Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

I don't really warm my car up. Per manufacturer, you don't really need to and I don't have a remote starter because I drive a manual. Tire pressure a possibility. Plus cold weather impacts your gas/water content, right?

You don't NEED to warm up your car, but I prefer getting into a warm car rather than one that's been sitting in sub-zero temps all day.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

You don't NEED to warm up your car, but I prefer getting into a warm car rather than one that's been sitting in sub-zero temps all day.

Meh. I do too, but I prefer to be driving to a warm destination, rather than wait for it to warm up. Plus at work, it's far to get to my car and turn it on and then wait.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

I don't really warm my car up. Per manufacturer, you don't really need to and I don't have a remote starter because I drive a manual. Tire pressure a possibility. Plus cold weather impacts your gas/water content, right?

I’m not sure gas:water is any different in the summer or winter. That probably has more to do with where you get gas.

I’m guessing it is almost entirely tire pressure (you lose about 10-15% per 5 psi and dropping 30 degrees has dropped my tire pressure about 5 psi) and the way you drive. In the winter it’s probably more stop and go and you don’t drive as fast. Additionally, if you have AWD, it’s going to make it suffer even more as power is transferred less to the front wheels and more to the rear giving you a characteristic 4WD inefficiency.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

Meh. I do too, but I prefer to be driving to a warm destination, rather than wait for it to warm up. Plus at work, it's far to get to my car and turn it on and then wait.

I have it nice at my building. I'm the only car there at night, so when my UPS guy shows up, I run out start it, and it runs for about 10 minutes while he loads up and then I lock up.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

I have it nice at my building. I'm the only car there at night, so when my UPS guy shows up, I run out start it, and it runs for about 10 minutes while he loads up and then I lock up.

At least on night shift I get to park in the lot somewhat near my Unit or in the garage that is reasonably close. Day shift parks off site and takes a shuttle several miles to the hospital. I did that for a hot minute when I was on orientation and it SUCKED.

I’m not sure gas:water is any different in the summer or winter. That probably has more to do with where you get gas.

I’m guessing it is almost entirely tire pressure (you lose about 10-15% per 5 psi and dropping 30 degrees has dropped my tire pressure about 5 psi) and the way you drive. In the winter it’s probably more stop and go and you don’t drive as fast. Additionally, if you have AWD, it’s going to make it suffer even more as power is transferred less to the front wheels and more to the rear giving you a characteristic 4WD inefficiency.

Makes sense.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

To be fair, I could be completely full of sh|t here too.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

To be fair, I could be completely full of sh|t here too.

I can only think of condensation in the gas line/tank, but wouldn't that be indicative of a bigger problem than weather? FTR, I know little about the workings of cars.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

Good morning to tLodge!

Waiting for snowpocolypse to begin. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 12", with localized amounts up to 16 " in Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts are expected. Plus some very high winds. Gonna be a fun day.

The biggest drop in MPG and performance comes from winter-blend fuel which has less efficient combustion than regular fuel. And even without warming up, the engine needs to work harder when the oil is cold. Plus, extremely cold air has less oxygen (think of how uncomfortable it is to breathe). Tire pressure probably adds a little to the equation as well.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

Good Morning, MEUSA!


Good Morning to the rest of tLodge!

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

Good morning to tLodge!

Waiting for snowpocolypse to begin. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 12", with localized amounts up to 16 " in Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts are expected. Plus some very high winds. Gonna be a fun day.

The biggest drop in MPG and performance comes from winter-blend fuel which has less efficient combustion than regular fuel. And even without warming up, the engine needs to work harder when the oil is cold. Plus, extremely cold air has less oxygen (think of how uncomfortable it is to breathe). Tire pressure probably adds a little to the equation as well.

It looks the forecasters were pretty accurate for this one in 202-land. The brunt of the storm has stayed east of us and we only have an inch if the measuring device has shrunk because of the cold. I had no trouble walking to the Safeway/Starbucks at 5 AM with a shopping cart.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

Wind is blowing crazy here... hard to tell how much white stuff thus far. At times it's a virtual white-out when looking outside.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

Good morning Lodge. Office is closed. We were all planning to work from home today, trying to determine if that means I don’t have to take the five conference calls I have today - ha ha! One meeting I will cancel as it was supposed to be an on-site. I hope to do a few other things around the house today, like take down my tree, maybe do a load of laundry...

