Fluids Freezing?

I didnt know where to put this, so since it is on my 09 i put it here.

This morning it was -10 out, and has been below zero for over a day now.

My question is when do fluids, specifically power steering, radiator and transmission start to freeze?

Im going this afternoon to get my radiator fluid checked because i am originally from georgia and am not sure if there is a winter blend or not, is there anything else i need to check?

Thanks

 

coolant is usually checked to be good down to -20, but being from Ga, yours might have been blended a bit different.
Not sure about the freezing point of the others, but I suspect lower than -20 bc no one ever checks them for, they just turn a bit thicker.

 

Not sure about the others, but you can get an antifreeze test thing for a couple bucks at the local auto parts store. It looks like a turkey baster with a hollow inside. Suck up some fluid from the radiator and depending on how many of the balls float will tell you the mix of your coolant and the temperatures it's rated at.

 

You can get a radiator fluid checker that will tell you how low it will protect for a few bucks at autozone. All those should not be frozen at those temperatures. You can look at getting a transmission heater if you are worried about it.

 

Thanks for the quick responses, it took a few seconds to start the engine this morning, and turning the wheel was more difficult than usual, the transmission was sluggish, and the brakes were really sensitive. I live in an apartment, so the block heater is out of the question.

 

Remote start or let it warm up a few mins with you in the truck!

 

I always let it warm up abit, atleast until the air coming out of the vents is not cold. Im really wanting a remots start now.....hmmm next mod maybe??

 

Just imagine if you lived up in summit county...it would be even colder.

I would just check to make sure your coolant is the proper ratio. Other than that, you should be fine.

 

Some oils (engine, gear, transmission) are made for below 0 temps. I'd check with the manufacturer of the fluids to see what temp ranges they are rated for. For instance, on the Mobil 1 website it has a question for if you will be in above or below 0 temps where you are located.

 

Minus the block heater, you can cover the front of the truck to limit windchill to it overnight.

 

-10?

wow. that's cold!

 

yep. driving home last night, the "what it feels like" or "real feel" said -29 and dropped to -33 throughout the night.

 

hah... if i did that, it would be sitting in my driveway for 15 minutes... hell.... i could be at work in 15 minutes

it was minus 20 last night and the cab of my truck didnt feel comfortable until i got to work

 

aside from your fluids, make sure your battery is strong, nothing will kill the battery quicker than the cold weather, and leaving the lights on

 

after about 10 min this morning, i was on the move, the engine did not get to normal temps before i got to work.....never thought that would happen

 

Got down to -10 or so last night with lots of wind... My truck was NOT happy starting this morning. Think it's time for a new battery. Fluids were fine though.

 

It was -30c here last night with a windchill in the -40s. No vehicle starts good in those temps. I have only ever had a fluid problem one time when my gas line froze. Other that that just make sure you have a good quality oil, low temp anti-freeze coolant and let her warm up a bit before heading out.

Remote car starters are the goods - winter or summer!

 

Once the fluids are moving, there's really very little reason to "let it warm up". It will warm up faster if it's being driven. Just go easy on it until it is up to op temp.