R50/53 Extreme cold temp. report
#1
Extreme cold temp. report
The over night lows here are hitting -30F and with the windchill it feels like
-45F
But it's a dry cold,humidity is around 40%.
My MC starts every time,first time,with no block heater.I do have a trickle charger that plugs into the cig. lighter,keeps the battery topped up,and warm.
I make sure I turn off everything at shut down,heater fan,radio,and that the e-brake is on,so the DRLs are off.I find it cranks alittle slower than normal,but catches everytime.Idle is rougher than normal for about 15 seconds.Then it levels out at about 1200RPM,I hold the clutch in for about 30 seconds or so,the car stalled once last winter after I let the clutch out to fast, the tranny oil is thick at these temps.Then I slowly let the clutch out and keep the idle up till the pedal is fully released,it is a bit noisy,but that goes away after things start moving.Then I turn on the heater fan,seat heat,never use high setting,rear defog,and the AC to dry the air to help clear the windows.At these temps. I let the car warm up for between 5-10 min.But I have driven away once I,m buckled up,and the car just drives away.
Now I do keep revs below 3000RPM until the car is up to normal operating temp.
The Pirelli Snowcontrols don't seem to get "square wheel" as bad as the all seasons I ran last winter,could be that they run at 44PSI.
The cockpit is very warm,all the windows are clear,and the little guy still goes like snot:smile:
Now there are a few new rattles,but at these temps. I rattle too.
But with the heater blasting,radio going over that,not to mention paying attention to the ice and snow,I don't really hear them.
The MPG tank at these temps. I fill my tank at 1/2 empty normally,and I usually go 400KMs by then.At these temps I get between 300-325KMs at 1/2 a tank.Warm-up,wheel spin,and plowing through snow play into this,but the cold temps cause bearings to freeze up,and I'm sure that it is harder for the car to run at these temps period.
This car works great at these temps,and I feel safe on my hour highway commute in it
-45F
But it's a dry cold,humidity is around 40%.
My MC starts every time,first time,with no block heater.I do have a trickle charger that plugs into the cig. lighter,keeps the battery topped up,and warm.
I make sure I turn off everything at shut down,heater fan,radio,and that the e-brake is on,so the DRLs are off.I find it cranks alittle slower than normal,but catches everytime.Idle is rougher than normal for about 15 seconds.Then it levels out at about 1200RPM,I hold the clutch in for about 30 seconds or so,the car stalled once last winter after I let the clutch out to fast, the tranny oil is thick at these temps.Then I slowly let the clutch out and keep the idle up till the pedal is fully released,it is a bit noisy,but that goes away after things start moving.Then I turn on the heater fan,seat heat,never use high setting,rear defog,and the AC to dry the air to help clear the windows.At these temps. I let the car warm up for between 5-10 min.But I have driven away once I,m buckled up,and the car just drives away.
Now I do keep revs below 3000RPM until the car is up to normal operating temp.
The Pirelli Snowcontrols don't seem to get "square wheel" as bad as the all seasons I ran last winter,could be that they run at 44PSI.
The cockpit is very warm,all the windows are clear,and the little guy still goes like snot:smile:
Now there are a few new rattles,but at these temps. I rattle too.
But with the heater blasting,radio going over that,not to mention paying attention to the ice and snow,I don't really hear them.
The MPG tank at these temps. I fill my tank at 1/2 empty normally,and I usually go 400KMs by then.At these temps I get between 300-325KMs at 1/2 a tank.Warm-up,wheel spin,and plowing through snow play into this,but the cold temps cause bearings to freeze up,and I'm sure that it is harder for the car to run at these temps period.
This car works great at these temps,and I feel safe on my hour highway commute in it
#6
Hi Lot. As an almost neighbor of yours...GF ND: I have a question about these extreme temps. I got the chrono pack as an option and in this cold it shows oil pressure pinning the needle (70psi) for the first 30 minutes or so. Does this seem normal!!?? I know elevated psi is to be expected when we are in such cold but pinning the needle!!??
#7
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#8
#10
Originally Posted by NoDak Pat
Hi Lot. As an almost neighbor of yours...GF ND: I have a question about these extreme temps. I got the chrono pack as an option and in this cold it shows oil pressure pinning the needle (70psi) for the first 30 minutes or so. Does this seem normal!!?? I know elevated psi is to be expected when we are in such cold but pinning the needle!!??
Anyone else know what is going on with this.
#13
#14
Originally Posted by lot15
...But I thought that was because the oil got thicker in the cold,and the synthetic we run in our MINIs should not get thick...
In fact, the day of your cold weather report, my Mini wouldn't start at all! With no block heater, I was left with no recourse but to flatbed it to a heated shop for over $100 .
#15
Well my MINI has the synthetic oil from BMW in it,5w30 I think.The synthetic oil should not get thick,so if the car does not start,it may be a battery issue.Make sure you turn everything off at shut down,even the radio,and get in and close the door so the interior lights go out,and make sure the e-brake is on,so that the DRLs do not come on when you turn the key.Turn the key so all the warning lights come on and wait till the ABS and ASC or DSC lights go out,by then the fuel pump will have primed the injectors,then crank it.
Why did you have to pay for a tow,MINI roadside should cover that?
There is a block heater from MINI up here,the part is $80 and the install is about $180 CND.I'm getting a new tranny next week,so I'm going to see if the install will be cheaper.Get a trickle charger for the battery,I got mine from MINI,plugs into the cig. lighter,keeps the battery topped up and warm.
I have a 50 mile commute on the highway,so my battery is fully charged at shut down.If you start and turn off the car alot,with short drives in the city the battery will not charge as much.
Why did you have to pay for a tow,MINI roadside should cover that?
There is a block heater from MINI up here,the part is $80 and the install is about $180 CND.I'm getting a new tranny next week,so I'm going to see if the install will be cheaper.Get a trickle charger for the battery,I got mine from MINI,plugs into the cig. lighter,keeps the battery topped up and warm.
I have a 50 mile commute on the highway,so my battery is fully charged at shut down.If you start and turn off the car alot,with short drives in the city the battery will not charge as much.
#16
Great news about the block heater Lot..I assume you mean in Winnipeg? I'll be checking on that. When I ordered my car I asked about block heaters and my MA said none are made or needed. She said she tested Minis with no block heaters in the Arctic Circle and they started every time .
She also wanted my money.
BTW on the oil gauge thing...I'm beginning to suspect that I'm just a victim of ordering the chrono pack and now since all these gauges are in the center speedo position and BIG...and I watch them all the time that maybe a little paranoia is settling in. Maybe this weekend I'll just watch the road.
She also wanted my money.
BTW on the oil gauge thing...I'm beginning to suspect that I'm just a victim of ordering the chrono pack and now since all these gauges are in the center speedo position and BIG...and I watch them all the time that maybe a little paranoia is settling in. Maybe this weekend I'll just watch the road.
#18
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