Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[sailor723]

So, I’m more than a little pissed to discover the Crosstrek’s block heater isn’t working. Thought I just hadn’t plugged it in properly, but nope. Open circuit when tested with a multi meter, so seems the thing is dead. 

Minus 32 when I started it on Friday. Minus 25 when I started it yesterday. It was painful to listen to each time, but it did start.

Don’t want to make a trip to the dealer, and also don’t want to investigate further in my driveway at minus 25. 

A block heater is something you don't want to be without.

I've actually never had one in nearly 48 years of car ownership.   

[quadzilla]

I'm now living by the lake and I have a very steep but short access road to drive up to the main road. Thanks to a shift in the wind last night we got a lot of lake effect snow and the access road is snow covered and very slippery. Took me 3 attempts to get up it this morning, have to love one wheel drive. Might have to trade in for a Subaru if this weather keeps up.

Even saw a few pickups in 4x struggling up. Still waiting for the Cybertruck to come by and show everybody how it is done. 

[rrocket]

So, I’m more than a little pissed to discover the Crosstrek’s block heater isn’t working. Thought I just hadn’t plugged it in properly, but nope. Open circuit when tested with a multi meter, so seems the thing is dead. 

Minus 32 when I started it on Friday. Minus 25 when I started it yesterday. It was painful to listen to each time, but it did start.

Don’t want to make a trip to the dealer, and also don’t want to investigate further in my driveway at minus 25. 

A block heater is something you don't want to be without.

Yeah, I’m not happy.

I did take another quick look just now, but you can’t see anything from the top side. Would have to pull off the plastic undertray and look from the bottom.

I guess I’ll call the dealer tomorrow and make an appointment. It’ll probably be two weeks before they get me in, and by then it will probably be plus 5 again.   

I just looked at their online service scheduler: first available appointment is January 30. 

Check the fuse?

[EV Dan]

I'm now living by the lake and I have a very steep but short access road to drive up to the main road. Thanks to a shift in the wind last night we got a lot of lake effect snow and the access road is snow covered and very slippery. Took me 3 attempts to get up it this morning, have to love one wheel drive. Might have to trade in for a Subaru if this weather keeps up.

Even saw a few pickups in 4x struggling up. Still waiting for the Cybertruck to come by and show everybody how it is done. 

One wheel drive, are you still riding a bicycle?   

Drop tire pressure on the driving wheels, it should help a little.

[quadzilla]

I'm now living by the lake and I have a very steep but short access road to drive up to the main road. Thanks to a shift in the wind last night we got a lot of lake effect snow and the access road is snow covered and very slippery. Took me 3 attempts to get up it this morning, have to love one wheel drive. Might have to trade in for a Subaru if this weather keeps up.

Even saw a few pickups in 4x struggling up. Still waiting for the Cybertruck to come by and show everybody how it is done. 

One wheel drive, are you still riding a bicycle?   

Drop tire pressure on the driving wheels, it should help a little.

I would have made it up first try on my bike as I run studded tires.

So drop the tire pressure, drive 25m up the hill, stop, pump up tire pressure?  Think I'll stick with a longer run before the hill to gain some speed and hope for no cross traffic.

[HeliDriver]

So, I’m more than a little pissed to discover the Crosstrek’s block heater isn’t working. Thought I just hadn’t plugged it in properly, but nope. Open circuit when tested with a multi meter, so seems the thing is dead. 

Minus 32 when I started it on Friday. Minus 25 when I started it yesterday. It was painful to listen to each time, but it did start.

Don’t want to make a trip to the dealer, and also don’t want to investigate further in my driveway at minus 25. 

A block heater is something you don't want to be without.

Yeah, I’m not happy.

I did take another quick look just now, but you can’t see anything from the top side. Would have to pull off the plastic undertray and look from the bottom.

I guess I’ll call the dealer tomorrow and make an appointment. It’ll probably be two weeks before they get me in, and by then it will probably be plus 5 again.   

I just looked at their online service scheduler: first available appointment is January 30. 

Check the fuse?

If there’s a fuse, it must be at the block heater end. There’s nothing in the cord near the plug end.

So, back to the original problem: without jacking up the car and removing undertray, can’t see anything beyond the plug and the first three inches of cord.

[PJungnitsch]

I'm now living by the lake and I have a very steep but short access road to drive up to the main road. Thanks to a shift in the wind last night we got a lot of lake effect snow and the access road is snow covered and very slippery. Took me 3 attempts to get up it this morning, have to love one wheel drive. Might have to trade in for a Subaru if this weather keeps up.

