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k_mainer t1_j6l345h wrote

The ground serves as insulation for your well. However, if you have plumbing on outside walls and lack proper insulation, it’s a good idea to leave your faucets dripping… not running… very slow. Also, even if you aren’t planning to go anywhere, start your vehicle and let it run for 15 minutes or so every day we have this minus whatever temperature. Definitely warm it up before you plan to leave (10 minutes or so is fine). If you have pets, be sure to keep an eye on them outside. Make them do their business and come back quickly. P.s. Always have a good pair of boots, a hat, gloves/mittens in your vehicle, even if you’re not wearing them. 👍 You’ve got this!

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3490goat t1_j6ljwt2 wrote

And a wool blanket too if you can spare one for your car. And always keep your car over 1/4 of a tank

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RedSnowBird t1_j6lzs7p wrote

Taking the dog out in this weather always stresses me out. I feel like I am torturing them. Had a dachshund and there was no way to make her hurry. Always had to put boots on her when it was in single digits. If I didn't, she would end up picking her feet up and not moving because she was in pain and of course wouldn't go.

Days like the one coming up always made me wish we had paper trained her.

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HostelofMaine t1_j6lfutp wrote

>Also, even if you aren’t planning to go anywhere, start your vehicle and let it run for 15 minutes or so every day

Why?

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3490goat t1_j6lk47q wrote

It recharges the battery and moves the oils and fluid around. So I’ve been told by people who live in Minnesota and that’s just what they do

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HostelofMaine t1_j6mz7oo wrote

Huh.. I'd strongly recommend not starting your car if you don't need to. Cars accumulate most of their wear during cold starts, and significantly more so during these kinds of temps. The oil won't adequately warm up by just idling unless you did so for an hour or so (coolant warms up significantly faster). Also, starting a car when a battery is very cold is going to wear out the battery much more than letting it sit and warm back up after the cold spell. The absolute best thing you could do would be to put your battery on a tender/charger. Also make sure your coolant is topped off and is at least 50% coolant (freezing point -36F).

If you do have to go somewhere during a point where it's in the negative teens or lower, I would recommend a short warm-up period (which is not normally necessary even in cold weather).

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AEKDBull t1_j6lk3lz wrote

At Zero degrees, a battery has about 70% of its starting power

At -30 degrees, a battery has about 20% of its starting power

Also, the amount of power needed to crank an engine increases as the temperature drops. Will just leaving your car in the cold have little to no impact, yeah probably, but if you need it it's best to have been prepared by having the engine and battery warmed up.

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eljefino t1_j6pdl3q wrote

Another vote to not run your car for no reason. If you don't need it Saturday just leave it until Sunday, it'll be fine.

The car itself is the worst way to warm the car up. If you want to do it a favor put a 100 watt incandescent light bulb under the hood.

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