My '94 SC2 went about 7 years parked outside during Wisconsin winters with
years where the temp stayed around zero for weeks at a time, with occasional
dips as far as -40 (and that's without the windchill figured in). During
that time, gas-line antifreeze additive, synthetic oil, fresh coolant
anti-freeze, and the most powerful CCA battery that fits in the car did the
job. Started up every morning with no problems, and I never had the need
for a block/battery heater.

Make sure you also have a relatively new thermostat so the inside of the
vehicle heats up as quickly as possible once the car gets running. And
you'll probably want to replace your battery every 2 to 3 years as
preventative maintenance. I've had two batteries out of 3 die in the middle
of winter right at the 3 year mark, and I cannot stress how much it sucks to
have to replace a battery with the car outdoors when it is that cold.

Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]
(Has changed the oil outdoors at zero degrees. Bring it on.)
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www.evilplastic.com



"Bob Shuman" > wrote in message
...
> I live near Chicago and have seen -26 F without wind chill. I know I've
> also seen -40 up just North of me in Wisconsin. I figure Michigan gets
just
> as cold and some of Michigan (UP) gets pretty bad. Better safe than
sorry.
> I'd mix to -50 to be safe.
>
> Bob
>
> > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 21:05:09 -0600, "Bob Shuman"
> > > wrote:
> >
> > >And, probably even more important, is your antifreeze good to -40
or -50
> > >degrees F since this is what you will need in Michigan?
> > >
> >
> > It gets to -50 in Michigan?!!!
> >
> >
> >
> > >If not, you will have a frozen (and very cracked) engine block!
> > >
> > > Bob
> > >
> > >PS I agree with Blah blah, that you need to give us a clue to have any
> idea
> > >what might be wrong here.
> > >
> > >"Blah blah" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >> In article
> > >> outautos.com>,
> tesi170
> > >> @n0sp says...
> > >> > Hi, I am sure this question has posted before but I could not find
> it. I
> > >am
> > >> > new in northern Michigan, and with temperatures near or below 0F my
> SC1
> > >> > don't start anymore. I come from southern Az so I am no used to
this
> > >> > weather. I have read about people who put hot plates below the
engine
> or
> > >> > that plug some electric device under the hood. Maybe someone knows
> the
> > >> > best way to start this car. BTW it is automatic and spends the
night
> in
> > >> > the street.
> > >> >
> > >> > Thanks
> > >>
> > >> You need to fill us in a little here. What oil are you using?
Straight
> > >> 40 viscosity oil that you might of used in AZ? Whats the car doing?
> > >> Clicking without enough umph to turn the engine over or no sound at
> all?
> > >> How olds the battery and are all the contacts clean?
> > >
> >
> >
> > later,
> >
> > tom @ www.URLBee.com
> >
> >
> >
>
>