Thread: TCH owners in Canada and some of cold States in USA
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Old 05-11-2007, 09:38 AM
pitokhato pitokhato is offline
Enthusiast
  
Real Name: AddictedToHybrid
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan,Canada
Hybrids: Camry
Posts: 39
Default TCH owners in Canada and some of cold States in USA
It is almost anonymous in every post here that TCH is the best bat for your bucks. How is this true for TCH owners living in cold weather?


The purpose of this thread is to encourage all owners of TCH who live in cold weather to share their ideas and experiences with other TCH owners so they can get best value of their investments despite living in clod weather. I am assuming that TCH showed up first sometime in spring of 2006 in USA and in August/September 2006 in Canada. So people who owned this car before last winter can share their opinions on various things experienced during first cold weather.

Some of the things we could share here are suggested below. Please add any other topic, which are helpful and beneficial to all particularly to the owners of TCH living in cold weather.
  • Additional tips, ideas and suggestions to maximize fuel efficiency in cold weather.
  • Effect of block heaters.
  • Plastic, leather or foam covers for front grills: Is it recommended? Why recommended? Etc.
  • Is it good idea to run the engine in idle mode for few seconds before driving, on real cold day?
  • Is there anything like Instant Heat using hybrid/normal battery? If yes, does it work? Is it recommended?
  • Real time MPG for different cold temp ranges like way below freezing mark to just over freezing point. (I live in a city in Canada where temp drops –25 to –30 degree Celsius in winter)
  • Winter tires. How does it effect traction control? Does it effect FE?
  • Tire pressure and snowy streets. Is there any risk in having higher tire pressure (for FE) and braking distance on snowy roads?
  • Any experience with traction control on snowy surface? Skidding etc.
  • Any starting issues on real cold days?
  • Frequency of Air Filter changes. Do we need to replace it more frequently?
  • Battery blankets. Can we use on hybrid/normal battery? Do they help?
  • Cooling system. Is it necessary to flush it before winter starts?
  • Any other special item relevant cold weather.
I am hoping that more and more forum users will add their comment on this post. Like any other post here, more comments will lead to more fruitful discussion, which will help all.

Thanks and have great safe driving experience with your TCH.
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