I put my car in the T garage last night. Hopefully the plow will clear out my spot tonight. As the snow started a few hours later than they said, I’m sure it will end much later. I may work from home tomorrow too.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

Currently under blizzard conditions which are likely to continue for at least the next 2-3 hours. They're saying this is the 5th most powerful winter storm to hit this area, and it's a long way from over.

Radar is crazy; showing some really heavy bands of snow. Winds are howling like a 747 is sitting in my backyard. Every once in a while the house seems to shudder from the gusts.

I hope everyone in the path of the storm is in a safe place and won't need to be out in this mess.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

I’m not sure gas:water is any different in the summer or winter. That probably has more to do with where you get gas.

I’m guessing it is almost entirely tire pressure (you lose about 10-15% per 5 psi and dropping 30 degrees has dropped my tire pressure about 5 psi) and the way you drive. In the winter it’s probably more stop and go and you don’t drive as fast. Additionally, if you have AWD, it’s going to make it suffer even more as power is transferred less to the front wheels and more to the rear giving you a characteristic 4WD inefficiency.

Every spring and autumn the oil refineries that supply gasoline and diesel to the northern states go through what's called a "turn around" event. In addition to executing widespread maintenance, they're also converting to the fuel they produce, dependent upon the season. "Summer" fuel is different than "winter" fuel. The summer has more detergents added while the winter blend has something else - memory's getting fuzzy on this. My father worked for the former Koch Refinery in Rosemount, and he'd talk about this a lot during those two weeks of the year.

These turnarounds are why we'll see a two-week spike in fuel prices even when there's no natural disaster or world crisis happening that would impact supply during the spring and autumn. Refinery A is going through its turnaround one week, and Refinery B is going through theirs the next. The two refineries in the Twin Cities have to register with the state's commerce department so that the two suppliers aren't down at the same time. A few years ago, the commerce department screwed up, assigned both refineries the same week, and prices jumped something like $0.50 for the one week while local gas stations had to scramble in order to find suppliers from other parts of the country.

 

[leswp1]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

Morning
614a

Good night les

Pre-emptive good afternoon as I was going to be on late this morning?

Good morning to tLodge!

Waiting for snowpocolypse to begin. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 12", with localized amounts up to 16 " in Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts are expected. Plus some very high winds. Gonna be a fun day.

The biggest drop in MPG and performance comes from winter-blend fuel which has less efficient combustion than regular fuel. And even without warming up, the engine needs to work harder when the oil is cold. Plus, extremely cold air has less oxygen (think of how uncomfortable it is to breathe). Tire pressure probably adds a little to the equation as well.

Every spring and autumn the oil refineries that supply gasoline and diesel to the northern states go through what's called a "turn around" event. In addition to executing widespread maintenance, they're also converting to the fuel they produce, dependent upon the season. "Summer" fuel is different than "winter" fuel. The summer has more detergents added while the winter blend has something else - memory's getting fuzzy on this. My father worked for the former Koch Refinery in Rosemount, and he'd talk about this a lot during those two weeks of the year.

These turnarounds are why we'll see a two-week spike in fuel prices even when there's no natural disaster or world crisis happening that would impact supply during the spring and autumn. Refinery A is going through its turnaround one week, and Refinery B is going through theirs the next. The two refineries in the Twin Cities have to register with the state's commerce department so that the two suppliers aren't down at the same time. A few years ago, the commerce department screwed up, assigned both refineries the same week, and prices jumped something like $0.50 for the one week while local gas stations had to scramble in order to find suppliers from other parts of the country.

I learn so much weird stuff on this thread.

Good Morning Lodge!

Snowing like mad but the real storm isn't here yet. lil left right as it started to snow. First flurries when he started to load the car. In the less than 10 min he was putting stuff in it there was an inch already

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

My area got a dusting of snow. Now its just high winds and cold air.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

"Summer" fuel is different than "winter" fuel. The summer has more detergents added while the winter blend has something else - memory's getting fuzzy on this.

Typically (more) butane is added to the fuel in winter to increase the RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure).

 

[leswp1]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

Snowmageddon is looking impressive!

 

[mookie1995]

Pre-emptive good afternoon as I was going to be on late this morning?

Gotcha

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 194: What to do now that winter has really started?

Oh, it's snowing. Guess I'll just blow it out of the way and continue on with life.