Driving to work today in the 'True North' (at 5:30a.m.) has given me two facts to share......

#1, The digital outside temp gauge only goes down to minus 40*. After that, it just displays three dashes. (Minus, minus, minus, I'm assuming!)

#2, An RX-8 in those conditions, rides like a freakin' skateboard.
The suspension ceases to suspend, the struts freeze solid. The ride becomes a bone shaking, dash rattling, crash banging torment. After a while, the gears get a little less like 'molasses-in-January', but then the clutch freezes, so the pedal takes seconds to go up & down, so shifting is still mighty slow.

You could probably have lived happily without either of these facts, but thanks for reading.....
Tomorrow I take Wifey's Pathfinder!
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doc

I've been close so far this winter to like -25* F. Are you talking C? Man that is cold no matter what and I don't envy you one bit. Let us know if the Pathfinder does any better.

Doesn't matter if he's talkin' C or F, -40C is the same as -40F! Really!

-40 without windchill?.. stay the heck inside! -40 with windchill?... STAY THE HECK INSIDE!

Try coming to the south pole where I am now! Its like -90 here. You know its cold when ice immediatly forms on your beard when you step outside!

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
Try coming to the south pole where I am now! Its like -90 here. You know its cold when ice immediatly forms on your beard when you step outside!

what kind of heat do you use to stay warm?

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
Try coming to the south pole where I am now! Its like -90 here. You know its cold when ice immediatly forms on your beard when you step outside!

What's that in Kelvin? 205? Doesn't that sound much warmer...:D

It got down to 60 here last night after being almost 80 during the day. It's supposed to drop to the 30's tonight though. Glad I have a garage.:cool:

30's? wow cold spell. :) more freezing rain/snow here in NJ tonight. 19 degrees. highs low to mid 30's the rest of the week.

It actually got to -43.2C here last night.
That is -45.7 F
REAL temperatures. NOT windchill.
With windchill it was about -60C, or -76F

My 8 is parked outside.
It will NOT start.
Tried with roadside assistance who sent out a truck to boost me.
It turns over but will not fire. I suspect it flooded after the first unsuccessful tries.

For comparison it DID start down to -30C (-22F) in the past 3 weeks. I left it at the airport for 4 days last week, and came back to -26C (-12F) and it started OK.

How cold is it?
Weather lady on the TV tonight did a little demonstration:
Took cups of hot water, threw the water up in the air about 10'
Most of it hit the ground as a solid.

Here is my 8 waiting for it to warm up:

can the canzoomer stage 1 withstand those temperatures? :)

Originally posted by RX-GR8
can the canzoomer stage 1 withstand those temperatures? :)
Runs fine at -30C (-22F)
Could not start the car today as it was too damned cold.


Not much point using it much as all you get is wheelspin at any decent throttle level, and then the pretty DSC light blinks at you.

In these conditions the DSC / ABS is excellent.
I find my self going intocorners way too hot, and letting it sort it out for me.

Another thing that happens at these temps is the aluminum sill plate appliques at the bottom of each door opening bulge up, and hinder the doors from closing.

Car is fine down to -30C. After that it is not suitable.

As Doc mentioned the steering, clutch, brakes, etc. do not work right. Suspension is awful

Also the parking brake lever release has a piece inside that can break.

Canzoomer, you shoud change your sig to Snow White powered by Stage 1.
I feel for your poor car. Don't you garages in Canada?

Maybe this has been brought up before, but has anyone noticed that when it's below freezing outside the radio display is sluggish and the inside/outside air buttons are inoperable until the car warms up. Probably just normal stuff?

Originally posted by RX-GR8
what kind of heat do you use to stay warm?

We use hand and foot warmers to stay warm. Plus, we do have buildings to keep warm. It just sucks when we have to stay outside for hours installing electronic stuff. My nose got stuck to a tower I was installing when I got to close trying to bolt on some screw anchors.LOL:D

Originally posted by Japan8
What's that in Kelvin? 205? Doesn't that sound much warmer...:D

Here is how it feels.:eek:

Originally posted by hotpot
Canzoomer, you shoud change your sig to Snow White powered by Stage 1.
I feel for your poor car. Don't you garages in Canada?
I do.
I refuse to keep a car in a heated garage.

