1997 850 start in subzero temps?

davolvo · Post by **davolvo** » 05 Jan 2014, 09:01

We are going to have subzero weather today and tomorrow -14 (-30) with wind chill. Should I start my car a couple times during this time?

Post by **JRL** » 05 Jan 2014, 09:05

If you don't have to, I wouldn't

davolvo · Post by **davolvo** » 05 Jan 2014, 09:11

So would it be recommended seeing how I don't have to drive it, to just let it be until it gets warmer?

Post by **erikv11** » 05 Jan 2014, 09:27

Yep. It will sit through the cold just fine.

Startup can be stressful on a cold engine, getting the thick, cold oil up to the lifters and top end on the first few engine cycles. Let it sit if you don't need to use it.

davolvo · Post by **davolvo** » 05 Jan 2014, 09:34

ok, thank you I will get a ride to work. So what temps would be good to start it again

Ok, thank you so much. I told my boss if she wants me to work to pick me up. She has a 2013 Cadillac. I don't want to stress my car in these temps!

ChiNorm · Post by **ChiNorm** » 05 Jan 2014, 10:19

These cars are engineered in a land where much of the country is above the Arctic Circle. What you think of as cold is probably nothing to them.

My Volvos (4 total) have all started without problem in extremely cold weather, including once at 27* below farenheit.

Maintain your charging system, battery and car in general and you will have no problems. The proper grade of oil is also essential to cold weather starts.

Good luck.

Post by **JRL** » 05 Jan 2014, 10:28

No one said it won't start, everyone agrees it's not good for an engine unless the car has a block heater (which I'm sure he doesn't).
Cars that live in that climate are usually fitted with one
If there is no good reason to start it, you don't.... until it gets above freezing

Post by **jimmy57** » 05 Jan 2014, 10:37

davolvo wrote:ok, thank you I will get a ride to work. So what temps would be good to start it again

Ok, thank you so much. I told my boss if she wants me to work to pick me up. She has a 2013 Cadillac. I don't want to stress my car in these temps!

If you need to go somewhere then you start it and go. If you do not have to drive then there is no reason to start it as there is no benefit to just running it. In fact as already mentioned, there is likely more harm than good.

If you do need to start then crank it over for 5 or so seconds if it doesn't run immediately upon cranking.
The majority of towed in, no start cars in a severe cold wave are started by the techs with a jumper box and cranking it over long enough for it to clear the flooded condition from short burst start operation. SInce fuel injection systems deleted the single cold start injector the enrichment for cranking is done by having the injectors spray a lot of extra fuel on the first two operating cycles. If you crank it over in brief pulses you just keep adding those two fueling cycles without giving it a chance to fire and run.

If it is an option, then don't drive it until it is over 0F again.

IS the car garged?

davolvo · Post by **davolvo** » 05 Jan 2014, 11:09

No garage, but I have parked it in between my house and the neighbors with the front facing the east to try and protect it from the wind. I have no doubt it will start because it has been an AWESOME car throughout this Wisconsin winter. I just bought this car in November and have not really had the opportunity to get to know it under normal conditions. I absolutely love this style compared to the 96 960 I had, maybe I am just being over protective. Thanks for all of the input, I am so thankful for your knowledge, always have been!

ChiNorm · Post by **ChiNorm** » 06 Jan 2014, 13:40

After further consideration, if your car is well maintained, it is more likely to start in cold weather than a Caddy. You can then drive your boss to work.

Good luck.