Need some advice guys and gals...

At the end of November I'll be departing the UK for a 7,000 mile journey to the top of Europe (Nordkapp, Norway) above the Arctic Circle to raise money for Leukemia Research. I've done the journey in a MINI before but that was Autumn, whereas this is the depth of winter. I know some of you have done the Arctic mini run in Canada before so I need some advice, our UK MINIs see about a week of snowfall a year and we don't go anywhere if it snows

So besides needing to carry a set of winter wheels with snow tyres what else do I need to think about? What kind of fluids are going to be freezing when the MINI is subjected to -20oC?

Thanks for any help

 

I live in Montreal where we get long winters with some really heavy snow so hopefully I can give some useful insight:

A good set of thinner than usual winter wheels work because they cut into the snow better than wider ones. I think mine are 175 compared to 195 for summer. They look more dorky but they do a much better job. Get some nice steel rims to go with it, too. They can look pretty cool if you keep them nice.

I definitely wouldn't use water in my radiator but that's an obvious one.

I always keep an extendable shovel, flashlight, blanket, first aid kit, extra wiper fluid, antifreeze, motor oil in my boot (sounds Mary Poppinsish in trying to fit it all, but you can make good use of those side panels in the boot and back seat). And of course a snowbrush/scraper, hopefully extendable with a non-metal handle in case you forget your gloves. Some nut bars and water is good, too in case you get stranded.

If you're traveling in the middle of nowhere bring an emergency starter kit, too.

Also, I tend not to warm up my car at a standstill in the deep cold like most. I turn mine on for a couple of minutes while I clear the windows, but then drive off, keeping under 3000 rpm and low speed/acceleration until the temperature gauge is optimal.

I would lay off any high wattage electrical systems until warmed up as I find I get a lot of clicking coming from the electrical box if I turn on the fan, seat warmer, both defoggers, radio. Maybe it's an issue with my car, but it tends to only happen on the coldest of days (below -25C with wind factor).

Hope this helps!
Mike

 

Are you taking your '10 JCW? If so most of this won't apply as the car is new enough.....

For sure change your oil to whatever MINI recommends for those temps - I think I'd use 0W20 Synthetic.

Change your antifreeze too, no more than a 50/50 mix....some cardboard cut to fit in front of the radiator might be a good idea, not only to help with the temps but to keep snow from packing the radiator. You can overheat in the winter if the thermostat sticks or if your coolant freezes in one of the hoses blocking the flow.

It wouldn't hurt to flush your brake lines with fresh brake fluid either, in case there's any moisture in your lines.

If you can get a block heater installed ahead of time, that will make a world of difference, not just on starting but on warming up the interior too.

If your battery is the original, buy a new one and see if you can get one that's rated quite a bit higher in cold cranking amps.

Just remember, any water will freeze at those temps.

I think Mike covered everything else pretty well, although I carried a sleeping bag in the winter when I lived in Colorado and travelled cross country in the winter. Low to the ground is not your friend in deep snow driving, so when you get your winter tires don't go for the lowest aspect ratio, rather get taller ones - otherwise your MINI will become the local snowplow!

You might also contact the local MINI dealer and ask them if there's anything else you need to do.

Good luck, and some pics would be great!

 

I posted a thread back in January about an oil pan heater I installed -
Search > Show Post > Oil Pan Heater
Anyway, there was some good info in the responses that may be helpful to you.

 

I would say a way to call for help and also all your towing stuff (Hook/line). So somebody can pull you out if you ever get stuck.

 

Welcome to Norway!
I had no problem with my MCS this unusally cold winter. The car performed brilliantly on snow and the icy roads.
During the coldest nights this winter the temperatue were as low as -25oC/ -13oF. (..and I park outside on the parking-lot).
Don't park near moisty riverbeds with frost smoke. I've heard of people that had to defrost their new cars in a warm garage (the electrical system just came up with lots of error codes).
Fluids: Antifreeze in the radiator and anti-freeze wiperfluid.
Good luck and I hope you raise a lot of money for the good cause!

 

I agree with our Norwegian friend. My MCS never gave me a problem in the winter and clearance was never an issue after a snowfall. We've had two winters with surprisingly lots of snow.

Sounds like a lot of fun. On a side-note I heard there was an arctic trek for MINIs? Is this yearly?


Thanks!
Mike

 

Thanks for everyones advice, great stuff The website will be running in a few days, so I'll keep you updated

 

Most of my suggestions have already been touched by others but I'll give you the low down.

(background: First off I'm from Canada , I have tons of experience living, driving and working at -40C )

Tires:
Narrower are better. Smaller Contact area Equals more PSI applied to the ground. STUDDED tires, Non-Studded tires are ment for in city and freeway commuters with shallow snow not rural roads with deep snow. (Side note: you must look up laws were you plan to drive as to studded tires, and don't go by word of mouth, most canadians think studs are illegal and I can tell you I have lived in most provinces and worked in the rest. Unless you live in the greater Toronto area studs are legal everywhere else in Canada during certain dates of the year) SNOW CHAINS are a must if driving on less travelled roads.

Fluids:
For oil use recommended oil in owners manuel for the temps you are expecting and NOTHING else period. Seeing as BMW sells and builds cars in cold climates they know what they are talking about, so don't even think about trying something else. For coolant use 50/50. Change your Tranny oil before you go, the cold is hell on thick old tranny oil. Take tons of Window washer fluid you will use Tons, possibly 4 liters a day.

Extras:
Window wipers, the ice and frost on a windshield in the morning cuts up the edge of the wiper in no time. Shovel, Two spare tires. Tire pump.

Mods:
Electric Battery blanket is a must, anything below -15C will just be painful. If your expecting below -30 just do yourself a favour and remove the battery and take it indoors at night. Get yourself an AGM battery, night and day difference for cold starting, We start helicopters at -39c on an AGM battery the size of an avg car battery. Electric Heating pads Mounted to the oil pan and tranny. We use these on our helicopters from -10c to below -40 and the oil is warm the next morning. Get yourself Driving lights they are a must. Not sure if you use them in Europe but a CB radio is a major bonus. Install tow hooks front and back.

Driver Habits:
DO NOT enter the car first thing in the morning with a steaming drink. you'll pay for it with moisture on the windows. Until the car is at operating temp do not turn on the Fan, you are robbing heat from the engine and it takes much longer for it to get to Temp. The electric defrost and heated seats use tons of energy so turn them on after the engine starts, the load on the alternator will help the engine raise in temp. Use external air not recirulating air, if you don't use fresh air in the cabin you'll have a moisture build up from melting snow off your feet and your breath, come the next morning you'll end up with more frost on the inside of the windows then the outside. If your car is equipped with a turbo. make sure you let it cool down One minute after coming to a stop before turning off the engine.

And lastly drive with a cold cabin and tons of cloths, not a warm cabin with less cloths. If you end up pinned in your car, its going to get cold quick. And it might be awhile before someone see's you.

make sure you take pictures

 

Good luck with your trip and I second the request for pictures posted when you're done!

Lots of great advice too. I've spent my fair share of time all over the canadian arctic, operating like ecoheliguy in the -40 ranges for weeks at a shot, albeit with fixed wing twins.

I deffinatly second the electric battery blanket! It will make a world of difference on starts in the cold below say -15..

studded snowies make a huge difference!

Ecoheliguy.. you wouldnt happen to frequent a certain canadian aviation forum would ya?

 

I wouldn't say frequent but my handle is the same if you see me. I see you use to work with the coolest fixed wing ever built. I love the paint scheme too. See them lots in the NWT and Alberta