OK - so scraping the ice from the car this morning, I noticed the temp on the dash read at -12.5 - which in my book is too cold for anything.

It got me thinking, what is the min temp (for UK fuels) that you should start and run a car at..

I know diesel has a min temp of about 0 - at which it starts clouding, but as additives are put in there to prevent this, the temp can go much lower.

So - with this in mind, at what temp would you consider min to start and run a car for both diesel and petrol?

I'm guessing in colder parts of Europe they have no issues with this, but in the UK we're lucky if the roads are prepared for ice, let alone anything else.

HTH

To be pedantic diesel doesn't freeze but jellifies.

Mine's been coping with below -10 regularly, and -15 this morning.

I saw on another thread, a sheet from one of the producers that stated -15*C is the temp where their standard uk derv can start to block up a cold fuel filter.

Quite what that means is I'm sure open to interpretation, but it's a starting point.

Copied from my Superb II handbook:

Winter-grade diesel fuel

A different grade of diesel fuel is available at filling stations in winter than during the

summer. Using “summer-grade diesel fuel” at temperatures below 0°C can result in

operational problems because the diesel becomes viscous as a result of paraffin

separation.

It is therefore the case that DIN EN 590 prescribes diesel fuel class for certain

periods of the year which can also be purchased at the corresponding time during

the year. “Winter-grade diesel fuel” will still operate properly even at a temperature

of -20°C.

It is often the case in countries with different climatic conditions that diesel fuels

available have a different temperature characteristic. Škoda Service Partners and

filling stations in the country concerned will be able to provide you with information

regarding the diesel fuels available.

Prewarming fuel

The vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter prewarming system. This secures operation of

a vehicle using diesel fuel down to an environmental temperature of -25°C.

My 2008 Superb II Hatch had heated fuel filter and my 2011 model also has the heated fuel filter. Edited spelling mistake.

Edited 21 December, 201015 yr by Guest