Suggestions on preventing cold weather issues on our Volvo's

Post by **bronxnativ** » 02 Feb 2011, 08:33

Gentlemen,

It's currently 14 degrees BELOW zero here in Denver, Colorado (Matthew1 can vouch for that) and I'm concerned about my 850. Haven't started it yet but for my future reference, what suggestions can you offer to prevent engine/cooling related issues with this type of bitterly cold weather? (example gas line anti-freeze, etc..)

Thanks!

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 02 Feb 2011, 08:53

Not sure if this is what you are looking for.......

Correct grade oil is always a good idea.
Battery jacket?
Keep gas tank as close to full as possible to keep moisture out?
Not sure about gas "anti-freeze". Flash point is -97F so that shouldnt be an issue.
Sump heater?
Decent washer fluid (ie not the blue stuff).
There is a volvo "approved" radiator cover available.
Keep blankets in the car just in case

Post by **jblackburn** » 02 Feb 2011, 09:24

It's kind of funny actually, but these Swedish cars actually love the cold and run better when it's really cold - my Saab was the same way.

Having a good, new-ish battery is very important for when it gets really cold, as its cranking capacity is greatly diminished. Likewise, a thin oil (5W) will keep your engine lubricated from a cold start.

When it's snowy/icy around here I keep a bag of salt and some cardboard in the trunk just in case I get stuck and can't get traction. Never happened in this car, but I've had enough bad experiences before.

Hopefully it'll warm up for you guys soon - Mr Phil saw his shadow today

Post by **bronxnativ** » 02 Feb 2011, 09:40

Thank you gentlemen!!!!
Exactly what I was looking for. Appreciate your input and advice. Man, what would we do without the knowledgeable and great people on this forum??? I'm a member of two other forums (an Audi and BMW forum) and they do not compare with the courteous and friendly assistance that we receive here! I personally appreciate ALL who have assisted me!!!

Post by **matthew1** » 02 Feb 2011, 09:53

Bronx, it's funny you should bring this up. Just yesterday my 850's side mirrors froze in place. Wouldn't move. But that was my only complaint, and I didn't actually spend the 40 seconds it would have taken to investigate or free them. The rest of the car worked fine, including the outside temp gauge which read "0" Fahrenheit at 2pm in Denver yesterday. And the seat warmer.

After she was warm, she pulled like a banshee when I had dry pavement and no traffic. All that cold makes the air molecules move more slowly, making air denser, which makes more power in our engines.

I have new 10W-30 semi-synth/filter in her. Coolant flushed in Fall 2007, which was only 12k-ish miles ago.

Thanks for the tips, guys. If this cold streak doesn't snap, I'll take you up on those. Problem is, Denver and all of Colorado usually gets just as hot as it was cold not long after the fact

.

(I still have the thermostat from my 850 Thermostat Replacement back in 2002, so I'm asking for trouble there.)

Post by **JRL** » 02 Feb 2011, 10:10

Cheap "blue stuff" works just fine

Post by **vjaneczko** » 02 Feb 2011, 11:24

jablackburn wrote: Mr Phil saw his shadow today

It just doesn't matter at the moment . . .

Post by **jblackburn** » 02 Feb 2011, 11:37

LOL.

It's 52 and sunny here - a nice change from being sacked by everything else - the storm mostly missed Virginia this time.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 02 Feb 2011, 12:05

JRL wrote:Cheap "blue stuff" works just fine

Weird....Its always frozen for me at some point (regardless of car) and when its on the edge of freezing in the tank it then freezes on the screen. Ive started to use the yellow stuff, has never frozen in either situation and its nice and viscous compared to the blue stuff.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 02 Feb 2011, 13:38

Color means nothing for windshield washer fluid.
Go by the low temp rating for that particular product.

I run Mobil 1 5w30 year round ( But it IS Alaska...)
Around here, synthetic in everything makes a huge difference for cold starts.
I have it in the block, the tranny, the BG, the rear diff and even the P/S.

A small maintenence charger is preferred here over a battery blanket.
Many use a silicone heat pad UNDER the battery. The general opinion
of blankets here is that they're a waste of time and money...

Volvo can supply you with a bolt on heater that attaches to the block
just below the turbo. ( ABSOLUTELY a "warm garage" job! )
They install pretty easily from underneath, so get out the jack stands.
There is no "freeze plug" heater made for these cars that I've found.
I supplement that heater with silicone pads on the oil pan and transmission.
But again, that's a -50 thing...

I've always been a big believer in cardboard in front of the radiator when
it drops below zero. The plastic and vinyl fronts out there just don't get it.
They just block the opening in the grill. Plenty of cold still runs though the rad.
The V70 makes cardboard nearly impossible, so I've adopted a plastic speed
clamp on the upper rad hose as my solution for getting more coolant through
the heater core. ( Just Don't Forget to remove it when things warm up!

)

Coolant? 50/50.
Heet for the gasline? I've never needed it with the V70. The fuel system is pretty tight.
But keeping the tank above half is a good habit. Especially if you may find yourself stuck!

A good stash of warm clothes, some snacks, a fully charged phone and a charging cord.
I usually have a sleeping bag and a butane torch for really long trips. And a shovel and
a bag of rock salt, kitty litter, gravel, whatever can get you moving again.

And in really crappy weather, file a "flight plan" with somebody. May save your life...

Stay Warm!