This morning I was monitoring the engine temperature with the DIC on my way to work. The outside temperature was 8 degrees Fahrenheit. I drive about 30 minutes and 20 miles to work. About 12 miles of the commute is at 55mph or 65mph.

With the heater running at full blast and the HHR going 65mph I noticed that the engine temperature had stabilized at 149 degrees. This seems low since the temperature sensor is actually in the engine and not in the radiator. Seems that the combined cooling of going 65mph and running the heater at full blast keeps the coolant at a pretty low temperature (when the outside temps are low).

Anyone else living in cold-weather areas notice their operating temperature during very low outside temperatures?

Steve

 

I had a 2 degree outside temp this morning and it's a 10 minute drive to work, the engine temp only got to 180 degrees (usually 198 degrees).

 

A couple of weeks ago while driving around Minnesota in -14 degree temps, the DIC claimed coolant temp of 188 degrees. That was with the heater wide a$$ open. Once on the Interstate it dropped off to 172-175 degrees.

Pat

 

OK guys...... Here is the real test and when you beat me just post it here......

Yesterday morning the temp was -34˚. Yes that is right -34˚ below and the HHR started no problem without being plugged in..... Now the engine temp would run about 170 while sitting idle and when I hit the road at 62mph it would climb to the normal 192˚. It would stay there until I stated to slow down and then it would drop slightly. No problems heating the inside and the heater was on full speed.

I could also say that the wind chill was around -60˚ this weekend and the HHR still performed flawlessly.....