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-38 degC=F cold start problem & traction control problem with Snow

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by ggtronic, Jan 3, 2014.

  1. ggtronic

    ggtronic SMART choice

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    2012 Prius c
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    One
    hello

    i'v search other thread about how to disable Traction Control (TC)
    and block heater option ? i want to create a "blog" type of thread with
    solution in the first post (here) because i hate to read 1000s post to
    get answers ! i think i'm not alone ?

    first :
    i'v got stock in 8 inch of snow while TC kick in and paralize my car !
    Question :
    HOW do we disable TC ?
    special procedure ?

    Second :
    cold start , i mean REALLY cold start at -38 : took
    me 4 shots... at first 3 shots, motor made horrible knocking
    and barely turn... was impossible to stop the start sequence
    with start button and battery died all 3 first try... i'v waited
    2 to 5 minutes between tryout... finaly , after 10 minutes delay
    between trial 3 and 4 ... the fourth time worked ...
    Question:
    anybody here has a block heater option ?
    work well ?
    prices ?
    We already have a very "light" oïl grade = 0-20 full syn !
    original engine oil on prius C? | PriusChat

    We have a big 0.9kiloWatt battery to start our
    engine and a big reliable starter ... why cold start
    are so hard ?

    Maybe the "Atkinson cycle" lead to a 13:1
    compression ratio and mess up in cold start ,
    thus need more power to start ?
    MOTOR Magazine Article | MOTOR Information Systems
    NOTE : we dont have a true Atkinson cycle, but
    VVT-iE, Variable Valve Timing instead :
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 ggtronic, Jan 3, 2014
  2. jgilliam1955

    jgilliam1955 Sometime your just gotta cry! 2013 Prius 4.

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    Isn't 38 below to cold not to have a heater? That's how the Germans lost the war. You may have damaged your engine?
    Check the Shop on this site. They should be able to help you. As for disabling the TC..
    Disable Traction Control for winter situations? | PriusChat
    I Googled it and the above came up.
    Good luck.
     
    #2 jgilliam1955, Jan 3, 2014
  3. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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    You will find much relevent info that you will use and enjoy while you do your own research.
     
    #3 Mr Incredible, Jan 3, 2014
    fourenty likes this.
  4. vernon birdman

    vernon birdman Active Member

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    -41 yikes. One of the reasons that I moved from Montreal to British Columbia. Bonne chance mon ami.
     
    #4 vernon birdman, Jan 4, 2014
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

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    I'm surprised you don't have a block heater if it regularly hits -20°C. I plug mine in at -5°C or colder :).

    I'm not sure what to tell you since a regular Prius (mine) starts at -30°C, plugged in. (It wasn't parked outside when it hit -40 so I can't tell you how it would start from that temperature. -30°C is about as cold as I can remember when my car was parked outdoors overnight).
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Jan 4, 2014
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how do we add our solution to the first post?
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 4, 2014
  7. Pierce Butler

    Pierce Butler Junior Member

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    My 2012 Prius C started at -39C and -47c with wind chill. I am in the Yukon Territories and was worried about the car in such cold temperatures. I had installed a block heated (regular OEM Toyota block heater) before moving up here from the East Coast. At -39c it started first time and shook/vibrated but smoothed out after about a minute of idling. I did start also without any issues at -30c even after I forgot to plug it in. Cold thus far does not seem to be an issue and traction with studded winter tires is very good as long as ground clearance doesn't become an issue. On one occasion I relied n my Jeep TJ as the snow was just to dead ad I was getting hung up trying to leave my driveway. The car is pretty low to the ground which results in a lot of resistance when the snow gets really deep. Going to 185s has given it a little extra ground clearance without any unusual handling characteristics. Concerning oil I would not go with anything thinner as the 0w20 is already thin enough and being synthetic it has good flow properties.
     
    #7 Pierce Butler, Jan 4, 2014
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