Is there such a thing as a block heater for the RX8? And, if so, any personal experiences with one?

It's not that cold yet (well, not as cold as its going to get) and I've noticed it takes a wee bit longer for the engine to catch...gettin' nervous...

 

The stick on type seem to be the one most recommended.

www.padheaters.com

 

When I was in saskatoon mine started in -53c without an issue, IMO its not really warrented

 

Good to know. Maybe its just me getting used to the startup of a rotary...

 

And here I was a bit worried mine might not start at -30C. Have you replaced the battery/started with a more powerful one?

 

Since convetional oil freezes at -40 give or take a degree or two depending on brand and additives, I doubt the ambient air temp was -53 your probably remembering the temperature with wind chill factor.

 

Thats what it read on the dash, plus they were having warnings about going outside on the weather network due to the extreme cold, saskatchewan is a cold place.

I should add that my coolant was good until -45C and it didn't freeze, when it comes to stuff freezing up the temp would have to remain constant and the car unused for any of that freezing point crap to apply

 

same battery as when purchansed used March 07, appears original.

 

You my friend should be buying lottery tickets.
Railton

 

I live on the prairie and grew up in Northern alberta. I know cold as well, I have had oil freeze in the pan, and it only take a few hours for it to happen at extreme temperatures. Anti freeze doesn't stop your oil from freezing.

The lowest temperature ever recorded in Saskatoon was -50°C in 1893.

 

-20C in Ottawa this morning. Started like a charm. I feel better. Although it certainly takes a few more cranks over than a piston and sounds different...

 

Holy ****, I could never live in temps that cold.

 

I used a pan heater I bought on Ebay. The oil was much warmer at start up.

 

My in car temp said -53 at like 6am in feb/March 08 I think it was, and car started fine, albiet high idle and loping. 5w20 is pretty dam thin, and the rotary hasn't got much in the way of moving parts. All I'm saying is that RX8 is fine in winter as is, rust and traction issues aside.

the 85 Corolla SR5 I'm driving now barely started this morning in -22 or whatever it was