Building one next year so I won't have these winter starting issues.

What I've been doing in the past on cold nights (-25c+) is starting the vehicle and idling it so that I don't have issues starting it the next morning. Works about 99.9% of the time.

Besides not driving it on ridiculously cold days (-30c+), has anyone found a reliable solution without a block heater?

I've heard our winter is going to be particularly nasty this year, so I'm not looking forward to it.

 

I haven't had an issue yet. with t not starting in the cold but then again I live in Toronto and we only get to (-30) after the wind chill.

But I have noticed she does idle rough until she gets warm.

If you can get a winter beater that is my plan but I have to drive my RX this winter until i can get the other car.

 

I drove mine through the winter last year and had no problem - even on the coldest of days. And we do get cold winter days in Ottawa!

One thing I always do is turn off anything that draws power before shutting the car down. You want all the battery power concentrated on starting the car, not simultaneously flashing up the radio, climate control, etc.

 

outdoor cover and engine blanket?

 

No, although she lives under cover of a carport.

 

Definitely a candidate for a block heater I would say. They must be pretty common and therefore relatively inexpensive to install in your area? The winter I spent in Minneapolis years back most everyone I worked with had one.