They use some salt on the roads here,mixed with fine gravel.

If you keep the car in a warmer envirnment that salt dissolves in water that thaws out of the snow and ice.

That makes a lovely pickling solution, which rots the heck out of a car.
If you keep it good and cold, and no liquid water then the rust is negligible.

Originally posted by canzoomer
I do.
I refuse to keep a car in a heated garage.

They use some salt on the roads here,mixed with fine gravel.

If you keep the car in a warmer envirnment that salt dissolves in water that thaws out of the snow and ice.

That makes a lovely pickling solution, which rots the heck out of a car.
If you keep it good and cold, and no liquid water then the rust is negligible.

As my experience living in snowy climates has been limited...

I suppose you could just the underbpdy off before garaging her.... but considering your current schedule... that really isn't feasible, eh?

-40... omg! It's 22 here and I'm about to die!

yeah it's only -31 F and -60 with the wind chill here. It's great to be in North Dakota, the most useless state in the United States.

I feel for all of you Northern brethren. It is 52 here today and might drop to mid 40's tonight. This is as cold as it has been this winter in South Florida.

I don't know how you guys can function with all that white stuff.

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/adcbin/public/curcon_local.asp?partner=accuweather&zipcode=33172&metric=0

Not too bad if ya ask me :D

If yer envious about that, remember that 10 months a year it's hot and muggy here.

!Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
Here is how it feels.:eek:

... :eek: !! You are a MUCH braver man than I am. Tohoku (northern) region of Japan with temps around -10C - -15C is about my limit.

I imagine that it's quite cold inside that tent... do you guys have/use any kind of permanent shelter down there as well?

Its so sad... yesterday it got to about 30F degrees. It felt like spring. You all in Canada must be startin to think 30F is shorts weather.

-JiM

Minneapolis this morning was god awful - 10 below air, but with a 25 mph wind. Took the windchill to -40 or so...

My 8 is parked now - drive a Protege 5 in the winter. That damn car always starts.....

it's been below -20C for most of january here in Mtl but this morning it felt like spring was just around the corner, -13C , no wind. Car wasn't even hard to start. :-)

Well it dropped down to minus 45 C here this morning, breaking records that stretch back to 1968. That's without windchill.

My RX-7 is not moving, nor will it until the mercury rises to around minus 30 or so. Lower than that and there is NO chance it will start, let alone push enough heat to warm up the cabin. As a consequence, I have to drive my Dad's minivan today.

Joy.

Originally posted by j1mb0x99
You all in Canada must be startin to think 30F is shorts weather.

Oh come on, it's not that bad! Vancouver weather is very much like Seattle - they rarely have any now (1 or 2 days/winter). In Calgary, it was warmer than Michigan for all of January until this week, around or above freezing for over 2 weeks straight. Canada is a pretty big place, and the climates and weather varies a lot... :)

Regards,
Gordon

I feel your pain my man. I spent three years in Fairbanks, Alaska ( Ft . Wainwright '83 - '86). In the dead of winter it regulary got down to as low as -60 F. Thats with no windchill as Fairbanks/Ft. Wainwright sit in a bowl like deppression and there is absolutly no wind in the winter.

Oh and the ICE FOG brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I got so cold that the we used to judge the temperature by how low down the Post heating plant's smoke stack the steam would settle before leveling out. The warmer the temp the higher the "flat top would be. At -40 F the steam would actually come out the stack, roll down the sides and then flatten out and stay there! The colder the temp the lower the cloud!

Dont forget about the flat spotted tires bouncing you around! And there was no excuse when you car was a block of ice.

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
Try coming to the south pole where I am now! Its like -90 here. You know its cold when ice immediatly forms on your beard when you step outside!

Yeah and it is so dry outside you can feel the moisture being sucked out of your eyeballs!

Well, I was over at Canzoomer's for a few hours (with my Pathfinder). It has "auto" 4WD and an automatic trans. In the auto position, when I was leaving, the center diff. light said it was "locked" even though it wasn't. He he, too cold for the sensor I guess. ;) I use a garage, unheated. It's a balmy -15 C in there! It actually feels really warm.

I guess my 3rd gen RX-7 is in "cold storage" in the garage ;) .

