Question 97 E300 in Northern Climates
 

I am thinking about selling my 210 to my son who lives in Indiannapolis.

Since I live in Florida, I have never encountered cold weather starts and traction issues. To those who live in NH and Minnesota latitudes, what is your experience with 0 degree F starts and traction? My car is maintained to the extreme so starting after an overnight cold soak is the only concern. The car would be parked outside all the time.

Someone posted about snow driving so I got that, but what about day to day ice patches?

I used to live in upstate NY so I know about melt and refreeze. I only remember that MB's were notorious for bad traction in the winter, but my info might be dated.

Thanks

I have a 1998 E300D TurboDiesel, and I have had no problems starting in sub-zero Fahrenheit temperatures, as long as the glow plugs are all functional. As for traction, my car has the ASD feature, which I find pretty useless. Tires are likely the most influential factor - I use an all season tire and have had very few instances in 100,000 miles of driving where traction was an issue and never at any normal driving speeds. The traction control system seems to be ok with underpowering the car to the point where you can't lug it up a hill in low traction situations like you can a typical W123 with a manual transmission. I was surprised to hear people think those cars were poor performers in the snow. I loved all my 240Ds and never, ever got stuck, or had to turn back due to snow. One must be careful when taking the foot off the throttle as on really slick surfaces that is like pulling the emergency brake. The rear wheels lose traction and slow to less than the vehicle speed by the engine compression. One must push the clutch in before taking the right foot off the throttle. Jim

Starting is not an issue with the new cars. Make sure the battery is good because while a marginal battery is fine in FL, up here you will be stuck. You also want synthetic in the crank, 0w40, or 5w40 since its a 606.

Traction is fine with all season tires, if he lives in a real snowy area a set of snow tires is a good idea.

I agree with nearly everything JimSmith said...you needn't worry about the car starting in cold weather if the GPs are working well and it has a good strong battery it will start fine in all weather. I do however go the extra mile and replace all 4 of my all-weather tires with winter tires that I have mounted on a spare set of wheels I picked up on ebay.

I find that the difference in traction and handling is dramatic between all weather tread and snow/ice tires and since I live in even a worse climate that Old Lyme maybe that's just enough justification for it, but I recommend it to everyone who drives these in snow. In the grand scheme of things the cost is unimportant compared to the peace of mind that comes with knowing you did everything you could to improve the handling of the car in inclement weather. If I hadn't spent the extra cash and crashed the car I'd always wonder if I'd been penny wise and pound foolish...this way I know I did whatever I could and don't have to worry about "what ifs".

Properly charged and functioning battery, good glow plugs, fresh clean fuel filters are all critical for cold climate hastle free starts. Was the the Florida car fitted with a block heater by the dealer? If it was not ....have one retrofitted for a little extra protection during sub zero night temps.

I agree with Marty and I may have said it before....SNOW TIRES will transform the E300D or TD from handling like a sloppy tobogan to carving corners like a bobsled on ice and snow. Your son's life and the vehicle are worth the $650 for a set of severe weather snow tires mounted on their own designated winter wheels (steel). Up here in New England....run on them from December through March. Let it snow..let it snow...let it snow!
Cheers;)

We are talking Indianapolis here.
 

Indy does not have that bad of winters. He would be fine. Now here in MO, yesterday I got 17" of snow. Freak storm, my E300 is still nestled in my shop, spotless from last Friday when I washed it after taking a 51 mile bike ride, in 70 degree weather.

Snow is relatively an oddity in Indy.

Good advice so far on the tires. I just mounted a new set of Goodyear Tripple Treads as they seem well designed for maximum traction and for all seasons. Another important issue for your son will be the mix of #1 and #2 fuels. At 0 degrees I start using all #1 and starting at 50/50 mix at 32 degrees and sort of working my way towards more #1 as it gets colder. I'm driving a 98 E300.

that depends on where he lives in INDY. thats pretty close to CHicago, were we just got 13 inchs in the burbs.

Some sand bags and winter tires pushed threw that in the 84 300D

I've never used my block heater and never even added an anti-gel agent to my fuel throughout the winter, I just use what comes out of the pump. My understanding is fuel sold in cold weather is a winter blend which will already resist gelling down to the temps expected where it is sold. If it really made you feel better you could add some of the diesel conditioner sold at wal-mart that would lower the gel point, but even that I think is overkill. Last winter my car sat outside every night, sometimes in below zero cold and always started up without any problems, no block heater needed and nothing special done to the fuel.

I think what happens is that early in the winter season they tend to blend light such as about 70% #2 an 30% # 1 until they later mix at about 50/50 blend, although not all stations are the same. Then you get a real cold snap, such as last week, with the temps hovering at about 0 degrees and I start to get a little concerned without enough #1 fuel. I got caught one time when it did gell and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I think it's the lack of this type of required attention by the diesel driving public that, in the past, has given diesel cars a bad rap.

All good points. Florida pumps must be straight #2.

I guess it would be a good idea to fill on northern fuel blend ASAP after arriving in Indy. Should make the trip in 30 gallons from florida.

Thanks for the input.

Like everyone said with the charging and igition systems no question. Make sure he has a good set of snow tires. My '97 was ok with some all-seasons, but a good pair of Blizzak snow tires transformed the car as far as forward propulsion and braking is concerned. The Blizzaks tha tI had with the ABS system on the E worked flawlessly.

Might want to clarify where he would be driving.
 

I was speaking of Indy as the town, not the State of Indiana. I've been in Michigan City, Indiana during Lake Effect Snow and will not forget those events. If he is going North all the time that is one thing. Indy and south is another.