Hey everyone. It is supposed to be -20 tonight in upstate NY (ALOT lower than average). I had Prestone put in at the last coolant change 4/2010. I am pretty sure it is in an normal 50/50 mix. Is that in the correct mix to prevent it from freezing or should I have asked for 70/30 at the time? Obviously the consequences are severe for antifreeze freezing in an engine block?

 

50/50 should be good to -34*F. 70/30 down to -82*F.

 

Ok thanks. Makes me feel alot better.

 

My Blazer & Jeep saw -25 below zero last year with a 50-50 mix & they were fine. The only problem I had with both & several other people had with various vehicles was at those temps the "check engine light" came on. When I had my shop read them it was a converter code running to cold I believe. They just reset them & it was OK. The shop owner said he had a bunch of this those few days.

 

we just use 50/50 here and it can dip down to -40's with no problems.

you do know they make cheap handheld testers for like $10. much cheaper than a new motor.

 

Question? Have you ever seen a gas motor start below -50* without aid? Some maybe it happens,very dependant upom fuel system care! What say you blazinloud? At one time in CO I had to remove the battery and keep it in the house at night! To keep it warmed up! Insane! Got it started at just about - 40* -If anyone has a story about cold weather starting this would be GREAT! step66

 

I started this thing this morning when it was -15 and I had to hold the key down for 5 seconds after it didn't start on the first try and then it "sputtered" once it started. Battery was a few notches below normal (engine off that is). There is Lucas in the fuel and transmission and Mobil1/Rislone in the engine.

 

Mine started at -18 degrees this morning, but the check engine light came on after I let it warm and drove it a couple miles. Was a p0404 egr valve. This is the second time it's done this in the past week. Always in the AM and when it's particularly cold out (was -5 the other time). Could this be cold related?