Driving to the Arctic circle.
Discussion
I'm taking a drive up to Kirkenes which is at the top of Norway next to the Russian border in two weeks.
Going in a brand new carrera 4 GTS, got the winter tyres fitted, taking no chains but some de-icer!
Now, I'm fully experienced of alpine driving having lived in a ski resort and am totally comfortable with Swiss/Austrian mountain climate and weather etc and also driven southern Norway and Sweden.
However, the arctic circle promises to be a tad colder, it's been -45c in the last few weeks and I'm thinking, how cold before the engine freezes?
Has anyone done something similar?
I will be passing the Porsche driving ice school in Finland, so know the cars are living up there in these conditions all winter.
Do Porsche make all the cars off the production line the same cold weather spec? or should I take a trip to the dealer for a proper cold weather setup.....
Of course I could hit a warm spell and it be just below 0c.
Any views would be appreciated, even just for humour!!
Going in a brand new carrera 4 GTS, got the winter tyres fitted, taking no chains but some de-icer!
Now, I'm fully experienced of alpine driving having lived in a ski resort and am totally comfortable with Swiss/Austrian mountain climate and weather etc and also driven southern Norway and Sweden.
However, the arctic circle promises to be a tad colder, it's been -45c in the last few weeks and I'm thinking, how cold before the engine freezes?
Has anyone done something similar?
I will be passing the Porsche driving ice school in Finland, so know the cars are living up there in these conditions all winter.
Do Porsche make all the cars off the production line the same cold weather spec? or should I take a trip to the dealer for a proper cold weather setup.....
Of course I could hit a warm spell and it be just below 0c.
Any views would be appreciated, even just for humour!!
Having checked the vehicle manual it says the coolant provides freezing down to -37c
so this is probably enough....
I have checked the last 2 months of weather data around lapland and whilst -20c is common it has only hit -45c once and -40c 3 times.
Historic data for early March is a tad warmer with -35c being the record low in the last 3 years.
However, I'm off to the OPC on Wednesday for an actual check of the fluid itself.
Its also correct that locals up there mostly run studded tyres all winter, but having checked all the countries driving laws, winters are required, studs are optional. plus can you imagine them making N rated studded tyres?, a whole new topic there!!!
The local fuel is treated as necessary for their temperatures, and screen wash will be bought as we are on the way, emptying the existing tank first.
I'm going to take a short shovel, ice scraper and some gloves!
I have the torque wrench/breaker bar for the centre locks in the car already.
So almost ready to go.
Keep your advice/opinions/wishes coming, I will try and get some photos and info posted as I go. You never know I might need someone to come up and rescue me!!!
so this is probably enough....
I have checked the last 2 months of weather data around lapland and whilst -20c is common it has only hit -45c once and -40c 3 times.
Historic data for early March is a tad warmer with -35c being the record low in the last 3 years.
However, I'm off to the OPC on Wednesday for an actual check of the fluid itself.
Its also correct that locals up there mostly run studded tyres all winter, but having checked all the countries driving laws, winters are required, studs are optional. plus can you imagine them making N rated studded tyres?, a whole new topic there!!!
The local fuel is treated as necessary for their temperatures, and screen wash will be bought as we are on the way, emptying the existing tank first.
I'm going to take a short shovel, ice scraper and some gloves!
I have the torque wrench/breaker bar for the centre locks in the car already.
So almost ready to go.
Keep your advice/opinions/wishes coming, I will try and get some photos and info posted as I go. You never know I might need someone to come up and rescue me!!!
Howitzer said:
I drove to Nordkapp with my wife in Feb 2012 in an old 110 Defender.
Use local screenwash.
Take a booster pack, I didn't need mine down to -36 but if you can't start your engine, you are then just reliant on someone to help you, which isn't ideal.
CArry warm clothing and food in the car.
WHENEVER you get out of the car in silly cold conditions dress appropriately, I spent 5 minutes adjusting a radiator muff in strong wind at -20 odd and it took an hour of drinking coffee and being in a warm car to recover properly.
Enjoy it, we had the heater on low speed and were heating up a van with no bulkhead so a Porsche should have no problems. We fitted studs to some Mud Terrain tyres and they were great but when we go again, a full set of normal winters will be more than enough.
Take lots of pictures, it's incredibly beautiful at that time of year and it has some really big scenery to soak up.
Dave!
Blimey, a 110 all the way and back, you deserve a medal!Use local screenwash.
Take a booster pack, I didn't need mine down to -36 but if you can't start your engine, you are then just reliant on someone to help you, which isn't ideal.
CArry warm clothing and food in the car.
WHENEVER you get out of the car in silly cold conditions dress appropriately, I spent 5 minutes adjusting a radiator muff in strong wind at -20 odd and it took an hour of drinking coffee and being in a warm car to recover properly.
Enjoy it, we had the heater on low speed and were heating up a van with no bulkhead so a Porsche should have no problems. We fitted studs to some Mud Terrain tyres and they were great but when we go again, a full set of normal winters will be more than enough.
Take lots of pictures, it's incredibly beautiful at that time of year and it has some really big scenery to soak up.
Dave!
So I'm almost ready to go.
Next week I will be leaving.
OPC has checked the car over, engine good for -30c, but checking the local weather long range it should'nt get colder than this.
Good to read some of your experiences and top tips.
Will post up a few pics and updates as and when I can.
Any more comments are greatly appreciated.
Next week I will be leaving.
OPC has checked the car over, engine good for -30c, but checking the local weather long range it should'nt get colder than this.
Good to read some of your experiences and top tips.
Will post up a few pics and updates as and when I can.
Any more comments are greatly appreciated.
So have set off, although a bit later than I wanted to
First 1250miles in 24 hours to Oslo
Started snowing as I entered Norway.
A few days rest and off north again Friday.
Lots of snow forecast temperatures around -1 to -10c for the next 5 days where I'm going.
it was unfortunate I had winter tyres on in Germany, had to stop at 155mph due to speed ratings, could of easy of gone 190mph+ on summers or in my GT3...
First 1250miles in 24 hours to Oslo
Started snowing as I entered Norway.
A few days rest and off north again Friday.
Lots of snow forecast temperatures around -1 to -10c for the next 5 days where I'm going.
it was unfortunate I had winter tyres on in Germany, had to stop at 155mph due to speed ratings, could of easy of gone 190mph+ on summers or in my GT3...
I Had forgotten I started this thread...!
We all survived and I wrote a blog for RPMTechnik's website.
see link here,
https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/blog/norwegian-nomad/
Its a bit of a read, but then again, it was a bit of a journey....
We all survived and I wrote a blog for RPMTechnik's website.
see link here,
https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/blog/norwegian-nomad/
Its a bit of a read, but then again, it was a bit of a journey....
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