Video: The Joys of Driving a Geo Metro in -31*C Temperatures

[igo]

I laughed when I saw the wipers go. I honestly think that my Saturn wouldn't do much better in those type of temperatures.

[tasdrouille]

I've got to make a video of the TDI next time it gets down to -30 around here and I did'nt plug it in. A couple weeks ago I was on 5W40 when we hit -28C (no windchill...). It cranked half a turn and started like a champ, but man did it coughed till I was out of the parking lot. It might get easier since I switched to 0W40 last week, but I'd bet it would still be interesting to watch.

As for the metro, there is way too much cooling power in this little thing. Even my TDI, which probably doesn't generate as much heat as the metro's engine, will heat up in 10 minutes at 2500 rpm without a grill block.

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by tasdrouille

I've got to make a video of the TDI next time it gets down to -30 around here and I did'nt plug it in. A couple weeks ago I was on 5W40 when we hit -28C (no windchill...). It cranked half a turn and started like a champ, but man did it coughed till I was out of the parking lot.

I remember a post where you mentioned this! I wonder what a diesel sounds like when it's super cold (I hear they're much more difficult to start than their gasoline counterparts).

As for the metro, there is way too much cooling power in this little thing. Even my TDI, which probably doesn't generate as much heat as the metro's engine, will heat up in 10 minutes at 2500 rpm without a grill block.

Definitely. I think the Geo is the only car I've owned where it's operating temperature will never be achieved at idle. In comparison, my old '85 Fiero with its 2.5L 4 cylinder would be pumping heat before I even got off of campus grounds.

Maybe the Geo just needs a nice pot-belly stove with a chimney .

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by igo

I laughed when I saw the wipers go. I honestly think that my Saturn wouldn't do much better in those type of temperatures.

You must've driven your saturn at temps like that at some point considering you're from Pittsburgh, right? Have you experienced the same thing?

[igo]

Yeah, it was +3 F today (probably the coldest day of the year). In 15 minuets it was a little under the 1/4 mark. When I would eoc in cold temps the car would lose some of its heat.

Nothing like the -20s you Canadians have

[tasdrouille]

Originally Posted by Peakster

I remember a post where you mentioned this! I wonder what a diesel sounds like when it's super cold (I hear they're much more difficult to start than their gasoline counterparts).

Actually, my TDI never took more than a crank turn to start even unplugged. When it's really cold I give it 2 glow plugs cycles before I start it. It runs rough, but it runs. That was not the case of my previous 91 TD. I remember a couple of times when I had to crank it for a good 10 to 15 seconds and it would half start and I would keep cranking swearing at it. Those were the good ol days...lol...heck it even had a "choke" handle!!

[tasdrouille]

It was -20 C this morning and I made a little vid. I'll post it tonight.

[metroschultz]

I read what you guys have to say and am a little more glad to live south of the Mason Dixon.
On the ocean near the Gulf Stream.
Much closer to work. (I used to commute 250 miles round trip.)
Carpooling and savin' even more gas.

check out this link. (WARNING, adult content)


http://ourlighterside.com/stuff/reasonwarmclimate/


I thought this might warm your hearts.
S.

[tasdrouille]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBVtrr_vpfA

I hope you understand now why I nicknamed her the truck...

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by tasdrouille

I hope you understand now why I nicknamed her the truck...

LOL! It sounds like a gasoline car's engine with misfiring cylinders. Or maybe a tractor...

At first I thought the little tune at the beginning was a cell phone . What is it for?