Coolant in very cold weather (Alps)

[richjthorpe]

Hi all,

My wife's parents have a new A4 Cabriolet 3.2 (Fantastic, shame it's in auto) and are driving to the Alps going skiing next week. They also have a '98 Audi Cabriolet that they drove last year to the Alps but was noted that the engine temp guage didn't move on the guage while being out there it was so cold (-10 at times).

My father in law is worried about the extreme weather with a brand new engine with only a few thousand miles on it and wondered if there was anything he could do to protect the engine or if the engine would be fine.

Any ideas ?

Thanks,

Richie.

[RickT]

In regards to the gauge not moving on the old car... i would say that there was a problem with the thermosat on the car... at -10 the engine temp will go to normallrunning temp, it may just take a little longer than normal... ie a few minutes longer..

Coolant, the standard is 50% Coolant, 50% water... If you want to ensure that this does not freeze, drain the system and do a 70% 30 % maybe..

However i have been in my A4 here in the UK at -6 and had no issue...

One of the main things is when you start the car when cold.. just let it run on idle for a min or so.. and dont over rev when cold.

Antifreeze, despite the name, serves a dual purpose. It
keeps the necessary coolant in the engine from freezing
in low temperatures and acts as an engine coolant in
high temperatures. Antifreeze, usually ethylene glycol,
has a higher boiling temperature and a lower freezing
temperature than water. Antifreeze always needs to be
diluted with water. The standard ratio for most cars is
50/50 antifreeze to water.

RickT

[devonutopia]

Drain some off and slap some antifreeze in it.

I would say a modern engine should cope with the climate being a bit colder fine - more so than an older engine. I reckon the 3.2 will provide solid reliability, if perhaps a little too much fuel guzzling. I reckon that lump might drink a few tankfuls on the way over there.

[richjthorpe]

I reckon that lump might drink a few tankfuls on the way over there.

Yeah, but think of the fun !

Thanks for your replies all.

Richie.

[Snowdance38]

I do not think there will be a problem.. Its common for us to have -10 F or -23C temps all the time.. Never had any problems..

Best part of having those temps often is the heated seats.. Love those things..