Even saw a few pickups in 4x struggling up. Still waiting for the Cybertruck to come by and show everybody how it is done. 

One wheel drive, are you still riding a bicycle?   

Drop tire pressure on the driving wheels, it should help a little.

I would have made it up first try on my bike as I run studded tires.

So drop the tire pressure, drive 25m up the hill, stop, pump up tire pressure?  Think I'll stick with a longer run before the hill to gain some speed and hope for no cross traffic.

I had a set of strap type tire chains (the kind that wrap through the rim) for that type of thing when I was driving 2WD vehicles. Was a huge help in low speed no traction situations

[Gurgie]

I'm now living by the lake and I have a very steep but short access road to drive up to the main road. Thanks to a shift in the wind last night we got a lot of lake effect snow and the access road is snow covered and very slippery. Took me 3 attempts to get up it this morning, have to love one wheel drive. Might have to trade in for a Subaru if this weather keeps up.

Even saw a few pickups in 4x struggling up. Still waiting for the Cybertruck to come by and show everybody how it is done. 

One wheel drive, are you still riding a bicycle?   

Drop tire pressure on the driving wheels, it should help a little.

I would have made it up first try on my bike as I run studded tires.

So drop the tire pressure, drive 25m up the hill, stop, pump up tire pressure?  Think I'll stick with a longer run before the hill to gain some speed and hope for no cross traffic.

Reverse up the hill, puts more weight on the front tires & they now push up instead of pulling as the weight transfers back going forwards.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

[rrocket]

I'm now living by the lake and I have a very steep but short access road to drive up to the main road. Thanks to a shift in the wind last night we got a lot of lake effect snow and the access road is snow covered and very slippery. Took me 3 attempts to get up it this morning, have to love one wheel drive. Might have to trade in for a Subaru if this weather keeps up.

Even saw a few pickups in 4x struggling up. Still waiting for the Cybertruck to come by and show everybody how it is done. 

One wheel drive, are you still riding a bicycle?   

Drop tire pressure on the driving wheels, it should help a little.

I would have made it up first try on my bike as I run studded tires.

So drop the tire pressure, drive 25m up the hill, stop, pump up tire pressure?  Think I'll stick with a longer run before the hill to gain some speed and hope for no cross traffic.

Reverse up the hill, puts more weight on the front tires & they now push up instead of pulling as the weight transfers back going forwards.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

You forget the e-brake part at the top of the hill so your're all turned around when you park!! LOL [emoji38]

[Gurgie]

I'm now living by the lake and I have a very steep but short access road to drive up to the main road. Thanks to a shift in the wind last night we got a lot of lake effect snow and the access road is snow covered and very slippery. Took me 3 attempts to get up it this morning, have to love one wheel drive. Might have to trade in for a Subaru if this weather keeps up.

Even saw a few pickups in 4x struggling up. Still waiting for the Cybertruck to come by and show everybody how it is done. 

One wheel drive, are you still riding a bicycle?   

Drop tire pressure on the driving wheels, it should help a little.

I would have made it up first try on my bike as I run studded tires.

So drop the tire pressure, drive 25m up the hill, stop, pump up tire pressure?  Think I'll stick with a longer run before the hill to gain some speed and hope for no cross traffic.

Reverse up the hill, puts more weight on the front tires & they now push up instead of pulling as the weight transfers back going forwards.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

You forget the e-brake part at the top of the hill so your're all turned around when you park!! LOL [emoji38]

No handbrake required in reverse, Rockford turn at the top


Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

[EV Dan]

I'm now living by the lake and I have a very steep but short access road to drive up to the main road. Thanks to a shift in the wind last night we got a lot of lake effect snow and the access road is snow covered and very slippery. Took me 3 attempts to get up it this morning, have to love one wheel drive. Might have to trade in for a Subaru if this weather keeps up.

Even saw a few pickups in 4x struggling up. Still waiting for the Cybertruck to come by and show everybody how it is done. 

One wheel drive, are you still riding a bicycle?   

Drop tire pressure on the driving wheels, it should help a little.

I would have made it up first try on my bike as I run studded tires.

So drop the tire pressure, drive 25m up the hill, stop, pump up tire pressure?  Think I'll stick with a longer run before the hill to gain some speed and hope for no cross traffic.

I meant if it e.g. says 33psi on the door jamb, I'd run it at 30-31 psi for as long as it's slippery there. It will reduce the gas mileage and wear the tires a bit more but will improve traction, especially in fresh snow.