Well, this last Sunday in Dallas it was 71 F and I was driving around with the windows down :p

It's been colder this week (high's near 50 F) ;)

Gotta love Texas

Last night, I drove between Chicago IL & Detroit MI during their latest snow storm. Snowed the majority of the way with 15-20 mph winds.

I was driving a 4WD Yukon....there was NO WAY my RX-8 would have made that trip.

The RX-8 is a great vehicle, but it does have its limitations.

I'm ready to get back to AL & my RX-8!

Originally posted by Japan8
!

... :eek: !! You are a MUCH braver man than I am. Tohoku (northern) region of Japan with temps around -10C - -15C is about my limit.

I imagine that it's quite cold inside that tent... do you guys have/use any kind of permanent shelter down there as well?

Yes it is! Its funny to hear people complain about -40 temps or whatever. This is the harshest place on the earth and when I go back to the US I will never complain about the cold again! We have buildings with dorm rooms to keep warm. My job requires that I work outside some of the time. Its difficult sometimes when I have to put up a weather tower somewhere outside in neg temps with winds howling for like a 12 hour period. Thats when you feel the cold. Especially if you get stranded overnight. Most people here get the luxury of going back to their nice warm houses. But, I still love it and only have to work like 5 months a year.

Jeff

Originally posted by Rotary Nut
Yeah and it is so dry outside you can feel the moisture being sucked out of your eyeballs!

Yeah! Your right! When I 1st got here back in September, I had frequent nose bleeds because of the dryness. I just came from 95 deg w/100% humidity in FL to -100 with NO humidity and winds that exceeded 50 knots. I 1st said I quit becaus eI thought I was going to die! I blink and my eyelids get stuck together and it sucked! But, I just got back to McMurdo Staion on the tip of the Continent and the temps here are much better. Summertime temp here is 0 degrees and I walk outside with shorts and a T-shirt! Here is a good picture of a nice day here. I showed a harsh day, I figure I'll show a good day!:D

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
Yeah! Your right! When I 1st got here back in September, I had frequent nose bleeds because of the dryness. I just came from 95 deg w/100% humidity in FL to -100 with NO humidity and winds that exceeded 50 knots. I 1st said I quit becaus eI thought I was going to die! I blink and my eyelids get stuck together and it sucked! But, I just got back to McMurdo Staion on the tip of the Continent and the temps here are much better. Summertime temp here is 0 degrees and I walk outside with shorts and a T-shirt! Here is a good picture of a nice day here. I showed a harsh day, I figure I'll show a good day!:D

-100? thats insane! guess you cant stay outside too long when its that cold.

Do you ride around in snow mobiles out there?

Working in those extreme temps you deserve at least 5 months off!

Originally posted by RX-GR8
-100? thats insane! guess you cant stay outside too long when its that cold.

Not really! We do have extreme cold weather clothing. If you happen to get stranded in the cold, we learned how to build icewalls and caves to keep the winds off. Its only bad when the winds pick up. Cherry Hill huh? I ggrew up in Runnemede and Camden for 10 years of my life! My family is all there. Go Pat Steaks! and Geno's!:p

Originally posted by silvercloud
Do you ride around in snow mobiles out there?

Working in those extreme temps you deserve at least 5 months off!

Yeah! Skidoos are fun as sh*t! Well I get those 6 months or so off because I am a seasonal worker. Any electronic techs out ther want to come work next season? HEHE:cool:

Jeff,

Where's the pick of the bad day?

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
Yeah! Skidoos are fun as sh*t! Well I get those 6 months or so off because I am a seasonal worker. Any electronic techs out ther want to come work next season? HEHE:cool:

whats the pay like?

Originally posted by 93rdcurrent
Jeff,

Where's the pick of the bad day?
Its on a link on the 2nd page I think.

Around 5-6k's a month. People are jealous of us here because we make like 4 times the amount others do and don't really work that much. The hardest work is putting up AWS towers in the cold. Otherwise we just sit and wait for our radar or comms or whatever else to break. Sit and wait meaning....internet, games, sl**p (you fig that1) eat eat and eat free. drinks are cheap too. 2 bucks. Cake job man!

