3rd Gen Protege/MazdaSpeed/P5/MP3 General/Maintenance Discussion for 1999-2003.5 Models Only (BJ Chassis)

Cold weather driving

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Old December-9th-2002, 06:41 PM
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Cold weather driving

Hi all,

Just wondering whether anyone else is experiencing the same, especially up here in Canada since the temperatures started to drop.

I've had my Pro for a month now and the last few mornings the car seems to really strugle if I don't let it warm up and try to drive. The AUTO shifting is really choppy and acceleration is pretty bad as well. It is around -10 degrees C here in St.John's today.

Any opinions on that? Thanks.
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Old December-9th-2002, 07:01 PM
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ya are cars hate the cold...thats why i got a remote starter for my pro5
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Old December-9th-2002, 07:03 PM
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finding the same here in port aux basques today too . and my windshield wash nozzles were frozen. i manage to get one clear but the driver ,s side one is stil frozen. oh qwell just have to live with it i guess

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Old December-9th-2002, 09:44 PM
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AAAHHH! RESIZE THE PICTURE!!
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Old December-9th-2002, 10:34 PM
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Re: Cold weather driving

Originally posted by Cpt. KLOS


I've had my Pro for a month now and the last few mornings the car seems to really strugle if I don't let it warm up and try to drive. The AUTO shifting is really choppy and acceleration is pretty bad as well. It is around -10 degrees C here in St.John's today.

Any opinions on that? Thanks.
I notice the same thing. I've had the P5 for only a few months.. here in Montreal the temp really dropped this past few days.. starting the car in the morning (it was -17 C) I thought the car wouldn't start! Was turning over very slowly.. finally did.

When driving off, the acceleration and shifting was very sluggish...

If anyone has any suggestions besides warming the car up for a few minutes..
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Old December-9th-2002, 10:55 PM
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If it is really cold and it is going to be like that for a while change the oil and it will make a diff.

you should warm the car up until it gets to a clean idle .. then drive slowly until it is warm .... warm-up should not be more than 2 minutes
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Old December-9th-2002, 11:02 PM
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I will have to agree that when i changed the tranny oil(redline) the shifts are alot smoother and easier in the cold. very noticable and don't need to wait 10 minutes driving to let it warm up. however i do have the same slow start in the extreme cold. I do wish i have the remote starter but it's not recomended for a car with a manual.
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Old December-10th-2002, 08:42 AM
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Hmm, I have found the opposite. Since the weather turned cold my car has more power, more acceleration. I agree it doesn't start as well as during the summer, but fuel doesn't atomize as well in the cold, so its expected. As for the better running, its either the cold air is aiding power generation, the engine is finally totally broken in or the cold air with the K&N installed makes a noticable difference. Could be a combination of all. Regardless, I have no issues with my car durning colder temps.
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Old December-10th-2002, 09:22 AM
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I've got manual and transmission works really nice. My car also hardly starts when it's -15C or colder and I should buy new battery. Engine block heater and cabin heater are nice things to have. And Stocker, cold air really gives more power so it not just imagination.

Last edited by bougha; December-11th-2002 at 12:56 PM.
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Old December-10th-2002, 09:53 AM
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I find my P5 does occasionally need a little more cranking when starting in very cold weather and that the shifting (five-speed) is a little stiff at first, but I don't find either of these unusual for winter driving. As far as running better goes, mine seems to run best when the air is cool (10-15 C) rather than when it's cold, so I haven't noticed a difference in that area as the temperature drops.
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Old December-10th-2002, 12:12 PM
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I feel the same. the car does seem to have a bit more power in the cold than in the summer.
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Old December-10th-2002, 03:49 PM
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Thumbs up

I think your best bet, as someone briefly mentioned, is an engine block heater. It's just a coil on a wire, that plugs into a standard home outlet. I just ordered one from my dealer, $30. I checked those parts websites, and I couldn't find it for less than $25, but then you have to add shipping, so it evens out.

That should definitely help get you going in the morning.

Geez, it gets cold here in Boston, but I don't think I could deal with Canada!

I also ordered the P5 car cover. The dealer wanted $115. I told them I saw it online for $93 (which is true), and they matched it.
Not bad...
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Old December-11th-2002, 08:30 PM
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My P5 sucks when it is cold. I have 2002 which I purchased in August and if I knew it would be this noisy and sluggish during these new york winters I would have bought another Honda. I have a 5spd and God for bid I try shifting 2nd, I feel as though I am going to brake the lever off. When its real cold, this car does not want to operate.

Lovin' it soooo when its warm though!
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Old December-12th-2002, 08:28 AM
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I find my P5 is not quite made for winter. Engine wise it runs fine, smooth shifting and has always started. A couple of -25C days already and it turned over a little slower but hasn't left me stranded. The windows are always frosted over on highway trips except for the front and rear and I haven't yet been able to use my squirtters on cold days as they tend to freeze up. Aside from that the gas mileage is okay.
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Old December-13th-2002, 10:59 PM
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squitters freeze up

Sorry about my bitching that the squitters freeze up. I just learned how they work today. Had the car for a month and a half and my wife just told me I have to pull towards me I was like yeah right it show's here to push up. Sure enough they work and probably had the whole time. Did I ever feel like a dick!
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