Extreme cold weather effects on my car
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 131
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From: Toronto, ON
2002 C230 Coupe & 2010 C300 Sport
Extreme cold weather effects on my car
I've noticed when the temp dips around and below 10 deg C, my steering wheel does not go to it's programmed position when I start the car. This only happens when the car has been sitting over night. If the car is warm and is started, the steering wheel goes to it's programmed position.
Another thing I noticed this morning (-23 deg C before windchill) was that my window wipers would not work at all. There was no ice stopping them the arms from moving, they just wouldn't move. Not too sure how to feel about this. From one side, I get that extreme cold has its effects but on the other side, you would think this sort of thing is tested. Anyway, I'll report back and let everyone know if they work on my commute home tonight.
Anyone else experience any odd behavior from their cars in extreme cold?
Another thing I noticed this morning (-23 deg C before windchill) was that my window wipers would not work at all. There was no ice stopping them the arms from moving, they just wouldn't move. Not too sure how to feel about this. From one side, I get that extreme cold has its effects but on the other side, you would think this sort of thing is tested. Anyway, I'll report back and let everyone know if they work on my commute home tonight.
Anyone else experience any odd behavior from their cars in extreme cold?
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Everything has worked fine on mine. It sits in a heated garage at night, but sits outside during the day.
The only thing I noticed this morning is that my turbo was a lot more audible than it usually is. I've noticed that it is louder when it is cold out before, though.
The only thing I noticed this morning is that my turbo was a lot more audible than it usually is. I've noticed that it is louder when it is cold out before, though.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Saskatoon, SK CANADA
W205 c400 sport
I get a warning to check my coolant level when started below -30 C. The coolant level is fine. Just a regular warning not the red ones. Other than that it starts up fine.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 134
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From: Montreal
C350 2010, BMW 325i 2001, Porsche turbo 996 2002.
My car sits outside all the time and we had -27 for three days last week. My BMW refuse to start but the MB did. There was some strange noise coming out of the engine compartment for about 10 seconds, like a strap slipping but very soft sound and every thing works fine, wiper, turn off lights, steering, trunk…. Except the windows!!! All the windows refuse to lower…It is like that every time it is cold below minus 10 C….But I am happy with the heated seats ;-)
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 131
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From: Toronto, ON
2002 C230 Coupe & 2010 C300 Sport
Update - on the drive home, the wipers worked as per normal. The steering column didn't go to it's programmed position.
Seems like most people experience some sort of issues...
Seems like most people experience some sort of issues...
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Joined: Aug 2011
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2011 C300 4matic sport
I had a "no navigation" message on my COMAND for the first 15 minutes of driving after sitting overnight in Chicago (-27C). The hard drive must've been too cold to spin up or whatever. Nothing else so far. I did have windows that wouldn't open as well, but it was because they had moisture in the gap that froze and caused some resistance and then the window motor stopped automatically. Fixed once the ice melted.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Left work and came out to +9*, a car crying about a low tire and complaints to check the left cornering lamp. The cornering lamp wasn't dead, but apparently it was so cold the resistance was all off for the lamp check.
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Joined: May 2013
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From: Chicago, IL
2009 MB C350 Sport
Chicago, Tuesday 1/7/14, morning around 6:30am, car was sitting curbside all day and night, -43F (with windchill) at start up there was a noise from the engine compartment for just a split second sounding like a high pitch scream. Well I'm kinda not surprised I wanted scream too being so cold lol. Other than that no issues. Oh two more things: 1. frozen windows but that's normal; 2. slipping and sliding - C350 non 4matic :p I guess that's normal too...
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Joined: Nov 2013
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From: NY
2012 C63 AMG, 2009 C300 4matic
On cold days (anything below 0 F) my steering column will not move into the programmed position & sometimes i get a coolant low warning (not a red warning). If you wait for the car to fully warm up, all these problems seem to go away. I'd recommend running your car for at least 10 - 15 minutes before driving anywhere on days like that.
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Warming a car up by idling is inefficient and does more harm than good.
Get in it, start it up, wait 30 seconds or such for the oil pressure to come up and the idle to come down, drive off and drive gently until it comes up to operating temperature.
Get in it, start it up, wait 30 seconds or such for the oil pressure to come up and the idle to come down, drive off and drive gently until it comes up to operating temperature.
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From: Toronto, ON
2002 C230 Coupe & 2010 C300 Sport
Originally Posted by MDMercedesGuy
Warming a car up by idling is inefficient and does more harm than good.
Get in it, start it up, wait 30 seconds or such for the oil pressure to come up and the idle to come down, drive off and drive gently until it comes up to operating temperature.
Get in it, start it up, wait 30 seconds or such for the oil pressure to come up and the idle to come down, drive off and drive gently until it comes up to operating temperature.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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2012 C250
Here in Chicago I had my 250 sitting outside for 8 hours twice between -13*F and -8*F. Engine chugged along a bit more noisily than usual, but it started right up and never skipped a beat. Great little car. Stability control is really solid too.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Toronto, ON
2002 C230 Coupe & 2010 C300 Sport
What specifically do you mean the column doesn't go to its preset position, that the wheel doesn't want to return to center, or that the entire column doesn't motor to where you programmed it (a la easy entry / exit)?
Here in Chicago I had my 250 sitting outside for 8 hours twice between -13*F and -8*F. Engine chugged along a bit more noisily than usual, but it started right up and never skipped a beat. Great little car. Stability control is really solid too.
Here in Chicago I had my 250 sitting outside for 8 hours twice between -13*F and -8*F. Engine chugged along a bit more noisily than usual, but it started right up and never skipped a beat. Great little car. Stability control is really solid too.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
idling the car while cold just increases the length of time the car is run when cold. Further, it does little to heat the transmission fluid.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 40
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From: Calgary, Canada
2025 GLC300 4Matic
My salesman advised me to turn off this feature during the winter as ther is a lot of "dirt" on the roads and it may jam due to freezing nd dirt. Make a lot of sense given that changes in temperature from day to day are on average 20 degrees here and road aare wet during the day. So I do not use that feature (turned it off) duringwinter.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 131
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From: Toronto, ON
2002 C230 Coupe & 2010 C300 Sport
My salesman advised me to turn off this feature during the winter as ther is a lot of "dirt" on the roads and it may jam due to freezing nd dirt. Make a lot of sense given that changes in temperature from day to day are on average 20 degrees here and road aare wet during the day. So I do not use that feature (turned it off) duringwinter.
