How do 190Ds start in cold weather ?

[kamil]

Hey,

I am already thinking winter mode especially when it comes to doing maintenence. I have bought a few spare parts ie. glow plugs, glow plug relay just in case. This will be our first winter with the w201 diesels and I am wondering how well do these little cars operate in the cold ? Both of them run perfectly and start with no cranking at all during the summer.

Will I have to plug them in ?

Thanks

[jaoneill]

Originally Posted by kamil

Hey,

I am wondering how well do these little cars operate in the cold ? Both of them run perfectly and start with no cranking at all during the summer.

Will I have to plug them in ?

Thanks

If you plan to keep them it would be wise to plug them in. We plug everything in once the temps drop below 10 degrees (f),it significantly shortens the time the engine runs before oil is up to pressure.

That said, my 190D 2.2 went through last winter with no starting issues at all. The two or three times that it sat for 8-10 hours in open parking lots at -25 degrees it fired right up with no problem.

Good luck,
Jim

[cornblatt]

I've started mine (not plugged in) without problems as low as -5°F (-20°C). It starts and keeps going; it doesn't die or stall. However, when you do start it at this temperature (again, cold-start, not plugged in), it doesn't like it! There can be a lot of smoke, and definitely a reduction in power until the engine warms up. This has to be harder on the engine than a warm start. (* the post-glow glow plug relay we discussed in another thread may address the smoking) I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil, which is supposed to help with cold starts (less viscous than conventional oil).

I've also driven the 190D in temperatures as low as -30°F (-34°C) without issues (thankfully the weather hasn't been colder than that!). When it's that cold out, the temperature gauge plummets whenever the engine is idling, even at traffic lights, since the car burns so little fuel at idle.

But, just because a -5°F (-20°C) start is possible, I still don't do it regularly. I try to plug the car in whenever I am able to, but I also only plug it in for 1 or 2 hours before driving, even if it's very cold. It's not necessary to leave it plugged in overnight - that's just a waste of energy. You don't need to boil the coolant; you just need to get the engine a little less cold.

The heater is great; on winter mornings, hot air is coming out within 1/2 mile of leaving the house (and that's with the aux coolant pump removed).

Overall, I haven't had any major problems with the 190D in the cold. The biggest inconvenience with cold, cold weather is the drop in fuel economy. I don't know if it's the winter fuel or the cold weather or some combination...

[kamil]

so there would be no need for me to plug it in if it gets around 20F ?

[cornblatt]

so there would be no need for me to plug it in if it gets around 20F ?

At +20°F, there's no way you should ever need to plug it in (unless there's something seriously wrong with the car). Aside from the longer pre-glow time, it should start just as easily at 20°F as it does at 60°F. I wish that 20°F was the coldest temperature I had to deal with!

[kamil]

Originally Posted by cornblatt

At +20°F, there's no way you should ever need to plug it in (unless there's something seriously wrong with the car). Aside from the longer pre-glow time, it should start just as easily at 20°F as it does at 60°F. I wish that 20°F was the coldest temperature I had to deal with!

sometimes it does get colder but very rarely.