[Vwdiesel] Too cold(Dan Snyder)

[pmdolan1 at sasktel.net]

A few comments from someone who lives where it is cold (-30 right now) 
and moved down to here from where it is REALLY FRIGGING COLD (-50 many 
days). 

First of all, EVERY battery takes a hit in cranking power as it cools. 
 Not magic, just physics.  Some batteries will last a long time (VW 
OEM usually very good at that), but other things will kill a battery. 
 If a battery is cold, not only will it decrease the available energy 
it can delivery, but it is limited in its ability to take a charge. 
 There are a few secrets to getting max battery performance in really 
cold weather.  First of all, if you are replacing battery, look at AGM 
instead of flooded cell.  Yes, more money, but HECK YEAH more 
perfromance (including when cold).  Secondly, put a battery warmer 
into the car.  Old cars have room for a cheap blanket (that work, 
somewhat, but don't seem to last well), but newer cars (especially with 
air ducting around battery such as my TDI) are too crowded so I found 
some silicone pads at NAPA that go UNDER the battery and work far 
better (cost a lot more...but check the value of an AGM and a tow job 
or missed day at work and get back to me).  Both will draw something 
like 60 or 80Watts. 

Secondly:  DEFINITELY install coolant heater (which is all you might 
need in OH).  The Temro Zerostart that is included in Frost kit is 
absolutely top quality and function.  Now...I am a bit silly with this 
stuff, so I use an even larger version, but the kit size is far more 
than you need.  I use the words "far more" because plugging the car in 
all night is just a waste of energy.  Put the plug on a timer and run 
it an hour or two (depending on how cold) and you will see the temp 
gauge on the dial when you get it.  The car WILL start - even with a 
shakey battery. 

Again, it you want maximum effectiveness, put a grille cover in place. 
 TDIs will cool easily in winter with literally NOT airflow to rad, 
and a grille blanket will keep your battery and coolant heater engery 
INSIDE the engine bay.  FAR easier on the car and faster warmup on the 
drive end.  Similarly: do not remove the bottom pan covering the 
engine bay. 

Finally:  make darn sure your dealer is actually selling you the right 
oil.   If cranking goes from one level one day to slower the day after 
a change, it would make me worry about a bill for synthetic oil and a 
fill with dino.  Hate to say it, but it IS a possibility. 

You can get away with murder for a while, but eventually successive 
cold starts will use up battery, starter and patience/luck and bit you 
in the rear. Do these things and you can get 10 years or so out of a 
battery and start EVERY time - plugged in or not. 

Pat

On Mon, 10 Feb 2014 05:44:07 -0800 (PST), Bryan Belman 
<dieselwesty at yahoo.com> wrote:
Should not be an issue with cold temp velocity on the oil, brand should 
have no effect if they are rated the same. 
> Battery should be good, both the 04's I have are still cranking 
> STRONG with original factory batteries.  When they go, they will 
> most likely just go, but so far, even on 5 degree mornings this 
> winter, no indication of loss in strength. 
>  
> Your fuel gelled up, plain and simple. 
>  
>
> Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
> 04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD BEW, 100hp, 5sp -- running :<)
> 04 Golf TDI PD BEW, 100hp, 5sp Tiptronic Auto -- running :<)
> 82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA 1Y -- running :<)
> 70 Type 1 Beetle -- Under Restoration forever:-)
>
>
>
> On Monday, February 10, 2014 8:33 AM, DAN SNYDER 
> <fancy_dancer at wideopenwest.com> wrote:
>   My 2009 TDI (133,000 gentle miles) didn't start last Tuesday - 
> minus 5 F here in Columbus, Ohio - so I just let it sit for 2 days 
> and drove my old reliable (all-wheel-drive) Previa. By Thursday, it 
> had warmed up to 5 above, and the TDI cranked slowly but started OK. 
> The dealership has changed from Castrol to Quaker State 507.00 oil. 
> Both are 5W30; could a change in brand bring along with it a change 
> in cold viscosity? Maybe my 5 year old battery isn't up for this Ohio 
> winter. When I get ready to retire the Previa, I'll have to look into 
> a heating system for the coolant, and maybe the oil... Dan 
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