Suggestions on preventing cold weather issues on our Volvo's

[IVIUSTANG]

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.

It all depends on the mixture, where I live; the freeze point is -40C/F which means it's 50% methanol and 50% water. Minus 14F isn't a huge deal for most cars, it was -39 here a day ago and I still didn't have any issues with my S70. Of course at -39C you must plug your cars blockheater in or protect it from the cold just to be able to start it. I have seen brake hoses get bulges in extreme cold, but once again, -14F barely qualifies.

Just baby your car when it is warming up, I have seen so many plastic and rubber pieces cracking causing coolant loss etc when a vehicle is driven hard cold.

- Jesse

[BEJinFbk]

Below zero, my rule of thumb is about one minute per degree.
I want this caR to last forever!

[FlyingVolvo]

x

[instarx]

NOt really a cold weather issue with Volvo, but a general cold weather hint: When I lived in the rockies I found the very best way to keep your windshield free of ice and snow was to not use the defrosters at all. In fact I blocked the vents with a towel to keep any heat off the window. The trick is to keep the glass as cold a possible so the snow doesn't melt on it but simply hits it and blows off. Doesn't work on slushy roads with cars in front of you though.

If you are in really cold weather keep an emergency kit in the car: candy bars, space blanket, kitty litter, small shovel, candles for heat, extra coat, socks, hat, mittens,etc. A candle and space blanket will keep you alive in almost any weather. The chemical hand and toe warmers they sell at REI are the same brand supplied by the US Antarctic Program and they work great for 6 - 8 hours inside mittens. They're cheap insurance and last for years until you open them.