HostelofMaine t1_j6lfutp wrote on January 31, 2023 at 3:50 AM

Reply to comment by k_mainer in I get to experience -30 degrees for the first time this coming Saturday. Do I need to be concerned with my well freezing? It’s a standard drilled well with casing and cap. Any advise from my northern friends? Thanks! by MicasNoggin

>Also, even if you aren’t planning to go anywhere, start your vehicle and let it run for 15 minutes or so every day

Why?

3490goat t1_j6lk47q wrote on January 31, 2023 at 4:26 AM

It recharges the battery and moves the oils and fluid around. So I’ve been told by people who live in Minnesota and that’s just what they do

HostelofMaine t1_j6mz7oo wrote on January 31, 2023 at 2:09 PM

Huh.. I'd strongly recommend not starting your car if you don't need to. Cars accumulate most of their wear during cold starts, and significantly more so during these kinds of temps. The oil won't adequately warm up by just idling unless you did so for an hour or so (coolant warms up significantly faster). Also, starting a car when a battery is very cold is going to wear out the battery much more than letting it sit and warm back up after the cold spell. The absolute best thing you could do would be to put your battery on a tender/charger. Also make sure your coolant is topped off and is at least 50% coolant (freezing point -36F).

If you do have to go somewhere during a point where it's in the negative teens or lower, I would recommend a short warm-up period (which is not normally necessary even in cold weather).

AEKDBull t1_j6lk3lz wrote on January 31, 2023 at 4:26 AM

At Zero degrees, a battery has about 70% of its starting power

At -30 degrees, a battery has about 20% of its starting power

Also, the amount of power needed to crank an engine increases as the temperature drops. Will just leaving your car in the cold have little to no impact, yeah probably, but if you need it it's best to have been prepared by having the engine and battery warmed up.