Time to Plug in the Car - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 12-06-2005, 09:03 PM

I just checked the temperature and it's +3 F here, and it's only 7 PM. It's supposed to be -7 F tonight. I think I better plug in the block heater on the wife's 240D before I go to bed. It starts pretty well and it's in the garage, but -7 is probably pushing it.

braverichard · #2 12-06-2005, 09:32 PM

I couldn't believe how quickly these engines lose heat when it is very cold outside. I drove my car for about 40 minutes today before I arrived at my destination. It achieved operating temperature of 80 C alright, but after I parked it for just 1 hour 15 minutes in 21 F weather, the coolant temperature gauge was showing just 50 C.

#3 12-06-2005, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braverichard

I couldn't believe how quickly these engines lose heat when it is very cold outside. I drove my car for about 40 minutes today before I arrived at my destination. It achieved operating temperature of 80 C alright, but after I parked it for just 1 hour 15 minutes in 21 F weather, the coolant temperature gauge was showing just 50 C.

Yup, 50 C is about 120 F, so that's a 100 F temperature difference to the air. That 100 F will drive quite a bit of convective heat transfer.

braverichard · #4 12-06-2005, 09:44 PM

Very true. It is amazing when you think of it: in the summer, you can park your car outside and then go back two hours later and still be able to start it without even using the glow plugs. In the winter, you can leave your car outside for just an hour and still the car would struggle to start-up after one glow plug cycle, of course depending on the outside temperature. I'm currently at my girlfriend's place, I just plugged mine in so I can leave in three hours' or so without issues. Current outside temp: 12 F. We should hit 3 F into the night.

#5 12-06-2005, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braverichard

I'm currently at my girlfriend's place, I just plugged mine in so I can leave in three hours' or so without issues.

Well, you're a fun date. You're at your girlfriends, but your talking to us. You're not supposed to do that until you're married.

braverichard · #6 12-06-2005, 09:52 PM

I wouldn't be on her computer typing away on this forum if she and her girlfriends would stop talking and laughing. Hell, those girls need to go home now but they don't even seem to be about ready to roll. So I left the living room and came here. Some peace!

#7 12-06-2005, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braverichard

I wouldn't be on her computer typing away on this forum if she and her girlfriends would stop talking and laughing.

sailor15015 · #8 12-07-2005, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Well, you're a fun date. You're at your girlfriends, but your talking to us. You're not supposed to do that until you're married.

Lol. I do that all the time. Half of my posts/readings are from my girlfriend's house. She has two younger sisters, 12 and 4, two big inside dogs, and a dad who still thinks he's a teenager. I'm an only child and am used to my quiet time. I sneek into the computer room when I feel the need to get away from the dull roar.

Diesel Giant · #9 12-07-2005, 02:23 AM

Thats funny. I go to the computer to get away from my Doberman Pincher. She get real jealous of another German in the driveway.

braverichard · #10 12-07-2005, 08:28 AM

I sneak into my girlfriend's room when she and her girlfriends are running their mouths in the living room...

But now I am home in the comfort of my room. We're expecting 6-8 inches of snow starting around 2pm so I don't think I'll be running around much today. I won't even show up for work; I just called my employees and told them I won't be there but will be taking care of business from home.