Re: IML: Life in the cold cold, safety

["Jerry hesch" <jerryhesch@xxxxxxx>]

I recall when I lived in Havre, Montana with very similar winter conditions. 
Sadly, there were too many deaths in which pople unprepared had car trouble 
on the lonely roads.  In this day of cell phone I trust that is much less of 
an occurence.  If I may add my 2 cents worth car worthiness well covered by 
Brad and to that I would add a source of food and water and appropriate 
clothing and blankets in case of emergency.  Perhaps the most complet list 
of "should haves" can be obtained by a search for winter saftety gear on the 
glorious web.  Even cross country skiing mandates the above, one couple lost 
their lives when a ski broke in very late day.  Not a happy topic for the 
season but prevention creates much happiness, albeit perhaps unbeknown to 
the recipient.
Be safe and happy holidays to ALL, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and many 
blessing this season and new year to you and yours.  Greetings to all our 
Imperial friends in lands afar.
jerry
53
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brad Hogg" <roadhogg@xxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 11:34 PM
Subject: IML: Life in Winterpeg, Manitscolda


> I've lived through nearly 40 Manitoba winters and over half of those I've
> been a motorist.  With temperatures going down to -40F (-40C) in the 
> winter
> (and I'm not talking wind chill!), Winnipeg is a good place to learn how 
> to
> survive in the cold.  I've learned a few things.
>
> What you say is so true.  It is said that the Eskimos have about a dozen 
> or
> more words for snow.  There are so many different kinds of snow.  There is
> wet, dry, packed, fluffy, etc etc.  In the winter here, things get really
> nasty when the temperature is within 5 deg of freezing either way.  When 
> its
> cold, all you have to deal with is the cold, and sometimes the wind.
>
> As for the vehicle, there are a few items that are important for trouble
> free winter motoring.
> 1. Keep engine in good tune.
> 2. Use light weight or synthetic oil.  5W30 multigrade or 10W30 100%
> synthetic.
> 3. Have a good block heater.  In a 440, its best to have two, one on each
> side.
> 4. Have a good battery.  In cold temps, a battery looses half of its
> cranking power.  I never buy anything less than a 1000 CCA battery. (Cold
> Cranking Amps)
>
> There are many more things that will help make winter a non-event but 
> these
> are the basics for keeping your car mobile in the cold.  There are tire
> considerations, schemes to avoid frozen fuel lines, cold weather survival
> kits, booster cables, ice scrapers, winter wipers, battery blankets,
> interior heaters, and much more.
>
> My big blocks are excellent winter engines.  I drove my 1978 Newport (400
> cid) for two winters and it doesn't have any block heaters, having come 
> from
> the west coast.  I just put in 100% synthetic oil and a good battery and 
> it
> started perfectly every time.  I drove my 77 NYB (440 cid) all last winter
> and it performed perfectly.  That car has two nice big block heaters.
>
> I think the key is to not expect things to be as they are in the warm
> weather.  Everything will be a little different, some things won't work as
> well and some things won't work at all...live with it.  The weather has
> warmed up every spring for the last 40 years so I expect it will again 
> next
> spring too.
>
> -19F (-28C) here now with -40 wind chill and going colder tonight.
>
> Please quote this message in your reply.  Otherwise I will be unable to
> reply to your message.  Thanks.




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