[rrocket]

I'm now living by the lake and I have a very steep but short access road to drive up to the main road. Thanks to a shift in the wind last night we got a lot of lake effect snow and the access road is snow covered and very slippery. Took me 3 attempts to get up it this morning, have to love one wheel drive. Might have to trade in for a Subaru if this weather keeps up.

Even saw a few pickups in 4x struggling up. Still waiting for the Cybertruck to come by and show everybody how it is done. 

One wheel drive, are you still riding a bicycle?   

Drop tire pressure on the driving wheels, it should help a little.

I would have made it up first try on my bike as I run studded tires.

So drop the tire pressure, drive 25m up the hill, stop, pump up tire pressure?  Think I'll stick with a longer run before the hill to gain some speed and hope for no cross traffic.

I meant if it e.g. says 33psi on the door jamb, I'd run it at 30-31 psi for as long as it's slippery there. It will reduce the gas mileage and wear the tires a bit more but will improve traction, especially in fresh snow.

You will see zero difference with a mere 2-3 psi change in winter.

Old wives tale.

[Firm]

I'm now living by the lake and I have a very steep but short access road to drive up to the main road. Thanks to a shift in the wind last night we got a lot of lake effect snow and the access road is snow covered and very slippery. Took me 3 attempts to get up it this morning, have to love one wheel drive. Might have to trade in for a Subaru if this weather keeps up.

Even saw a few pickups in 4x struggling up. Still waiting for the Cybertruck to come by and show everybody how it is done. 

One wheel drive, are you still riding a bicycle?   

Drop tire pressure on the driving wheels, it should help a little.

I would have made it up first try on my bike as I run studded tires.

So drop the tire pressure, drive 25m up the hill, stop, pump up tire pressure?  Think I'll stick with a longer run before the hill to gain some speed and hope for no cross traffic.

Reverse up the hill, puts more weight on the front tires & they now push up instead of pulling as the weight transfers back going forwards.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

This. Ran into a similar situation at a friends cottage one year, got snowed in good overnight. We had some FWD unit, Intrepid maybe (wasn't mine) and after a few failed attempts the reversing trick worked well.

[ktm525]

So, I’m more than a little pissed to discover the Crosstrek’s block heater isn’t working. Thought I just hadn’t plugged it in properly, but nope. Open circuit when tested with a multi meter, so seems the thing is dead. 

Minus 32 when I started it on Friday. Minus 25 when I started it yesterday. It was painful to listen to each time, but it did start.

Don’t want to make a trip to the dealer, and also don’t want to investigate further in my driveway at minus 25. 

A block heater is something you don't want to be without.

Yeah, I’m not happy.

I did take another quick look just now, but you can’t see anything from the top side. Would have to pull off the plastic undertray and look from the bottom.

I guess I’ll call the dealer tomorrow and make an appointment. It’ll probably be two weeks before they get me in, and by then it will probably be plus 5 again.   

I just looked at their online service scheduler: first available appointment is January 30. 

Check the fuse?

If there’s a fuse, it must be at the block heater end. There’s nothing in the cord near the plug end.

So, back to the original problem: without jacking up the car and removing undertray, can’t see anything beyond the plug and the first three inches of cord.

They are not that complicated. I bet the cord end towards the engine wasn't pushed onto the connectors hard enough. Or they didn't install it and all you have is a cord. Either way would show open circuit?

[sailor723]

Question for you guys that regularly need block heaters. Do you also use one of those battery warmer covers?  What about leaving a trickle charger on? Would that help?

[bridgecity]

No battery blankets on our vehicles, although I imagine it would help prevent dead batteries. I’ve heard plenty of stories over the last few days of new vehicles not starting after sitting outside overnight. Batteries are dead, killed by the cold. A quick boost and they’re off to the races, until sitting overnight in the cold again.

[PJungnitsch]

Our RX doesn't have a block heater, it's always started but but I'll put the battery on trickle charge when it's very cold and that does seem to help. Will sometimes get the oddball low battery messages otherwise too when it's very cold

[ktm525]

So much stress starting engine at -30. Yes it starts but at what cost? Block heater gets that coolant and then oil warm.

[Bubba]

So much stress starting engine at -30. Yes it starts but at what cost? Block heater gets that coolant and then oil warm.

Started my car at -24C air temp yesterday; coolant was +10C.  Block heater was doing its job. 

[erich]

After a day parked outside at work, the block heater makes a big difference in how soon the  heating comes on