Cold weather driving Options

[Grosbard]

I haven't driven my car in cold weather yet, and I have a couple of questions for you more experienced guys.

So far I've only driven the car on warm, or moderate days (70 degrees and up). It is having an overheating issue. i.e. engine temp gets too high after 60-90 minutes of highway cruising on a hot day, so I have to pull over and let the car cool down. Then I'm fine again for another 60-90 minutes.

The overheating issue needs to be fixed, and it will be taken care of this winter. In the meanwhile, I might take a drive in the near future. The current weather here in the northeast is around 40-50 degrees fahrenheit.

So my questions are:

1. Would the outside air temperature being 40 or 50 degrees significantly change my overheating issue to the point where it won't be a problem, or in the grand scheme of things is the engine so much hotter than 20-30 degree difference in ambient temperature, so it won't make much difference.

2. I don't have a heater in the car (another thing that will be resolved this winter). Do you guys think it would be too cold in the car for a drive with my wife on a 40 degree day (or a 20 degree day), or would the heat radiating from the engine compartment keep the cabin pretty comfy once the car has warmed up a bit?

Thanks for all your help!

[Rand]

Dress for the weather outside the car. Enjoy the shelter of the car. It's not supposed to be a comfort queen that makes you uncomfortable when you get out. Freakin' weenies who cry about temperatures making me nuts (not you Grosbard, it's come up on other posts). Get some gear, layer it up. Gear up for how you would hang out outside for crying out loud. The 914 is shelter from the weather. If you don't get this, pick up a mommy mobile with the creature comforts you need to keep your tiny balls warm so you can park near your warm office and run inside before you get cold.

(and before anyone gets offended, I'm just ranting at the idea in fun, not directed to anyone.)

[BeatNavy]

Dress for the weather outside the car. Enjoy the shelter of the car. It's not supposed to be a comfort queen that makes you uncomfortable when you get out. Freakin' weenies who cry about temperatures making me nuts (not you Grosbard, it's come up on other posts). Get some gear, layer it up. Gear up for how you would hang out outside for crying out loud. The 914 is shelter from the weather. If you don't get this, pick up a mommy mobile with the creature comforts you need to keep your tiny balls warm so you can park near your warm office and run inside before you get cold.

(and before anyone gets offended, I'm just ranting at the idea in fun, not directed to anyone.)

You're not fooling us, Rand, we know you're "Mr. Sensitive" here on the World! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


The only other thing of "value" I can add is that ambient temps aren't going to impact your head temps that much. If you've got a problem (and it sounds like you do), don't think driving in colder weather is going to protect you from something bad happening. I realized that one very cold evening when my heater flaps were stuck in the closed position and I hit 400 degrees briefly before noticing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pinch.gif) Cold temps can help keep your oil temps down.

[mepstein]

Dress for the weather outside the car. Enjoy the shelter of the car. It's not supposed to be a comfort queen that makes you uncomfortable when you get out. Freakin' weenies who cry about temperatures making me nuts (not you Grosbard, it's come up on other posts). Get some gear, layer it up. Gear up for how you would hang out outside for crying out loud. The 914 is shelter from the weather. If you don't ge.t this, pick up a mommy mobile with the creature comforts you need to keep your tiny balls warm so you can park near your warm office and run inside before you get cold.

(and before anyone gets offended, I'm just ranting at the idea in fun, not directed to anyone.)

You're not fooling us, Rand, we know you're "Mr. Sensitive" here on the World! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


The only other thing of "value" I can add is that ambient temps aren't going to impact your head temps that much. If you've got a problem (and it sounds like you do), don't think driving in colder weather is going to protect you from something bad happening. I realized that one very cold evening when my heater flaps were stuck in the closed position and I hit 400 degrees briefly before noticing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pinch.gif) Cold temps can help keep your oil temps down.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) fix your engine issue and add the correct parts for heat. Used parts are reasonable price and its a bolt on job.
Hell, I'm such a baby these days that I want a/c in my 914.
Actually, I always wanted a/c. I parked my car 1990 because I couldn't do another summer in the car. We just installed electric a/c in two cars at the shop and I'll put my order in as soon as I find some cash.