Diesels don’t like the cold (AMA makes another $120)
Being the first time my wife and I have ever had to deal with -35 degree temperatures, we were not really sure how cold the VW TDI would go before it wouldn’t start any more. I went to work yesterday, and couldn’t get the car to start on the way home, leaving me to walk home, about 5km at -35 celsius (oh what joy).
It was sufficient a reason to join AMA, they towed my car back home, we pushed it into the garage overnight and two hours later it worked like a charm. What was VW thinking by not putting a block heater in their diesel vehicles? Usually it is around -20c when it starts to get difficult.
After a $300.00 day, at least we have an AMA/CAA membership now, and I purchased a special coolant tank heater which heats the coolant and circulates the coolant throughout the motor, which is just as effective as a block heater on those cold days. While I won`t have my new heater to install for probably another 2-3 weeks at least I will be ready for next year. Apparently though these tank heater (purchasable through www.frostheater.com) are highly effective and recommended by many people from the TDI Forums; I`ll post once I have tested it out for myself.
As for tomorrow, I`ll have to take the bus.