Hello,

I'm taking a minor road trip next Febuary.

It's 5,000 miles, 15 countries, in 13/14 days.

Anyway, I'm going very far north, about 250 - 350 miles north of the artic circle, and I have been warned that with wind chill it can get to -30*c quite easily.

I understand that things are going to freeze when I park the car or even when I am driving it, such as the washer jets. A fellow Briskodian mentioned "Webasto heater" does this mean anything to you?

If anyone here lives in a cold place can you please let me know what freeze easily and what to do it everything is frozen in the morning?

If anyone is interested in joining me on the trip go to the official Scumball website where the happy chaps there are letting me create as many topics as I like in the "Other Events" section of the forum.

SEE HERE FOR MORE INFO

Thanks guys, hopefully someone can help me out! Just so you know I am going to get myself an Octavia 4x4 Turbo Estate.

EDIT: I have just finished planning the route, it is actually just over 6,200 miles in 14 days. I need to work out how many countries I think it maybe be 18 now.. Damn... Going to cost about £1,000 in fuel...

Webasto heater will use burn a little fuel to bring your cooling system up to temperature rapidly. You would pretty much want one of these (esp if it's a diesel you drive) as otherwise your heating won't get up to temp for ages at anything like -30*C.

- Washer fluid will freeze. I think you need 2 parts or even more of the skoda stuff to every one part of water for those sort of temperatures, but you might need more to go down below 30.

- Diesel will wax over at those temps. Older diesels had a fuel heater at the back of the engine that usually involves some pipes directly above the exhaust pipes containing the fuel so that when you got the car started the fuel supply was preheated such that fuel entering the cylinders was not waxed.

- Surface of brake discs can build up ice layers easily, so maybe some groved disks, but also suitable pads as normal pads will have almost no friction at low low temperatures until you warm them up by braking. If you are not braking very often then you would want suitable compound for these conditions.

- The engine oil can thicken up, so make sure you have had a oil change before you go and obviously make sure you take some spare and check the level before you start the journey.

- You can get heated washer jets with a small inductive heater in them to allow you to use them, however wiperblades will freeze to the screen.

- Most external motors such as wing mirrors can freeze up if the air is moist and cold.

Thats from what i remember being told last time i spoke to somebody who lived in denmark and was my housemate for a few years.

A few more tips from Finland:

- Check coolant fluid freezing temperature / empty & refill with proper concentration if current mixture more than 2 years old

- Check the battery condition, cold environment can really take its toll on a low power battery, hence giving you just one / none chance of firing up the engine

- Consider replacing the spark plugs

Webasto would indeed be a good choice. A very common piece of equipment here in Finland is an electric block heater installed to the side of the engine with an optional connection for a heater inside the passenger compartment. Naturally requires external power to run. Estimated price for an installed Webasto unit is around 1400 euros, the electric option perhaps around 500 including the cabin equipment.

BTW, If everything is frozen, do not set up even a small bonfire under the engine, unless you really need to create a fairly expensive signal fire

LOL that used to work on the old diesels, but i don't think it would be a good idea under a car :p

Cool thanks for the info guys.

Please keep it coming as I'm going to need as much help as I can get.

If you can keep the advice coming, I shall put a nice big Briskoda sticker on my car for the trip.

When are you planning on going? Sorry, can't access t'other site from work....

Febuary 2007 Probably the first and second week as it seems to be the cheapest for accomodation for some reason.

Make sure you have a small pack sleeping bag, warm coat and gloves in the car at all times, along with sunglasses. You might not think it but the sun comes up at some really annoying angles for a lot of the day near poles.

Also possibly visit a specialist and have the injectors cleaned so they are clear before you go, don't forget snow chains and a good ice scraper for the windows. I don't think de-icer works either at those sort of temperatures (or not the cheap stuff you can buy here) as it clears but then refreezes as a sheet.

What fuel is the car running on?

Tyres! Very very important.

Thats a damn good point, you definately want winter tyres.

Make sure you have a small pack sleeping bag' date=' warm coat and gloves in the car at all times, along with sunglasses. You might not think it but the sun comes up at some really annoying angles for a lot of the day near poles.

Also possibly visit a specialist and have the injectors cleaned so they are clear before you go, don't forget snow chains and a good ice scraper for the windows. I don't think de-icer works either at those sort of temperatures (or not the cheap stuff you can buy here) as it clears but then refreezes as a sheet.

What fuel is the car running on?[/quote']

I will be putting high octane fuel in it.

Well I'm not sure which tyres I am going to need.

I was going to buy myself an extra set of wheels and fit them with winter tyres and then when I get into Sweden and stuff starts to get slippery I was going to swap them over, but it seems I may need studded.

