Cold weather, no warmup, no acceleration

[VTRanger]

Well no not necessarily. It can often be very humid when cold. We don't get "extreme" cold here anyway so I can't speak to what could be going on in sub 0 conditions. I just figured mine is condensation inside the piping getting sucked through and then its gone, until next time.

This is true, I used to always associate cold with dry, but that's not always the case.

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[VTRanger]

-5 isnt extremely cold

In Alberta, you get ice fog when its cold. still plenty of moisture in the air.
here's todays temp in Balmy Grande Prairie. -33C and 71% humidity

That's crazy!

 

[slowmachine]

Extremely Cold = Extremely Dry

We are accustomed reports of Relative Humidity. Relative Humidity is a measure of how much water is in the air, expressed as a percentage of the maximum amount of water that the air can hold (saturation). In absolute terms, though, the capacity of air to hold water molecules is affected mainly by temperature and atmospheric pressure. Absolute Humidity is expressed as the total mass of water contained in a volume of air.

It took me a few minutes of searching to find these graphics, which shows the actual mass of water contained in air of various relative humidity levels at different temperatures.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Thanks man... Will let it warm up from now on, my Subaru Crosstrek just goes no matter what, disappointed in the ranger in the cold temps.

So far in negative temps, I can't use my parking brake or it won't shut off cause the boot won't flex, or will crack the parking brake boot if you use it, can't remote start cause it smells like burning plastic, and don't try to drive without warming up or you might end up in an accident cause you have no acceleration.

I go with the water in fuel; condensation. You had no warning lights or messages, and the problem fixed itself. My rule of thumb is never let the truck sit with the fuel level below a quarter tank. The emptier the tank, the more chance of condensation forming. I park my motorcycle for the winter with a full tank for the same reason. Also, I like to have a comfortable amount of fuel in case I get stuck and need to idle for an extended time. You may want to try some HEET in your tank to absorb any condensation that might be in there.

Warming the engine won't really have much effect on condensation in the tank, but it will help bring the oil (and the interior!) up to operating temp. But remember, the rest of the drivetrain is cold so if towing in sub zero weather especially, use your balloon foot at first.

I've not had a problem with my parking brake boot, and I apply it most every time. You might try some mink oil or a leather/ vinyl conditioner on it to soften the boot up.

 

[VTRanger]

I go with the water in fuel; condensation. You had no warning lights or messages, and the problem fixed itself. My rule of thumb is never let the truck sit with the fuel level below a quarter tank. The emptier the tank, the more chance of condensation forming. I park my motorcycle for the winter with a full tank for the same reason. Also, I like to have a comfortable amount of fuel in case I get stuck and need to idle for an extended time. You may want to try some HEET in your tank to absorb any condensation that might be in there.

Warming the engine won't really have much effect on condensation in the tank, but it will help bring the oil (and the interior!) up to operating temp. But remember, the rest of the drivetrain is cold so if towing in sub zero weather especially, use your balloon foot at first.

I've not had a problem with my parking brake boot, and I apply it most every time. You might try some mink oil or a leather/ vinyl conditioner on it to soften the boot up.

Nice, thanks for the info... funny you mentioned the fuel level, just had the low fuel light come on this morning. Time to fill her up!

 

[THLONE]

If you believe the global warming terriosts Cali, DC, NY, will be under water. Not a bad thing as long as the leftys drown. LOL

 

[VegasRanger]

you should be able to go at any temp.....but a car is like a woman....warm it up first....or you're in for problems later.

Nothing worse than trying to get a dry shaft going... Always get them warmed up first and get the fluids going or you're in for some shaft warping

 

[Motorpsychology]

-5 isnt extremely cold

In Alberta, you get ice fog when its cold. still plenty of moisture in the air.
here's todays temp in Balmy Grande Prairie. -33C and 71% humidity

If you are talking Celsius -5ºC is still T-shirt weather (except for Dave). -5ºC equals +23ºF.
-33ºC = -27ºF = colder'n a witch's tit in a brass bra.

ºC and ºF are roughly equal at -41º. Untreated gasoline freezes at that temp.

 

[VTRanger]

If you are talking Celsius -5ºC is still T-shirt weather (except for Dave). -5ºC equals +23ºF.
-33ºC = -27ºF = colder'n a witch's tit in a brass bra.

ºC and ºF are roughly equal at -41º. Untreated gasoline freezes at that temp.

True, I was talking -5F originally.

 

[Blue Streak]

My cold weather start up is the same as warm weather start up. I do get to park in the garage, I get in insert key turn on but do not engage starter, shift to neutral, release parking brake, as truck slowly rolls out of the garage enough for the tail pipe to clear garage door starter is engaged engine starts, I sit & wait for it to idle down as I go through my list of pushing buttons & buckling up etc.. When she idles down I put her in reverse back out & drive off normally till all fluids get up to temp. Every body has there own little way of doing things.

 

[Motorpsychology]

True, I was talking -5F originally.

That equals colder'n a well digger's Auto Start Stop.?

 

[XLT and me]

O.P. , my truck does this when temperature gets below 35 degrees f. Had the tbs done for rough running/shifting, it helped a little bit, but still does it. Last time i had it in for service, (well actually the 5th time for cel issues) I asked them if they could adjust the choke to fix it. Got a blank stare back. Worst running vehicle when cold that is fuel injected I have ever driven. And that is after letting it run 5-10 minutes to warm up. Yea love having to do that every time i go to work.That and the cold 4th gear shift is like to drop the driveshaft out. Will be taking it in again i suppose. This thing has been in for warranty issues twice as many times in a year and a half than all the vehicles i have owned combined. It really is a piece.Wish i could of got a good one instead of a lemon. Ugh

 

[VTRanger]

O.P. , my truck does this when temperature gets below 35 degrees f. Had the tbs done for rough running/shifting, it helped a little bit, but still does it. Last time i had it in for service, (well actually the 5th time for cel issues) I asked them if they could adjust the choke to fix it. Got a blank stare back. Worst running vehicle when cold that is fuel injected I have ever driven. And that is after letting it run 5-10 minutes to warm up. Yea love having to do that every time i go to work.That and the cold 4th gear shift is like to drop the driveshaft out. Will be taking it in again i suppose. This thing has been in for warranty issues twice as many times in a year and a half than all the vehicles i have owned combined. It really is a piece.Wish i could of got a good one instead of a lemon. Ugh

Thanks.. Sorry to hear that! I hope I don't end up at the dealer that much but wouldn't be surprised.

 

[navsnipe]

The 10 speed transmission seems to be very cranky when cold. If I start and go when it's below freezing the shift from reverse to drive usually has a slight delay and the shifting is very clunky for the first couple of minutes. If I let it warm up there are usually no problems.

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