This is a last year story, but what the heck.. it fits the topic.
Car sat out all day in a parking lot, approximately 9-10 hours. I tried to start the car when it was approximately -1F or so and totally assumed the car was dead.
As I cranked, I could count the revolutions it was so slow. It sounded like a gas car turning over with an almost completely dead battery. It began to turn over faster and faster and faster. Finally started and stumbled as it warmed up a bit.
This is not a bad scenario considering:
-18 year old car, spent all of its life in Canada
-Battery of unknown age. It's an Interstate, but I have had the car 3 years and it came with it. Estimate it's probably 5+ years old.
-15W40 Shell Rotella T -- dino oil, NOT synthetic
-No block heater plugged in. As a matter of fact, I've never used it.
-Two glow cycles. That's the first time I've done that.. usually only do one but it was so cold out I was scared to try just one in case it wouldn't start.
Oh yeah, wife had called me 5 mins before stranded with a flat tire. I had to get my car started and be at her location which was 20 minutes away, ASAP.
Changing a tire in -1F weather with an MB original jack is hell.
Talk about an adventerous day... And the funny thing is, I've learned nothing from the experience. Still have the same old battery in my car, never put synthetic in, and have MB jacks in both cars.
I must be a sucker for punishment. If I ever get frostbite I'll have nobody to blame but myself
Neal