Winter's right around the corner, and even in her frigid, sub-zero depths, drivers expect nothing other than business as usual from their cars and trucks. For a look at how carmakers ensure flawless performance from their products in even the nastiest winter conditions, Justin Pritchard spoke with Chrysler's Aero-Thermal Development Team (ATDT) to get the scoop on cold-weather testing.
Justin: Where is cold weather testing performed? Is it possible to measure the effects of extreme cold on car parts in a controlled indoor facility?
ATDT: Cold test sites include Bemidji, Cass Lake and International Falls in Minnesota as well as Thompson, Manitoba; Inuvik, Northwest Territories; various sites in Alaska.
It is not only possible but desirable to test in a controlled indoor facility. If performance issues are discovered, they can be accurately reproduced to test "fixes" as they are developed, rather than having to hope for the identical conditions to be provided by Mother Nature. We've never had a moose run out in front of a vehicle in our test chamber, a distinct advantage of testing indoors!
Justin: How has cold weather testing changed in the last ten years?
ATDT: Vehicle development cycles are getting shorter because our technology has improved, and vehicle systems have become more complex, so there are more interactions to deal with between various components. Nothing really major has changed though- after all, cold is cold.
Justin: Are some vehicle components more sensitive to extreme cold than others?
ATDT: Batteries are quite sensitive to extreme cold and can lose a significant portion of their capacity when exposed. Adhesives and plastics have their limits too. One engineer recalls a cold trip where it reached -50F overnight. In the morning, all of the body side rub strips were laying on the parking lot because the adhesive had failed.
Justin: How does the cold affect a vehicle's fuel mileage, and are steps taken to minimize any negative effects?
ATDT: During the initial start up of an engine in extreme cold, fluids are thicker which makes the engine work harder. In addition, the fuel/ air ratio needs to be enriched until the engine begins to warm up. Modern electronic controls take into account many operating conditions, including outside temperature, and make adjustments to engine parameters to ensure the optimum performance of the engine. Owner's can help maximize their fuel economy in extreme cold by driving moderately until the engine and drive train fluids warm up.
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Justin: Where is cold weather testing performed? Is it possible to measure the effects of extreme cold on car parts in a controlled indoor facility?
ATDT: Cold test sites include Bemidji, Cass Lake and International Falls in Minnesota as well as Thompson, Manitoba; Inuvik, Northwest Territories; various sites in Alaska.
It is not only possible but desirable to test in a controlled indoor facility. If performance issues are discovered, they can be accurately reproduced to test "fixes" as they are developed, rather than having to hope for the identical conditions to be provided by Mother Nature. We've never had a moose run out in front of a vehicle in our test chamber, a distinct advantage of testing indoors!
Justin: How has cold weather testing changed in the last ten years?
ATDT: Vehicle development cycles are getting shorter because our technology has improved, and vehicle systems have become more complex, so there are more interactions to deal with between various components. Nothing really major has changed though- after all, cold is cold.
Justin: Are some vehicle components more sensitive to extreme cold than others?
ATDT: Batteries are quite sensitive to extreme cold and can lose a significant portion of their capacity when exposed. Adhesives and plastics have their limits too. One engineer recalls a cold trip where it reached -50F overnight. In the morning, all of the body side rub strips were laying on the parking lot because the adhesive had failed.
Justin: How does the cold affect a vehicle's fuel mileage, and are steps taken to minimize any negative effects?
ATDT: During the initial start up of an engine in extreme cold, fluids are thicker which makes the engine work harder. In addition, the fuel/ air ratio needs to be enriched until the engine begins to warm up. Modern electronic controls take into account many operating conditions, including outside temperature, and make adjustments to engine parameters to ensure the optimum performance of the engine. Owner's can help maximize their fuel economy in extreme cold by driving moderately until the engine and drive train fluids warm up.