Outlander PHEV Sub-Zero Operation Question

[Arian]

Arian, mitsu's are built tough. It will last. But my question is this. You live in a Nordic country as I do. How many - 30c days have you experienced in the last 5 years? That will tell the tale if you can't charge it at night

hmm its -20 to -30 for about 2-3 months of the year here usually. Time will tell. Ofcourse My Outlander isnt new to begin with, i wouldnt be able to afford one new. i definitely notice it getting finicky at those temps and the battery has noticably deteriorated since i have had it. By alot. Cold or age, hard to say. But compared to my old volvo XC70 or V70 i cant say the outlander is the dream car in this winter wonderland. The old Volvo could sit out in a pile of snow for 3 weeks and just start right up and force its way out trough terrain it was never meant for. My outlander simply has to be rescued after a few days like that.

none of that directly relates to the battery heating tho. Twice i have come out in the morning on a day when your breath turns to snow (thats a thing) to find my car plugged in but entirely unresponsive, almost like it just refuses to keep charging and just lets itself die when it gets too cold too fast

 

[PHEV07]

hmm its -20 to -30 for about 2-3 months of the year here usually. Time will tell. Ofcourse My Outlander isnt new to begin with, i wouldnt be able to afford one new. i definitely notice it getting finicky at those temps and the battery has noticably deteriorated since i have had it. By alot. Cold or age, hard to say. But compared to my old volvo XC70 or V70 i cant say the outlander is the dream car in this winter wonderland. The old Volvo could sit out in a pile of snow for 3 weeks and just start right up and force its way out trough terrain it was never meant for. My outlander simply has to be rescued after a few days like that.

none of that directly relates to the battery heating tho. Twice i have come out in the morning on a day when your breath turns to snow (thats a thing) to find my car plugged in but entirely unresponsive, almost like it just refuses to keep charging and just lets itself die when it gets too cold too fast

Arian

What Year us your PHEV?

 

[Arian]

Arian

What Year us your PHEV?

2014. So not the newest. Unless you compare it to my old volvo wich went strong since 2001 with only a few timing belts and some filter changes while running on red diesel and old fryer oil half the time.

The PHEV is almost entirely tax free here wich was the argument that convinced me to sell that 1000p/m tax demon.

 

[ronnieracoon]

2014. So not the newest. Unless you compare it to my old volvo wich went strong since 2001 with only a few timing belts and some filter changes while running on red diesel and old fryer oil half the time.

The PHEV is almost entirely tax free here wich was the argument that convinced me to sell that 1000p/m tax demon.

2014? That 11 years old.

 

[Arian]

2014? That 11 years old.

yes it is. Wich is not a very long lifespan for any car i have owned before. I would expect to get at least 2 decades out of any car with some basic maintenance

 

[AndyInOz]

Good reply-good, relevant real world experience . I can imagine it's hard for AndyInOz to imagine on the ground conditions in our part of the world as it is for me to imagine living somewhere that doesn't go below zero... heck, for 5 months of the year we dispense with the "minus" reference and just go with the number and if the temp. gets to zero here it's shockingly warm.

Thoughts Andy?

Absolutely.

I probably wouldn't last five minutes in a remote, cold area.

Similarly, the life expectancy of strangers lost in Australian deserts is pretty short.

I've been seeing stuff about plug-in block heaters for cars in cold areas, as long as I can remember, plus winterised diesel, hence being confused why there are no provisions made for protecting electric cars in cold winters.

I have seen a youtuber explaining the steps he takes at the end of each day in winter to protect his car overnight
(plastic bags over the mirrors, plastic sheet over the front and rear windscreens, tarp over the hood) and
he commented, that he didn't understand why everyone didn't do that when snow was expected.

As a result of his prep, he takes less than five minutes to get going in the morning, then driving past hoards of people who are trying to chip ice off their windscreens...

... I'll never understand cold weather stuff, I just get to sit back and watch in amazement.

 

[Arian]

Absolutely.

I probably wouldn't last five minutes in a remote, cold area.

Similarly, the life expectancy of strangers lost in Australian deserts is pretty short.

I've been seeing stuff about plug-in block heaters for cars in cold areas, as long as I can remember, plus winterised diesel, hence being confused why there are no provisions made for protecting electric cars in cold winters.

I have seen a youtuber explaining the steps he takes at the end of each day in winter to protect his car overnight
(plastic bags over the mirrors, plastic sheet over the front and rear windscreens, tarp over the hood) and
he commented, that he didn't understand why everyone didn't do that when snow was expected.

As a result of his prep, he takes less than five minutes to get going in the morning, then driving past hoards of people who are trying to chip ice off their windscreens...

... I'll never understand cold weather stuff, I just get to sit back and watch in amazement.

Yea some of that stuff just makes sense for any car in this climate. My old diesels could run on anything from frying oil mixed with ethanol from the still to heating petroleum sold for a euro a liter to be burned in the cottage. The way those cars have always worked for me is that they have a preheat Button that burns some of the fuel to preheat the fuel and engine. It might take a while when the fuel is gel but it always worked without fail for over 20 years so long as i had some 12v power to ignite it and for emergencies i had a little gas generator in the trunk that could charge the 12v.

All to avoid getting stuck in the woods. The PHEV might surprise me yet as i have only had it for one winter so far but it just hasnt won my trust yet by completely dying out in the snow and not allowing a charge once i got the generator running to try and charge it. That was after 48 hours in -30 and lower wich i fear may have permanently damaged the car altho i havent noticed yet. Worse would be my phone not working in that situation so i cant call for help.

Its really not too different from down under, just a different challenge with the same stakes. Altho i imagine cel reception will be better here