I lived in
northernWest Germany in the 80's. Every car I knew had a block heater in it. You oil would freeze in the case if you didn't keep it plugged in. In the military we kept the vehicles running when overnight predicted temps were > -40f. One Feb. our high for the day got all the way to -15f. BRRRRRRRRR. F...in Brrrrrrrrrr.
On this side of the water the worst thing that I ever ran into was my own stupidity.
I took a trip north to visit my Mom (in the Poconos). Feb. 1989. In Rich. Va. temps were ~ 40f.
I drove a 1974 Mercury Capri, (Germ. Import, 2.0L4, 5spd, ran great, got killed by a Buick, man I miss that car. ). Some Dumass didn't put antifreeze in the cooling system. Hi my name is Dumass.
Moms overnight temps were in the -10f range.
Car wouldn't start, engine was locked up.
Who woulda thought?
Dad had a torpedo style kerosene heater, we aimed it at the front of the car and let it do it's job.
An hour later the car started and seemed to suffer no Ill effects.
That little car got incredible mileage for what it was.
It always ran, unless it was frozen.
I miss that car.
S.