Bitter Cold

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So, we get our fair share of cold temperatures where I live but tomorrow the high is supposed to be -2 with wind chills at -30 or something like that. I work tomorrow and my car will sit on an open lot for 12+ hours. I'm not used to such extreme cold - pardon my ignorance but should I be worried about my car starting at the end of my shift? Any tips from people who live in the northern US/Canada? We keep our cars well maintained and my car is a 2011. And the foot of snow falling today will probably keep a lot of people away so they will all come tomorrow - in addition to our normal crazy Monday volume (sigh)...

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

This happened to me on Thursday with -34 wind chill and it killed the battery despite being a 2011 car. next time I plan on starting the car a few times and make sure I have jump (booster) leads in the car

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Thank you Jesus we have a parking garage - the wind chill's going to be -40 here tomorrow night! The foot of blowing, drifting snow makes it extra nice...

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Specializes in Cath Lab & Interventional Radiology.

I usually pull through or back in my parking spot. This makes it easier to get a jump start if need be. Actually I think that wind chill only effects living things. Inanimate objects will only get as cool as the actual air temperature vs the "wind chill".

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I usually pull through or back in my parking spot. This makes it easier to get a jump start if need be. Actually I think that wind chill only effects living things. Inanimate objects will only get as cool as the actual air temperature vs the "wind chill".

I absolutely agree with you kylee. Wind chill is the perceived notion of temps being colder than they actually are. It does not affect cars. I live in the northeast, and the actual air temperature was 27 degrees below zero this past Saturday morning when I left for work. My car started and it is nine years old. I don't have a garage, and it is not equipped to be plugged in. I guess I don't worry about the temps too much. Because up here, cold weather is just a normal part of winter.

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Specializes in LTC.

Last week we had -20 before wind chill......it hasn't been that cold for a long, long time. Don't forget to pack extras in your car(blanket, gloves, hat) just in case you were to break down.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
Thank you for your response :). I was thinking that I might go start it in the middle of the shift. Just wish I had a remote starter.

Start it as often as you can. Every four hours at least.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
O.M.G. I live in south Florida and its currently 80 degrees outside. I cannot even imagine what I would do if the temp was below 0. I am so sorry!!

I cannot like your post. Cannot. Will not. ;)

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Tomorrow I'm going to be parking in some cold temps and I'm not looking forward to it either. It sounds like a good portion of the country is freezing so we are in good company. For those who are nice & warm.. Enjoy it for the rest of us.

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Yesterday I worked, and it was in the negative teens. Today, not working, it's in the negative twenties without the wind chill. It's so bad today that the governor of my state cancelled school in the whole state.

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Lol. You should be fine. Minus 38 Celcius right now here with a windchill of minus 53! My vehicle started fine after five hours.

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Actually, those constant cranks will wear your battery quickly. You must be driving @10 mins non-stop - keep those wheels turning - before any recharge can occur. So stop going out just to crank it and idle it.

Bottom line, if your battery is over 4 years old, you need to have it checked, like at an oil change. If its even sort of low, it will not be there for you at these temps that continue. If you have every bell and whistle on your car (electronics), you really need to check at the 3 year mark. Those accessories drain, drain drain your battery. Get a new battery.

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Specializes in Emergency Department; Neonatal ICU.

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone. My car made it through the day and is now safely ensconced back in the garage :). It's a balmy -2 F here...

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