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
Around 5-6k's a month. People are jealous of us here because we make like 4 times the amount others do and don't really work that much. The hardest work is putting up AWS towers in the cold. Otherwise we just sit and wait for our radar or comms or whatever else to break. Sit and wait meaning....internet, games, sl**p (you fig that1) eat eat and eat free. drinks are cheap too. 2 bucks. Cake job man!

did you ever watch the movie the thing when you were there? :D

is that 5-6k per month only for the 5 months you work or do they pay you for 12 months?

Originally posted by RX-GR8
did you ever watch the movie the thing when you were there? :D

is that 5-6k per month only for the 5 months you work or do they pay you for 12 months?

Dude! Your killing me. No, thats not for 12 months. I choose to be a seasonal worker, so they pay me a week before I ever leave for the "ICE" and a week after plus accum vacation and holidays. Then during the off season, they will send me to various radar or AWS or UPS schools and pay me well for it. I get a suite, like 50 bucks (taxfree) for food, a rental car...etc. You can also become a full time employee and eventually become a GMO (Government Manager of OPS) and make a ton more! I never saw the Thing here. I should huh?

Jeff

Woops, like 50 bucks a day for food times like 8-9 avg weeks! Sorry for the typo RX-GR8

BRRRRRRR! I'm shivering just thinking about those temps. It's a balmy 3 degrees F here in the middle of IL, home of the Simpsons and some guy named Abe. All major roads are clear so I get to drive my 8 tomorrow to work finally. Next year it's snow tires and rims!

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
Dude! Your killing me. No, thats not for 12 months. I choose to be a seasonal worker, so they pay me a week before I ever leave for the "ICE" and a week after plus accum vacation and holidays. Then during the off season, they will send me to various radar or AWS or UPS schools and pay me well for it. I get a suite, like 50 bucks (taxfree) for food, a rental car...etc. You can also become a full time employee and eventually become a GMO (Government Manager of OPS) and make a ton more! I never saw the Thing here. I should huh?

Jeff

I dunno... it's sounding kinda temping to me too...:cool:

Originally posted by Japan8
I dunno... it's sounding kinda temping to me too...:cool:

I hate to burst your bubble man, but you have to be an american citizen. If you are then we can talk.:D

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
I hate to burst your bubble man, but you have to be an american citizen. If you are then we can talk.:D

I am... got the big navy passport and the "Certificate of Citizenship" (I was born abroad) to prove it... :D

You have military service? What do you do? You will get special preference for it!

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
You have military service? What do you do? You will get special preference for it!

Doh! No military service. What I've done is foreign governmental work, University IT support, Data center engineer, Systems Administrator, Tech Support at the leading Internet Security Company... so I basically do computer stuff and Japan-related stuff. Dunno if that is at all helpful... I'd imagine working on GPS systems or radars would be a bit more useful...

It's ok though... I'm busting my a$$ trying to see if a business idea I have is feasible... if so, go startup.

There is A LOT of interesting info on the internet... more than I thought there was.... very helpful.

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
Try coming to the south pole where I am now! Its like -90 here. You know its cold when ice immediatly forms on your beard when you step outside!

Can we send IKE to keep you company? You mean to tell me there are RX-8s at the south pole :p

Originally posted by i3man
Can we send IKE to keep you company? You mean to tell me there are RX-8s at the south pole :p


Definitly! I would love something other than a penguin to kick around!:D No RX8's here man. Just trucks with big tires and track vehicles and skidoo's!

Originally posted by Japan8
Doh! No military service. What I've done is foreign governmental work, University IT support, Data center engineer, Systems Administrator, Tech Support at the leading Internet Security Company... so I basically do computer stuff and Japan-related stuff. Dunno if that is at all helpful... I'd imagine working on GPS systems or radars would be a bit more useful...

WOW! You can still get hired man. You can be an IT administrator or tech. IT adm is a gov position with SPAWAR (Space and Naval Warfare). Tech job is civilian for SRC (Scientific Research Corp). If your interested, then let me know and I'll give you my email.

Ahem: speaking about cold and the RX8, yesterday it was about -9F when I left work, and my car made a horrible whirring/clicking/almost grinding noise as the engine started and attempted to find idle. Has anyone else noticed this?

I'm concerned only because it seemed awfully non-rotary like: my WRX would have been rapping like a diesel. -16F this morning, but amazing what a difference parking in a non-heated detached garage makes.

