I hate winter

[Jay2TheRescue]

Do you have a plow for your truck, or a yard tractor w/ a plow?

-Jay

[Snax]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I thought most vehicles had a defroster cut out temp where if ambient temps are under 38F the compressor doesn't run. Chances are if its 30F outside your compressor isn't running.

-Jay

So that's what's going on with the Escort! All of my other vehicles haven't had this switch apparently, and my Escort defrost has yet to work well anytime it's wet out and sub 40F with a cold motor. I thought there was something wrong with it. Perhaps not. :P

[slurp812]

Originally Posted by BIBI

block heater/ make me love winter

I would like the better mileage, but still hate winter!!!!

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by Snax

A space heater inside is a nice help too on frosty mornings, but I absolutely would NOT do that part without a timer that switches on AFTER you awaken. I setup mine at 750W coupled with the 1kW block heater to come on 45 minutes before I leave.

Tell me more. Where in the car do you place the heater, and how do you protect against burning the interior? I'm thinking if I fold down the back seats in the hatchback and put some firecode gypsum down...

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Do you have a plow for your truck, or a yard tractor w/ a plow?

I can't afford a plow for the truck. I have a cheesy plow for the tractor but I've never been able to figure out how to get the stupid chains on the tires. Anyway, I'm not too confident that it would work on my steep driveway, and the tractor isn't dependable. I'm really in a bind and I'll just have to deal with shoveling for a few more years until I pull out of this condition.

My dad had a plow for the dumptruck but sold it, and anyway it cost as much gas to drag that 8mpg truck up here as it does to pay someone to do the job.

[Snax]

Originally Posted by theholycow

Tell me more. Where in the car do you place the heater, and how do you protect against burning the interior? I'm thinking if I fold down the back seats in the hatchback and put some firecode gypsum down...

YMMV!

I would not use a free-air type for sure, but I've not had any issues with a forced air unit - taking careful note of how hot/close it is to interior trim. I never said it was safe for the record, but I also park it outisde and wouldn't think of doing it in my attached garage.

[theholycow]

My car is outside too. If it was in a garage, I'd just insulate the garage and maybe add proper heat. I don't want to burn the car, though...

[Jay2TheRescue]

You have an air compressor? I always let the air out of the tires, put the chains on, then pumped them back up. It was the easiest way to get them on right.

-Jay

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Snax

YMMV!

I would not use a free-air type for sure, but I've not had any issues with a forced air unit - taking careful note of how hot/close it is to interior trim. I never said it was safe for the record, but I also park it outisde and wouldn't think of doing it in my attached garage.

I actually have a 12v ceramic forced air heater that plugs into the lighter socket to help warm up the truck interior quickly on cold mornings.

-Jay

[theholycow]

I think I tried that. The chains might not be the right size. Maybe I should have tried again during warm weather instead of waiting until it's cold enough to freeze my fingers solid...

[Jay2TheRescue]

Yeah, wait for a (relatively) warm day and put the chains on & park it. That way its ready for when you need it.

-Jay