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Cold Weather Performance

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Crash, Jun 14, 2005.

  1. Crash

    Crash Junior Member

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    I like driving to Northern Quebec in the winter and wonder if my Prius will run at minus 40 degrees, or should I consider renting something else this winter? Any one with experience at these extreme temperatures? Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 Crash, Jun 14, 2005
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    For future questions, please use the search function first. There are many threads on this, including one that's currently active.


    It will run fine. Jayman is in Winnipeg and runs on Dunlop Graspics. Just throw on a good set of snow tyres and you're set. The traction control is very sensitive to protect the electric motor.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Jun 14, 2005
  3. Crash

    Crash Junior Member

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    I saw those posts and they were concerned about driving on snow. I'm wondering about really cold temperatures. Every battery operated device I own doesn't work very well when it gets that cold. How cold does it get in Winnipeg?
     
    #3 Crash, Jun 14, 2005
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Oh. I stand corrected then. Sorry. Oh and welcome to PriusChat!

    Well the engine runs pretty much 100% of the time. I do believe Jayman said that the heater is insufficient but it never gets that cold in Vancouver so I can't say anything. Doesn't Winnipeg drop to -40°C on occasions? I mean, it was in the -30s when I was in Edmonton in winter 2003/2004.

    Hmm, what else. The battery will stay "fully charged" so to speak more often than none so there isn't a concern with a discharged battery. The computers will take care of themselves.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Jun 14, 2005
  5. DaveG

    DaveG Member

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    The car itself will run fine - no problem at all, however some owners have reported that they find that the heater isn't quite able to keep them as toasty warm as they'd like in -40c weather.

    Dave
     
    #5 DaveG, Jun 14, 2005
  6. vincent1449p

    vincent1449p Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Crash\";p=\"98515)</div>
    I think you must have missed this post with the same topic:

    Cold Weather Performance

    That is true because your battery operated device do not have Battery Thermal Mangaement which you will find in Prius.

    Vincent
     
    #6 vincent1449p, Jun 14, 2005
  7. Crash

    Crash Junior Member

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    Good Point on the Battery Thermal Management. On my cel phone, GPS and camera, I use inside pockets for thermal management. As long as the battery doesn't get damaged at -40C, I can deal with the lower cabin temperature and engine running.

    Also, I block the radiator with some cardboard when I get into really cold temperatures to help keep the engine warmer. When I installed window screening in front of the radiator on the Prius to keep bugs from clogging it, I discovered that with all the cowling and drag-reducing panels, putting something in front of the radiator takes a bit of work.
     
    #7 Crash, Jun 15, 2005
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