Quote:
Originally posted by ck98vteC
Does a battery blanket really help? and where can i get one?
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Well around here they are at pretty much at every automotive outlet and yes they help tremendously. At sub-zero temperatures your Cold Cranking Amps really start to drop off fast. At something like -20*C you are at about 50% of your CCA. So if you keep the battery warm then you have much more juice to crank it over. Ever seen the battery in the Civic? They are fricken tiny! Not much for CCA as it is, then when it turns cold it's even worse. My dealer here tries to sell a Blanket and Block Heater on every car they sell.
I actually have the Blanket, Block Heater and an Interior car warmer. The interior warmer keeps the chill off the inside of the car and keeps all the windows defrosted.
I never usually plug my car in unless it's colder than -15*C. I just start it up and let it idle longer when it's not plugged in.
I have started my car in temps as low as -30*C before without being plugged in, so any of you guys that are worried about your -10*C or whatever it's really nothing. I don't recommend starting your car in -30 without being plugged in though. It's really hard on your engine. I've been stuck in locations where I could not plug in and it turned dreadfully cold overnight.
I also have two sets of tires, my stock wheels and winter rubber on steel rims and I swap them back and forth from season to season. We have to winterize pretty good here.
After typing all of that it makes me wonder why I still live here!
