takesiteasy
Senior Member
Well, I figured today would be a good test of the truck's ability to start under adverse conditions. We have had a few days in a row where the high was below zero with seriously cold wind chill temps- like 50°-60° below. Last night the temp dropped to somewhere around -25°F. Out of curiosity, I had checked the battery yesterday because I had had several days of cold starts with short drives and not much charging. Then it had sat for several days without starting. The starting battery registered 12 volts- moderately discharged.
Today, with the temp at around -18°F I decided to try to start the truck, figuring the discharged battery would be challenged. I kinda hoped it would fail which would give me a chance to try a self-jump from my back-up battery which is mounted in the engine bay. It registered 12.8 volts- sitting fully charged since I took the camper off the truck a few weeks ago.
I scraped the accumulated snow and ice off the truck, got in and turned the key. It turned over pretty slowly and grumbled about the cold, but low and behold it started. I didn't get a chance to try the self-jump after all. Gotta love the Tacoma.
Just a few more days in the deep freeze and things are supposed to warm up. We are having an old time winter this year.
P.S. It's so cold that my tire pressure sensor light came on- the tires have lost enough pressure in the cold to turn the light on. First time I have seen it. Nice to know it works.
Today, with the temp at around -18°F I decided to try to start the truck, figuring the discharged battery would be challenged. I kinda hoped it would fail which would give me a chance to try a self-jump from my back-up battery which is mounted in the engine bay. It registered 12.8 volts- sitting fully charged since I took the camper off the truck a few weeks ago.
I scraped the accumulated snow and ice off the truck, got in and turned the key. It turned over pretty slowly and grumbled about the cold, but low and behold it started. I didn't get a chance to try the self-jump after all. Gotta love the Tacoma.
Just a few more days in the deep freeze and things are supposed to warm up. We are having an old time winter this year.
P.S. It's so cold that my tire pressure sensor light came on- the tires have lost enough pressure in the cold to turn the light on. First time I have seen it. Nice to know it works.