Scary part is it's summer there at -60!

Yup, it's dry here too. Rel. humidity around 10-20%. Only -28 C this morning, so not too cold but there is a "nice" wind. Lots of fresh air! Got to go out and shovel snow, then to the car wash (salt!!!).

At least they don't use salt here instead they put down a chemical solution that is a little bit better. Still I wash my car off once a week.

-40 here 2nd day in a row. My 8's in a heated garage at the dealership getting a scratch and dent fixed that were on the car when I got it. Driving a loaner '01 protege that doesn't like to start in this weather, had trouble finding the block heater plug looked like it had never been used.

At what temp does the 8 have trouble starting?
Has anyone had trouble starting theirs?
I've been parking in a garage at home outside at work. No trouble starting so far, temp. reads -20 C to -30 C (-4 F to -22 F). Haven't had it for the last few days of -40's.

Originally posted by pauleta
-40 here 2nd day in a row. My 8's in a heated garage at the dealership getting a scratch and dent fixed that were on the car when I got it. Driving a loaner '01 protege that doesn't like to start in this weather, had trouble finding the block heater plug looked like it had never been used.

At what temp does the 8 have trouble starting?
Has anyone had trouble starting theirs?
I've been parking in a garage at home outside at work. No trouble starting so far, temp. reads -20 C to -30 C (-4 F to -22 F). Haven't had it for the last few days of -40's.
Mine has been good down to -30C.
Below that it will not start.
At -40 or lower if you try to take the engine cover off to get at the battery the cover cracks.

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
We use hand and foot warmers to stay warm. Plus, we do have buildings to keep warm. It just sucks when we have to stay outside for hours installing electronic stuff. My nose got stuck to a tower I was installing when I got to close trying to bolt on some screw anchors.LOL:D

Ha,Ha,Ha
That's gotta hurt. Sounds like a workman's comp claim. Take a few days off and fly to Florida. Maybe it'll warm up while your gone. -10*F here in Wisconsin and I thought that was tough. I won't complain again for rest of the winter.

Originally posted by Roaddemon
Ha,Ha,Ha
That's gotta hurt. Sounds like a workman's comp claim. Take a few days off and fly to Florida. Maybe it'll warm up while your gone. -10*F here in Wisconsin and I thought that was tough. I won't complain again for rest of the winter.

LOL It was more comedy than anything. I was too busy laughing then trying to get my nose unstuck. It was only the tip so it wasn't too bad! Usually I complain when the temp goes below 70 ! But, Its not that bad where I am right now.

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
LOL It was more comedy than anything. I was too busy laughing then trying to get my nose unstuck. It was only the tip so it wasn't too bad! Usually I complain when the temp goes below 70 ! But, Its not that bad where I am right now.

how many people are there with you?

Originally posted by RX-GR8
how many people are there with you?

About 1000 during the summer season. 130 (I think) That will winter-over. Everyone else leaves by the 21st of Feb. That will be the last flight from here. The only way you leave then is by Medi-Vac:eek:

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
LOL It was more comedy than anything. I was too busy laughing then trying to get my nose unstuck. It was only the tip so it wasn't too bad! Usually I complain when the temp goes below 70 ! But, Its not that bad where I am right now.

You didn't try warming it up with your tongue did ya?

:D

LOL

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
LOL

so what does one do for fun at the south pole? you know fun? :D

Well, we do have bars. 1 smoking bar, 1 non-smoking bar and a tree hugger bar. We even have ICE STOCK down here. The bands are pretty good. There is skiing, snow boarding and stuff. Most of the women are dikes or ugly, but some are OK. They all think they are playboy material because they outnumber guys. A 5 in the states would be a 9 here. I can't wait to get back for spring break in FL!!!!

Originally posted by Jeff_pap31s
Well, we do have bars. 1 smoking bar, 1 non-smoking bar and a tree hugger bar. We even have ICE STOCK down here. The bands are pretty good. There is skiing, snow boarding and stuff. Most of the women are dikes or ugly, but some are OK. They all think they are playboy material because they outnumber guys. A 5 in the states would be a 9 here. I can't wait to get back for spring break in FL!!!!

LOL