Eau_Rouge

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?

JaredP

I started my car at -54C (plugged in) this passed Saturday, accessories were working fine after it warmed up a little. I don't think the extreme cold weather of -23C is your problem.

MDMercedesGuy

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.

Blazeitup123

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.

Das Benzo

I noticed this morning in the low 20's that my car had considerably worse MPG than on a warmer day.

jpflip

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 ;-)

Eau_Rouge

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...

LouZ

At +2 today, got a low coolant level warning, low tire pressures, and the engine made some odd sounds till it warmed up.

global33

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.

MDMercedesGuy

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.

spyked

I didn't start mine today. Figured the door handle would break in this freezing weather.

ChitownBabyBenz

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...

jbickford

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.

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.

Eau_Rouge

This is exactly what I do. I also don't rev the engine past 2k RPM until the temp gauge climbs over 40.



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adanmtxt1

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.

Eau_Rouge

When I insert the key and start the car, the steering wheel stays up in the easy entry/exit position. This happened again this morning. When I got in and started the car, it was -13.5 deg C. After the car is warm, if I start it, the steering wheel will move from the easy enrty/exit position and to the position that I've programmed it to when driving.

Quadcammer

correct.

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.

Pete7874

Self-folding outside mirrors on our C300 have failed in this weather.

Waldi12

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.

Pete7874

Yeah, that's what I have subsequently learned on this forum, too. Unfortunately, my salesperson/dealer never mentioned it.

Eau_Rouge

I haven't done this but I will now. Thanks for posting.

chris5949

In the cold morning like the last few day the first few miles I feel like something loose under the car