Random Thought Thread

bluemax_1 said:
I’m always curious (@beeinak too);

How do your vehicles behave in those types of temps? Do you need to use a block heater to keep it warm overnight, so it starts easily the next day? Or do most vehicles do just fine? (I used to have a GMC where the dashboard/electronics wouldn’t light up half the time, at -12f or colder. They’d only come on after the interior had warmed up).
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2021 Tacoma here. It was -22° f when I left for work yesterday and for whatever reason the settings on my dash display had changed and the automatic traction control didn't kick on going around a corner. It started sluggishly.

ETA. It's now -15° and out of curiosity tried the 93 4Runner. It took a few seconds but fired up. Toyota ftw. 😁
 
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bluemax_1 said:
I’m always curious (@beeinak too);

How do your vehicles behave in those types of temps? Do you need to use a block heater to keep it warm overnight, so it starts easily the next day? Or do most vehicles do just fine? (I used to have a GMC where the dashboard/electronics wouldn’t light up half the time, at -12f or colder. They’d only come on after the interior had warmed up).
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Absolutely we use the block heaters overnight for nights this cold. Usually anything colder that -25° and we plug the vehicles in.
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
Absolutely we use the block heaters overnight for nights this cold. Usually anything colder that -25° and we plug the vehicles in.
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Yup. On board with this!! 👍

-25 F here in North Dakota yesterday.

2 work vehicles (‘15 Impala and ‘16 Silverado) hadn’t been ran in a week, couldn’t be plugged in, and simply wouldn’t start……they tried!!

Also had a personal vehicle (02 Ford Ranger) in for repairs (shocker, I know 😁). It had sat out all night, and wouldn’t start until they warmed up the engine bay with a bullet heater for an hour.

Block heaters, battery pack to assist with starting, warming up the equipment properly (hydraulics and pumps sure do groan in these temps), proper #1 diesel and utilizing extra caution and care goes along way!

Also, think warm thoughts, and make sure the CPK that you’re carrying doesn’t touch exposed skin for too long!!! 😁
 
bluemax_1 said:
Years ago, I recalled reading that the red velvet cheesecake there is literally one of the highest calorie items you can order at ANY chain restaurant. Something like one slice has more calories than the average person should eat for the whole day.
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The first time I got food poisoning, my doctor asked if I'd recently eaten at the Cheesecake Factory in town (I had not, nor have I ever). He explained that a plurality of the food poisoning cases he saw were from people who had eaten there and that a few of his staff usually got the bug every time they got Cheesecake Factory to cater their holiday office parties. I couldn't help but ask if he considered using a different caterer that didn't poison his employees. Evidently his staff always insisted on the Cheesecake Factory, so he just gave them what they wanted and mentally took bets on who would get knocked down this time.🤷‍♂️
 
Follow on question for folks in regions where it’s not uncommon for subzero high temps;

What happens when you drive to work? Is it common for workplaces to provide utilities to plug your block heaters in? I’d assume an 8 hour shift is enough to cold soak the vehicle.
 
bluemax_1 said:
How do your vehicles behave in those types of temps? Do you need to use a block heater to keep it warm overnight, so it starts easily the next day? Or do most vehicles do just fine? (I used to have a GMC where the dashboard/electronics wouldn’t light up half the time, at -12f or colder. They’d only come on after the interior had warmed up).
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If I had a diesel, I'd definitely use a heater. Pretty rare we get below 25º or so where I live, although it does happen. My truck sits inside a garage at night (not heated) and it starts right up, no prob.

bluemax_1 said:
Follow on question for folks in regions where it’s not uncommon for subzero high temps;

What happens when you drive to work? Is it common for workplaces to provide utilities to plug your block heaters in? I’d assume an 8 hour shift is enough to cold soak the vehicle.
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Around here, most workplaces do not have block heaters for employees.
 
Hammer67 said:
If I had a diesel, I'd definitely use a heater. Pretty rare we get below 25º or so where I live, although it does happen. My truck sits inside a garage at night (not heated) and it starts right up, no prob.



Around here, most workplaces do not have block heaters for employees.
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I think block heaters are usually user installed. You just plug them into an outlet.

Even here where single digit daytime temps happen (and we hit a low of -20.5f temp last night, not wind chill), I don’t typically hear of anyone with block heaters, which is why I was wondering if workplaces provide the ability to plug them in, in regions where block heaters are common.
 
bluemax_1 said:
Follow on question for folks in regions where it’s not uncommon for subzero high temps;

What happens when you drive to work? Is it common for workplaces to provide utilities to plug your block heaters in? I’d assume an 8 hour shift is enough to cold soak the vehicle.
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Just speaking for myself, I don’t plug in at work. If it’s really cold, maybe start it around noon and let it run for a bit. A coworker, who had an even MORE janky old pickup, plugged his in to make it easier to start at the end of the day.

Those that I work with with newer vehicles just hit the auto start, and very rarely have issues.
 
bluemax_1 said:
Follow on question for folks in regions where it’s not uncommon for subzero high temps;

What happens when you drive to work? Is it common for workplaces to provide utilities to plug your block heaters in? I’d assume an 8 hour shift is enough to cold soak the vehicle.
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I started mine yesterday owning and ''cold soaked'' is completely accurate. Started it about an hour before bed and it did fine.

This morning howerver.... soaked again. I guess it was about 10 hours between starts. Git it going no problem but it took a little more effort than when it was warm.

Id just make sure to start and run it for like a half hour if it's going to be outside for an 8 hour shift
 
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