Subaru Crew Cafe

14097 messages, Last post on Jun 29, 2009 at 8:51 AM

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#13720 of 14097 Re: snow snow and more snow .... [w8ifi] by xwesx Jan 12, 2009 (10:46 am)
Replying to: w8ifi (Jan 10, 2009 1:13 pm) Jim - Judging by the stoutness of the cold that is finally beginning to move out, you should have some fun times before too long.... The Escort did okay through the extreme cold. I drove it every day last week, one of which brought temperatures to -50F, and it started without fail. The only real problem with it is that it uses ATF in the manual transmission. Seems strange to me, but it was a problem because ATF does not perform all that well in extreme cold. I had to make sure I had the shifter in neutral (which I otherwise never do) when I parked, or it was more likely than not I would not be able to get the vehicle in neutral on start-up. I had to really work at it one morning, at about -40, and that convinced me to modify my habits. As for plugging in, I never keep my vehicles plugged 24/7 unless I have good reason to need to start it at any moment. Outdoor timers help keep me on schedule and minimize electricity consumption. The Escort has a block and oil pan heater, and I plug it in for about two-to-three hours prior to starting. My Dodge Caravan has block, oil pan, and transmission pan heaters, along with a battery blanket (I have never found battery heating useful except to nurse weak batteries, but the vehicle came with it and I have not removed it). Neither had any problems starting in the cold. The Dodge even got toasty warm inside! So much so, that I would have to turn the heat down after all the interior materials warmed up. I was surprised by that - it is the only vehicle I have had that can get uncomfortably warm in such frigid weather. The Escort does not heat so well. In fact, it would not even hold operating temp unless it was revving fairly high (no tach, but I would estimate around 2500 or more RPM). So, every time I slowed to stop, idled, etc., the temp needle would drop down near "C." I will have to work on diagnosing that this summer, as it seems like a highly unusual condition to me. No other vehicle I have ever owned has done this. Mileage on the Escort for the last tank, which was consumed entirely during the cold snap, was just over 21 mpg - painfully low compared to the 35 mpg I was enjoying over the summer, and average of 27 mpg I had experienced up to that point during the sub-freezing months. But, compared to 12-13 mpg on the van, it was still nice! The added idling and the drivetrain resistance of the cold fluids/lubricants kills the fuel economy. Consistent and effective maintenance makes all the difference when vehicles are subjected to extreme temperatures. Replies to this message: w8ifi (Jan 12, 2009 4:50 pm) xwesx (Jan 12, 2009 6:23 pm)
#13721 of 14097 Re: snow snow and more snow .... [ladywclass] by xwesx Jan 12, 2009 (10:54 am)
Replying to: ladywclass (Jan 10, 2009 9:10 am) Brenda - Well, consider that the temperatures in the 40s are 40 degrees warmer than the single digits... 40 degrees warmer than -40 is zero, so yeah, that's about right for shorts initially. I see now that the forecast says possibly +35 degrees as a high on Thursday! That is going to seem tropical for a while, but when it drops back to normal temperatures (zero to -20 for this time of year), zero is going to feel real cold.
#13722 of 14097 Re: snow snow and more snow .... [xwesx] by w8ifi Jan 12, 2009 (4:50 pm)
Replying to: xwesx (Jan 12, 2009 10:46 am) Thanks for the reply.....I wonder what the other escort owners are experiencing as far as temp dropping. We used to see lot's of cars and trucks with a piece of cardboard between the grill and radiator, sometimes only partly covering the bottom half. Some had trouble with the fan pulling back too hard and the radiator and fan connecting and a ruptured radiator as a result or a fan messed up from becoming loose. The cold is supposed to hit tomorrow night but the forecasts don't show any record breaking but plenty cold enough. We've been spoiled with several moderate winters lately. Jim Replies to this message: xwesx (Jan 12, 2009 6:23 pm)
#13723 of 14097 Re: snow snow and more snow .... [ladywclass] by w8ifi Jan 12, 2009 (5:30 pm)
Replying to: ladywclass (Jan 09, 2009 5:12 pm) Brenda... How much snow did you finally end up getting? Actually driving in winter in southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois is usually a lot worse than winter driving up here. Driving on white ice on side roads at zero degrees you can still get pretty good traction here, even on highways like that, as long as you don't do anything too quick. It's not unusual to travel for 10 miles on a highway without seeing a car so usually there is lot's of room even if some sliding starts. Heavy traffic, slushy or icy roads like you get often is a nightmare. Lot's of people here forget what it's like driving in the populated areas you are in. I'll take the snowbank or a deer's rump over hitting another car. Jim Jim Replies to this message: xwesx (Jan 12, 2009 6:13 pm) w8ifi (Jan 12, 2009 7:30 pm) ladywclass (Jan 12, 2009 7:00 pm) w8ifi (Jan 12, 2009 7:33 pm)
