Hello All,

I know that the RL is a highly reliable car, but I wonder to myself if I am really "hurting" my car.

In the past two weeks here in the central Midwest, we have been hit day after day with extreme snow blizzards and extreme ice storms....and my RL has had to deal with the storms outside in the cold, as I do not have a garage.

This morning I got up and turned my car on. The outside temperature was -5F with wind chill of -25F. Everything was frozen, my door handles, my windows, mirrors, everything.

As soon as I started the car, I noticed that the engine was making a louder sound than usual. I also suddenly got the three warning lights altogether - VSA, SH-AWD, AFL systems malfunctioning.

I warmed up the car for about 5 minutes, drove down the block and turn the car off and then on. All the lights went away, everything seems like it's back to normal.

My question is: Do you guys think that constantly leaving the car outside in such extreme weather conditions can somehow damage it?

I spent too much money on this car to harm it in anyway, and I really want to know if I am. I can easily park it at my sisters house in her garage and drive something else, until this ridiculous winter storm settles down.

Thanks for your input!

 

If it gets that cold often, I'd invest in an engine block heater, which Honda sells for the RL (gotta keep those Canucks and Alaskans happy). Making sure you have the right weight of oil and antifreeze mixture for the environment may be helpful too. The rest seems like the wheel orientation and velocity sensors were cold, which there isn't much you can do to prevent, but these cars can handle it. Worry not.

 

Living in MN we yearly experience temperatures similar to what you have recently encountered in KS. All my Hondas/Acuras have tolerated such temperatures without detriment. I don't believe that you are hurting your car by keeping it outside. At work, my car remains outside for 8-12hrs (depending on the day) and it is not uncommon to get in the car with the thermometer in the car stating the temp is -10.

A few tips, though, to keep your car running well in such climates. Make sure your coolant is up to spec for the temperatures. Windshield washer fluid also should be rated to below zero temps. If your drive involves immediately jumping onto the highway after starting, let the car warm up a bit before embarking on the highway on ramp.

 

My RL was outside for the entire winter last year and I had no issues at all, other than with the weak-sauce OEM battery, which I suspect is the culprit in the OP's situation.

It's likely almost time to replace your battery.

 

Thanks for your input guys.

Actually my battery is almost new, just replaced a few months ago. The car starts just fine, but due to the low temperatures, the engine does make a louder sound then usual.

Although the engine block heater is a good suggestion, I don't think it will do me any good. I will make sure that all my fluids are up to specs, but do you guys think I should also add a fuel additives with my gas? If so what kinds?

Thanks

 

I typically add one of those small bottles of fuel line anti-freeze/dryer at the beginning of the winter season. They sell for less than a dollar a bottle and remove any moisture from your tank. If you drive your car often during these cold temperature, then it really isn't mandatory but is inexpensive and doesn't hurt your car.

 

Just make sure you warm up your car and don't abuse it when it's cold.

We deal with the same here in Wisco.

 

Thanks to the OP for posting this question. I was in upper upper minnesota over Christmas, and had the same problem one chilly morning.....all three warning lights. I stopped in Fargo on the way home and turned off the engine and restarted it and everything went back to normal. My RL doesn't like the extreme cold either.

 

Luckily we've had good weather here in the past week. I really did not do anything to the car. I read in a another thread that someone recommended the fuel injector cleaner Techtron. I used that and I noticed a smoother ride. I will definitely use this product every 3000 miles. It only costs about $7 and works great.