Does anyone have any info on studded tyres?

How long do they last?

Are they cheap or expensive to buy abroad?

Probably cheaper to buy abroad, very few places here sell them.

For winter tyres, I like the Pirellis, Contis and Good Year ones as they are available in V rated (most winter tyres are only H rated). Means that you are unlikely to run into trouble on your insurance by fitteing lower rated tyres, also means that 140 is still OK

Have you thought of booking a skidpan session somewhere that has a cradle, so you caqn see how the car is likely to handle on snow and ice? Not essential but potentially good fun

Oh and something I'd recommend, bearing in mind the location and time of year, a set of big FO spotlights - it is rather dark up there

You may also find fuel hard to come by, get at least 1 25l jerry can. Tow rope may prove useful, along with some mats and a shovel.

I think I might have to do the car up like a proper rally car lol.

I probably going to end up needing sponsorship lol!!

It's a lot further than I thought actually, and to do it in the 14 days I've got to do it I'm pretty much going to be driving all day stopping every few hours and at sights and getting to hotel, drinking, sleeping, getting up and driving again.

It doesn't bother me, but I'm going to struggle to find someone who wants to go with me!!

Nice idea for a trip, but why do this in the Winter? I know accomodation is cheaper, but you get to see nothing!

You will have about 2 hours of daylight (more Greylight) a day around the arctic circle.

With all the extra equipment you would taken into account I think you may be better off paying the summer accomodation prices!

Unless it is the challenge you are after.... ;-)

Suggest using winter tyres on the car as standard. If you pick the right ones then they will last just fine on normal roads in moderate temperatures and are alot grippier at low temperatures. Rather then studded tyres I am sure I have seen studs being added to tyres on ralley cars, but I really think you want to speak to a tyre place.

Somewhere like protyre or mitcheldever tyres would be able to give you info. If you speak to the right people at some companies you might get lucky and they might provide the tyres and their services in exchange for some advertising/stickers on your car.

I didn't realise winter tyres where any good on dry roads, I suppose I am not going to be going very fast anyway when it does get dry.

As for going in the winter I chose Febuary because it is cheaper, and there is lots of cool snow. I like a challenge, and also Febuary is right on the turn around point for most northern places. The sun rises at 8am and sets at 4 - 5pm so I do get some daylight. Plus I want to an experience!

If you can think of any companies I could write too and apply for sponsorship?

I wonder if TomTom would? Since SebastionSebastion will be getting me to and from most of the places.

I read on i think the mitchalin site that they wear quicker and don't corner as well due to the softer compound and higher tread pattern, however you can get all seasons tyres which combine the traits of both.

I'd speak to mitcheldever tyres or another big tyre fitting company, they might do you the tyres or something in exchange for sponsorship. A skoda main dealer or even skoda UK might too (Assuming you are going in a skoda, if not then applies).

Octavia 4x4 Turbo!

Seemed perfect for the job. Good strong engine, smart 4x4 system, ESP, and plenty of room.

I have got plenty of time to arrange everything. At the moment all I have done is plan the route. I still need to locate accomdation, boot ferrys and things, and apply for my Russian Visa.

I'm definatly putting a huge Briskoda sticker on the car. Perhaps the site owners could donate some?

wow, id love to do a trip like this... good luck enjoy it and sponsorship is a good idea

edit: make sure your air-con is fully gassed.... believe it or not you may need it!! even in those temps to keep humidity down and stop the windows steaming up.

wow' date=' id love to do a trip like this... good luck enjoy it and sponsorship is a good idea

edit: make sure your air-con is fully gassed.... believe it or not you may need it!! even in those temps to keep humidity down and stop the windows steaming up.[/quote']

I thought about that actually. The car is going to have a full service, including aircon service the week before I go. That gives me a weeks use to spot any problems before I go.

I like the idea of sponsorship, would be cool to have my car covered in decals for the event. But I am not sure how much people would generally pay for have their name on a car for 2 weeks, albeit over 6,000 miles.

Anywho. Once I get myself a website and forum I shall give out the address and if you are interested I shall keep it updated with information.

Can I ask what your motivation is for doing such a trip? Purely vocational or is it for charity or something?

You may worry a bit less if you consider the fact that a Dutch team managed to finish the 2006 Arctic Challenge driving a FWD rental Octavia on normal tyres - in a time that would have had them finish 9th overall, discounting the delay they suffered when their original Audi quattro lost its gearbox somewhere down in Germany...

After the finish the crew returned the Octy to the German rental service where they got it from, with 8500 miles on the clock, and reported no problems at all.

Sounds like an awesome experience. Good luck with it, and looking forward to lots of pictures.