#13724 of 14097 Re: snow snow and more snow .... [w8ifi] by xwesx Jan 12, 2009 (6:13 pm)
Replying to: w8ifi (Jan 12, 2009 5:30 pm) Jim: Remind me where you are located! For some reason, I was thinking you were in northern Michigan, but now I think I am way off.... I drove to Niagara Falls in December of 2001. On our way into Buffalo, we hit the front end of what proved to be a whopper of a snow storm (7' in five days). There was about 12" of snow on the ground and it was falling FAST. I was driving a Dodge rental car, FWD automatic. On the freeway there, vehicles were driving 10-20 mph and sliding into the ditches left and right. It was a little bewildering, but I had no problems - just cruised along at 35-40 as space allowed and dodged the moving roadblocks with NY plates. That was a really fantastic trip - the snow and the falls were beautiful. I had never seen snow come down like that before. Replies to this message: w8ifi (Jan 12, 2009 7:30 pm)
#13725 of 14097 Re: snow snow and more snow .... [w8ifi] by xwesx Jan 12, 2009 (6:23 pm)
Replying to: w8ifi (Jan 12, 2009 4:50 pm) I did the cardboard thing with my old '69 Chevy pickup, and it worked well. I actually had about 75% of the radiator covered. But, that was a '69, with a mechanical fan that was bolted directly to a pulley attached to the crank. It cooled whenever the engine was on. This Escort is a '98, with electric fan, that should come on only when the engine needs the added cooling. So, I would think that a cardboard covering would be a moot point. But, I suspect the car perhaps has no thermostat on it, so that would explain the slow warm ups and quick cool downs. I will investigate this summer. Also, the silly ATF in it is the primary reason, I think, for the poor winter mileage. I am researching some cold-weather alternatives that may help me avoid this problem in years future. I replaced the engine oil this summer with Amsoil synthetic. The engine is very smooth, burns no oil, and has no leaks. Even after about 8,000 miles on the oil, it is still a lovely golden color. We, too, were being very spoiled by mild winters. 2+ weeks of the real cold stuff sure was a swift kick to the groin....
#13726 of 14097 Re: snow snow and more snow .... [w8ifi] by ladywclass Jan 12, 2009 (7:00 pm)
Replying to: w8ifi (Jan 12, 2009 5:30 pm) There seems to be at least a foot in our driveway, but I haven't been out with a ruler to measure! The roads were OK today. Once it stops, the city can usually get them fairly cleared - as long as the temps aren't TOO cold. Our driveway and street is usually the worst, but there can be spots. The worst place I saw this morning was right in front of an elementary school (and they usually do not clean well here which surprises me since a lot of kids walk to school). A school bus in front of me actually slid sideways a bit before moving forward ... I was fine ... not the worst the streets have been this year. Just before Christmas it was BAD ..... another winter storm on the way ... more snow and lots of WIND ... we'll see if we have a delay or cancellation tomorrow! Replies to this message: w8ifi (Jan 12, 2009 7:33 pm)
#13727 of 14097 Re: snow snow and more snow .... [xwesx] by w8ifi Jan 12, 2009 (7:30 pm)
Replying to: xwesx (Jan 12, 2009 6:13 pm) Wes You recalled right. I'm in the Upper Peninsula. About 60 miles south of Lake Superior about 10 miles north of the Wisconsin border. (Just far enough south so we don't usually get much lake effect snow". I used to live on the west end of the peninsula and almost 200 inches was our average for snow. Here it is only around 85. I used to hate early winter storms with snowflakes as big as the palm of your hand, trying to make it over copper peak and could hardly see my hood ornament let alone the road. Holland is familiar with "Yooper Land". It's beautiful in the summer and fall. Jim
#13728 of 14097 Re: snow snow and more snow .... [ladywclass] by w8ifi Jan 12, 2009 (7:33 pm)
Replying to: ladywclass (Jan 12, 2009 7:00 pm) I was curious because there are several cottages across the street from me on a little lake. They are owned by Chicago residents. We get along well. I might email them and ask if they want to come up and enjoy the snow. Jim
#13729 of 14097 99 subaru impreza at oil temp light by hondaboy69 Jan 12, 2009 (8:30 pm)
hey yall if you have any idea as how to fix this let me know. i have the at oil temp light on and it wont pass third gear. the dealership tech said its the speed sensor in the tranny but not how to fix it.