (I was the assistant young men's councillor at the time
) in sub-zero weather on multiple occasions, relying only on a tent and warm sleeping bag at night. We all faired just fine.
This bit of a snap isn't enough to test us yet. Hold your head up. I was out shoveling for about three hours today. The temperature was -7. I got so warm I had to take off my coat and replace it with a light jacket. I did have to keep my mittens on though, and my hat.
If you keep active, and don't let the cold weather slow you down, you really don't notice it. I used to sled in the nearby gravel pits as a kid, until my pants were frozen solid and the cuffs of my mittens were so packed with frozen ice that I couldn't get them off until the ice-ring melted. I never got frostbite from that. But I wasn't sitting still at all.
Now the time I rode a motor-cycle 80 miles on a forty-degree night, with no windshield, I shivered for an hour afterword. I was sitting in a brisk wind, not doing a lot of moving around. See the difference?
Surviving the cold is a matter of using your intelligence, and making the best of it. Cold doesn't have to stop you cold.
I crack myself up sometimes. Feel free to groan at the obvious pun.
Seeeeeya; Goodweed of the North
