[CanuckDWfan]

Holy frozen buttcheeks, Batman! :shock:

It was -40* this morning when I started the car. The block heater had been running for ~4 hrs (it's on a timer) and the engine temperature (as indicated with the EVIC in diagnostic mode) was 19*C/66*F - not bad at all! But the power steering pump sure complained for the first couple of seconds. The doors closed like there was no rubber weatherstripping at all, it was shrunk up so bad I suppose. The tires and shocks were hard as rocks for the first little while, and don't get me started on the seats - BRRRRRR!!! It's like the heated seats don't actually start heating until a butt is sitting in them, because they sure weren't PRE-heated after letting it warm up for 10 minutes or so.

All in all it was fine - it's just the power steering is so stiff that I take it easy on the steering to try to avoid blowing a hose. All my driving to work is highway and I have the 180* thermostat, but I haven't gotten any codes when I let it warm up in the driveway for a while and leave the autostick in 4 until the engine is up to temp.

Once in the city limits, though, the temp had warmed up to a balmy -31*C/-24*F. :bahdumcha:

 

[hambone1983]

I had the same issue w/ my maggie - power steering becoming stiff as a rock.
but the temp wasn't as low as your way... on the other hand my wife's 07 chevy equinox steering wheel is amazingly smooth during the worst low temps.

 

[CanuckDWfan]

Is the Equinox power steering electric? I think it's electric in the Malibus and some other GM models.

I suppose electric power steering just means an electrically driven pump? In that case there would still be cold hydraulic fluid, wouldn't there. Or is it actually electrically driven steering?

 

[FLEX]

it was shrunk up so bad I suppose.

It shrinks???

Like a frightened turtle!!!

:mrgreen:

Damn, that's cold. Thank goodness for standard equipment block heaters on the Canadian models.

-=FLEX=-

 

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

Holy frozen buttcheeks, Batman! :shock:

It was -40* this morning when I started the car. The block heater had been running for ~4 hrs (it's on a timer) and the engine temperature (as indicated with the EVIC in diagnostic mode) was 19*C/66*F - not bad at all! But the power steering pump sure complained for the first couple of seconds. The doors closed like there was no rubber weatherstripping at all, it was shrunk up so bad I suppose. The tires and shocks were hard as rocks for the first little while, and don't get me started on the seats - BRRRRRR!!! It's like the heated seats don't actually start heating until a butt is sitting in them, because they sure weren't PRE-heated after letting it warm up for 10 minutes or so.

All in all it was fine - it's just the power steering is so stiff that I take it easy on the steering to try to avoid blowing a hose. All my driving to work is highway and I have the 180* thermostat, but I haven't gotten any codes when I let it warm up in the driveway for a while and leave the autostick in 4 until the engine is up to temp.

Once in the city limits, though, the temp had warmed up to a balmy -31*C/-24*F. :bahdumcha:

That's insane!! :doh:

"How do you guys live like that?!?!?"

Yeah no kidding. :mrgreen:

 

[FLEX]

Yeah no kidding. :mrgreen:

LMAO Robert!!!

:beerchug:

-=FLEX=-

 

[bigjim]

And just think the cold month is 28 days away!!

 

[ICEChargerRT]

Holy frozen buttcheeks, Batman! :shock:

It was -40* this morning when I started the car. The block heater had been running for ~4 hrs (it's on a timer) and the engine temperature (as indicated with the EVIC in diagnostic mode) was 19*C/66*F - not bad at all! But the power steering pump sure complained for the first couple of seconds. The doors closed like there was no rubber weatherstripping at all, it was shrunk up so bad I suppose. The tires and shocks were hard as rocks for the first little while, and don't get me started on the seats - BRRRRRR!!! It's like the heated seats don't actually start heating until a butt is sitting in them, because they sure weren't PRE-heated after letting it warm up for 10 minutes or so.

All in all it was fine - it's just the power steering is so stiff that I take it easy on the steering to try to avoid blowing a hose. All my driving to work is highway and I have the 180* thermostat, but I haven't gotten any codes when I let it warm up in the driveway for a while and leave the autostick in 4 until the engine is up to temp.

Once in the city limits, though, the temp had warmed up to a balmy -31*C/-24*F. :bahdumcha:

Thanks for reminding me of why I'm in Florida! Woke up today to a "chilly and damp" 64 degree morning. Yes we have very hot and humid summers, hurricanes, and lots of bugs, etc... but at least its never that damn cold here!

 

[Blank Dave]

Holy frozen buttcheeks, Batman! :shock:

and don't get me started on the seats - BRRRRRR!!! It's like the heated seats don't actually start heating until a butt is sitting in them, because they sure weren't PRE-heated after letting it warm up for 10 minutes or so.

I'm in Ontario, so I don't get as cold as you do, but that leather still is chilly. I'm just trying to figure out how to word this so I come across properly.

I have to wonder if their heating system isn't pressure sensitive. I have no solid evidence to the proof of it, just my casual observations. But it seems that my seats don't start to heat up until I get my butt parked in them. It doesn't seem to matter if I just fire the car up and go, or if I start it up, crank the heat, turn on the defroster, turn on the seat, unplug the block heater and sweep it off then go, my seats don't start to feel warm until I've been in the car for so long. Now if the seats aren't pressure sensitive, why are my seats just as cold after letting the car warm up as when I just climb into it cold?

I've noticed, when I think of it, my seat does seem to warm up quicker when I put my lunch pail on my seat while I'm warming up the car.

Just something to ponder...

 

[Big Jon]

That is just stupid cold, it is understood that anytime the temp is -40 they will not be seeing my arse at work.
Last time I saw that cold the windows shattered on my pickup topper, my autostart died & I picked up a guy on the highway when his gas froze after 15 miles.
I will only go out to chip my dog off the fire hydrant.:bahdumcha:

 

[CanuckDWfan]

...I will only go out to chip my dog off the fire hydrant.:bahdumcha:

ROTFLMAO!!

Blank Dave, I'm going to try that trick with the lunch box, and if that doesn't work I'm going to pack more lunch (make it heavier) and try again - LOL! From what I've experienced I agree that the seat warmers may be pressure sensitive.

I have to add that everything truly is fine at those temps. Three people in the car with the auto temperature controls set blower on Hi Auto, temps set at 23*C/76'ish*F and dampers set for defrost/floor blend - everyone's warm and there's no frost build-up inside the windows at all. It doesn't actually GET to 23*C - more like 20*C - but that seems to be more of a calibration thing than anything else because the blower actually thinks it's reached it's setpoint and starts slowing down and controlling.

After going through this for about three weeks straight now (-25*C/-13*F and colder) the only extra thing I wish this car had is a steering wheel warmer. That ultra-cold wheel just sucks the heat out of my hands right through the gloves!

Why do we put up with these stupid extremes?! For the good job/pay and (what used to be) the affordable lifestyle - I call it the Golden Handcuff. Except for these goofy temperatures we've got right now, life is pretty dang good for me. :thumbs_u:

 

[hambone1983]

True true - the equinox does have electronic power steering. no idea how the setiup is tho - should check it out sometimes this weekend.

Is the Equinox power steering electric? I think it's electric in the Malibus and some other GM models.

I suppose electric power steering just means an electrically driven pump? In that case there would still be cold hydraulic fluid, wouldn't there. Or is it actually electrically driven steering?