**Shudder** (and shiver)

[Great_Big_Abyss]

So we're in the middle of one of the Prairie's infamous cold spells right now. The last few days have been about -25C to -30C (that's -15F to -22F to you Yanks!). Last night it went down to -41 with the windchill (that's -41.8F).

Anyway, my point is, I hope you fellows who live in warmer climes appreciate just how lucky you are to live where you do! Driving a vehicle in extreme cold is NOT fun. Should you EVER forget to plug in your truck at night (or during the day, even) your vehicle will probably NOT start when you need it.
Hell, my truck didn't even fully warm up on my way to work this morning. And I have a 25 minute drive, mostly country highway!!! Just the amount of air coming through the grille and dumping itself on the block was enough to keep my 4.0L from reaching full operating temperature. I guess I'll have to throw some cardboard behind my grille.

But the wierdest thing? Well, I'd have to say its the transfer case and the differential. At these temperatures, the fluids in them turn into something akin to refrigerated molasses. Driving through my parking lot, as soon as I let off the gas my truck slows down as if I'm applying the brakes - just because of the viscosity of those fluids. I hate to think of my fuel economy in those first few minutes of driving. Cold engine, cold transmission, transfer case and diff fluids.... Oh well, that's the price to pay for... what, exactly? Why the hell would anyone live in a climate such as this?????

And the worst part? We don't even have any snow. Not even an inch on the ground. This would be all good if I could at least throw it in 4x4 and go slogging through some backroads. At least I'm not a sledhead. I bet those guys are crying right about now. But his year, no snow so far. And those lucky guys in southern Ontario/North Eastern US get 14 inches.... sigh.

And my point? Climate Change SUCKS!!!!!!!

/Rant over.

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

I thought you were supposed to run a lower viscosity oil in cold climates?
When I worked on the North Slope in Alaska we ran a 75-90wt gear oil in the difs and a multi vis in the transfer on our trucks.

 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Technically, yes. But then I'd have to change fluids every spring and autumn. Summers here get nice and hot (oh yeah...THAT's why we live here). So I just run medium viscosity year round.

 

[exbass94]

Use synthetics. They flow much better in cold weather AND give high temperature protection.

I use 0w-30 oil in my engine and 75w-90 in my diffs. Summers around here can get into the 90s. I run these fluids year round.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEhahahahahahahahaha......

I live in northern Ontario....we got the 20+cm of snow yesterday and I LOVE IT!!! best part is...it's not nearly as cold!

Sorry...had to post this

 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEhahahahahahahahaha......

I live in northern Ontario....we got the 20+cm of snow yesterday and I LOVE IT!!! best part is...it's not nearly as cold!

Sorry...had to post this

When I was a kid we lived in Atlantic Canada. THAT was fun. It's never went below -10C and we always got TONS of snow. That, in my mind is the perfect winter!!!

 

['99 EB Explorer]

Most definitely. It's hovering around -5 to -15 here now and for the rest of the week. The sledheads were out in droves lastnight! lol

 

[LearjetMinako]

Switch to a synthetic oil through out the drivetrain.

 

[martin]

Don't you just love it. you start it (hopefully) and the oil in the transmission is so thick that you can't let the clutch out or it will stall the motor. mmm should have scraped the crap off the windows before trying to start it I guess. Heck to this, time to hybernate.

 

[Dweano]

Haha I couldn't agree more, But I'm thankful for the lack of snow. My trucks not running! I want to get it going before the snow comes so i can have some fun. Also...try working in this weather. I usually work 2 in the afternoon til after 12 at night...by twelve at night it gets really frickin cold. Cold just sucks energy outta me. I hate working in it

 

[country0001]

And people around here gripe about the 20's. I couldn't make it north of Kansas. Ya'll can have it up there.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

First time I changed my brakes and front bearings on my old '93 ranger was in a temporary tarp garage and it was -35. Try packing bearings with a bare hand full of grease at that temp. BRRR!!!

 

[LearjetMinako]

And people around here gripe about the 20's. I couldn't make it north of Kansas. Ya'll can have it up there.

20's. It was 13*F at 230 this morning at Tinker AFB. I don't care for the cold. But dang it, if it is going to be cold, I want chaos. Let there be freezing rain, ice, snow, maybe a good blizzard for good measure.

 

[flyingbrick]

Thats just cause you have the wussy 4L I have yet to plug in my truck. But in the end cold is good for my work(we clean up fire/water damage).

 

[Shran]

I hear ya. It has been somewhere between -11 and a few degrees above here for the last week, with windchill of about -25. We have about two inches of snow. Supposedly this is not supposed to last, and we will end up with a mild, dry winter. No complaints from me.