Warming up your car (Anchorage, Fairbanks: house, air pollution, transportation)

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

Can't wait for tis' one...
Buckle in, Danny boy!

I hope it snows a ton...Last year was fun...

[RayinAK]

Around 15 minutes when around -15, and that's when the car is plugged to the electrical outlet in the parking lot. If colder than that, 25 minutes at least will bring the temperature inside the car warm enough for you not to start shivering. If -40 or so, perhaps 45 minutes just so. If -65 or colder outside, then I would suggest that you don't turn the engine off for long periods of time. In fact, if driving when the ambient temperature is around -65, the heater blows what feels like warm air, just hot enough for keeping you from freezing. The windows will be covered with ice or frozen condensation in the cab.

Also, from around -45 and colder, it's very common to have belts on the motor breaking, and CV-joint boots cracking. A serpentine belt is a nasty one when it snaps, because of all the components it takes out of the system. Around -45 and colder you will be surrounded by ice fog, and visibility may be enough to see the rear-drive lights of the car ahead of you. Also you will have to drive through a foggy rooster tail from the vehicle ahead of you-if you get too close.

At -45 and colder, you can step outdoors with a cup of water, toss the water in the air, and by the time it hits the ground it will be frozen.

[Arcticthaw]

This is where the true definenition of V8 comes into play.... 4 cylinders to go down the road and 4 to make HEAT!

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Arcticthaw

This is where the true definenition of V8 comes into play.... 4 cylinders to go down the road and 4 to make HEAT!

That's true. A big motor should help tonight and tomorrow night, since the predictions are for -35 to -45.

[Arcticthaw]

Nights like this I miss the 460 in the old truck I had. The new truck just doesn't make the heat at idle like I would like. Think the thermostat may be sticking.

[mal_flisk]

-11 right here in Anchorage right now. Bad day to offload modules

[Metlakatla]

33 above and snowing to beat the band.

[alaskarain]

By the time it takes me to clean the snow off my car good, my defrosters usually have my car warmed up good. Usually 15 minutes I'd say but I clean the snow off my car thoroughly because once you gain speed and it can blind who ever is behind you and cause of wreck. Its turned out to be one of my biggest pet peeves here now from those who don't bother.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

33 above and snowing to beat the band.

You must be getting the storm that we had last night, a nasty one...
The wind's a killer- make sure to tie down or bring inside any lawn ornaments/furnature, kayaks, skiffs, etc if you haven't already. Have fun with that one.

[Metlakatla]

I'm hoping it lasts for another couple of weeks so I can lay up in Ketchikan and get paid for it.