Hello everyone,

I'm currently looking at a 04 996 C4 S. However, since I live in the far north of Canada....it gets ridiculously cold here in the winter. I mean -45 kind of cold.

I'm trying to find details about the Cold Weather pkg/preparation for the 996...is there a block heater? if not, is there a way to add one?

Anyone else in the north of Canada or say Finland that can speak about the 996's abilities in very cold weather?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
sean:

 

I've been doing that kind of research myself, although more into drivability than super-cold engine performance. Most say that even the regular Carrera handles itself pretty decently in Winter conditions when piloted by an experienced driver and equipped with the proper tires. With the addition of AWD, I'd say you should have no problems at all.

As for the super-cold starting I'd use a 0w-40 in the Winter for sure. I can't find any reference to a 996 block heater at all, but there are aftermarket solutions available. The best bet would be a heated garage.

 

Odd, this same post got a TON of responses on RennList.

 

I have a block heater (mainly warming the engine oil, which should anyway be the most important thing to warm up before starting in cold temperatures) in my 996 4S from 2002. The heater is approved by Porsche and I got it fitted by my local Porsche dealer here in Stockholm, Sweden.

Here is the link to the manufacturer: http://www.defa.com/finn_dok_h.php3?...2&lang=3&ndid=

Let me know if you would like a photo of where / how it's placed on the engine.

 

I drive my 2002 C4S all year. We don't get quite that cold where I live, but we did have some nights last winter where the ambient temperature was -30 F. The C4S is absolutely the best winter car I have ever driven when equipped with proper winter tires in the Porsche recommended sizes. The ONLY issue I've every had is with deep snow. Anything more than 5 inches is tough because you can get "beached". When it gets deeper than that, I take the Cayenne!

 

Dennis-
Do you know the ride height on your C4s? I am hoping to get into a 997.2 C4S as a year-round daily driver, but have the "beached whale" concern that you mentioned. I'd rather do the 911 than move to the Cayenne (or maybe X6M) but I may have to...either that or figure out a way to get a lift into my garage....

 

Hey Max. How the block heater worked/works for you?