Quote:
Originally Posted by USTraveler
I think there are a lot of people that live in the Northern half of the Continent that might question whether starting a dead cold engine is harmful. I believe the engines are designed to operated in even the coldest climates and I have started various cars and trucks routinely at temps considerably below zero, even if the vehicles sat outside all the time. I have not experienced any major issues. It is important to maintain the vehicles as appropriate for the climate however.
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I lived in northern and central New Hampshire for sixty years and have dealt with starting vehicles that were left out for extended periods of time in below zero weather. Even when multi viscosity oil became available, starters, solenoids, and batteries struggled to turn the engines over fast enough to get them to start. I've used dip stick heaters, block heaters, light bulbs, heat lamps, covered engines with heavy canvas, and I even brought batteries in the house for the night in order to get the vehicle started in the morning. Starting a dead cold engine requires a tremendous amount of battery amperage and it takes time for the oil to flow over some of the moving parts. Idling a vehicle will not boil moisture from the oil and it can accumulate over time if the engine is not run on the road long enough for the moisture to boil off. I say do not start an engine in the winter unless the vehicle has to be driven a considerable distance.
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