Extreme Cold - Any Tips?

We had a day of -28C (-18.4F) last week and I had no issues with my 2008. I blocked the upper intake to test it out and seemed to work fine. I live very close to the freeway, so the car warmed up pretty fast.
Didn't get to use the block heater as my Mini is still occupying my parking spot with an outlet.
I drove about 70 miles and got about 39 mpg, but it was only my second week with the car. Getting about 46 now that I know a few tricks.

I really like the feel of the start since it doesn't even hesitate at these temps. Not that my MCS had any issues, but this at -28C it would definitely take a few rotations to start up.

 

back in the day, block heaters were all the rage here. i wonder if purchase has tapered off as people discovered they were mostly unnecessary?

 

Maybe a trickle charger on the 12V battery and in the morning start the car and let it warm up like mentioned above at least till it shuts off by itself. I live in NW Indiana not far from Chicago but am retired and don't have to fight the cold weather much anymore.
It's been a while since we have had temperatures like these to deal with but you will be one of the lucky ones I predict. Your neighbors will have their hoods up but don't jump them with your Prius.

 

At least the detached garage gives you the option of leaving the car on overnight. That would not be a good idea with an attached garage. If you do decide to let it run for whatever time in the garage make sure you open the doors for a minute or two to vent any carbon monoxide that might have built up. Then pull the car out and let the car run outside for a few minutes before you get in and drive it.

 

The upper vs lower block is dependent on the inverter radiator location. Second gen it's at the bottom, third gen it's at the top. Basically, it's more risky to block the inverter radiator location, block the other portion first, and when blocking the portion with inverter rad, maybe only 50% block.

 

I don't think we had -26 with my Prius (Gen3 and PRIME), but sub-zero F is a normal occurrence in Jan. Never had any problem starting. I would not worry too much. Just drive it.

 

How so? I think they get installed into nearly every car here. We do have a 6 month winter. Petrol heaters have be come a lot more popular though.
In most apartment buildings, we have outlets for block heaters and an indoor heater. People really don't like a cold car covered in snow when they commute 50 miles.

 

Ahem:

 

Funny Mendel, when we in the US think of Canada we think it is colder that the US and it all depends on where you are. DAH

 

Block heater!

LG-US998 using PriusChat mobile app

 

I am also in Cjicagoland with a 2009 Prius. I have a detached garage and refused to go out in those horrible temps with snow and ice still in the driveway. Now my battery us dead and trying to jump it from a charger with the nifty port under the hood is not working. How do I get the plastic off the actual battery to have access to the ports?

 

Keep the jumpers under the hood connected and open the back hatch while you have power. Don’t try to jump the car from the battery terminals you could fry many expensive parts. Remove the battery and take it inside. It might be frozen.

 

Again DO NOT try to jump start the car from the battery terminals. You can cause enough damage to total the car the repairs would cost so much.

 

I hooked up a quick connect that came with my smart charger, to the 12 volt inlet cable in the fusebox. Anytime the car's not being used, I hook up the charger, leave it on till the car's next use. I also have a jump pack, that's getting dusty...

 

Second gen having inverter radiator at the bottom, I'd start blocking with the top. If it's bitter cold, block the bottom too, but 50% at most.