P500 Will my P500 start in very cold weather?

[tomcj2]

Winter will soon be here. I will be leaving my P500 outside uncovered in my drive. I expect that temperatures will always be below freezing and may dip to 0º F (-18º C) or even colder on many nights.
I intend to use it for snow removal so I want it to start. I don't really care how long it takes to warm up. I just want to ensure that it will start.
I have changed the oil to 5w-30, and I always use ethanol-free regular gasoline with NAPA fuel conditioner.
I am considering one or more of the following:
- battery tender. I would probably mount it under the hood and connect it to the battery by using the cables from the winch solenoid.
- stick on, or magnetic oil pan heater. As most of these are designed for cars and therefore high wattage I would put it on a timer for only a couple of hours before I expect to drive.
Do I really need these add-ons? Do you have other suggestions?

What experience have you had with your machines in cold weather?

 

[Montecresto]

Winter will soon be here. I will be leaving my P500 outside uncovered in my drive. I expect that temperatures will always be below freezing and may dip to 0º F (-18º C) or even colder on many nights.
I intend to use it for snow removal so I want it to start. I don't really care how long it takes to warm up. I just want to ensure that it will start.
I have changed the oil to 5w-30, and I always use ethanol-free regular gasoline with NAPA fuel conditioner.
I am considering one or more of the following:
- battery tender. I would probably mount it under the hood and connect it to the battery by using the cables from the winch solenoid.
- stick on, or magnetic oil pan heater. As most of these are designed for cars and therefore high wattage I would put it on a timer for only a couple of hours before I expect to drive.
Do I really need these add-ons? Do you have other suggestions?

What experience have you had with your machines in cold weather?

I think that during those conditions if you have the ability to keep a battery tender on it for a crisp battery, you’ll have no trouble. But I would expect the Alaskan and Canadian members that see this will have the best tips for you.

 

[trigger]

Definitely a tender, I keep mine on one any time it's parked. Consider one of these, makes it easy.

https://www.amazon.com/OptiMATE-Cable-Weatherproof-socket-panel/dp/B0031BOTFC?tag=sxsweb24-20

 

[sporttrac4x4]

I would put a tarp or cover over it something to help keep the snow and ice off your pioneer.

 

[906UP]

I don't use mine during the winter but during a cold snap last January I was curious if it would start, overnight temps were -20f. I keep it in my neighbors unheated barn so the inside temp was very close to outside. It hadn't been started since early Nov, no battery tender, no heater, nothing special in the fuel. I turned the key and let the pump cycle then started, it fired quickly just as it would in the middle of summer. I'd say you have nothing to worry about.

 

[tomcj2]

I would put a tarp or cover over it something to help keep the snow and ice off your pioneer.

I will probably have a terrycloth cover for the windscreen and a tarp over the whole machine when snow is expected.

 

[Chooglin]

I agree with the above , a battery tender and a cover over the Pioneer and I think you should be good.

 

[DaddyDubbs]

If you need to purchase a battery tender/charger you might want to look into this combo:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LWTHP2/?tag=sxsweb24-20
and this dash mount
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009MI9L6U/?tag=sxsweb24-20
I really like having the dash plug in since getting to the battery and under hood is a PITA.

 

[Mudder]

Some interesting cold temps feedback, and don’t forget to check antifreeze. Surprised at the low temps. Maybe the other new members north of the border can add to the poll. LOL
P500 - Coldest temps for cold engine start up?

CTEK is another decent option. MUS 4.3 is a smart charger with selections from atv to deep cycle batteries, and a recondtion mode.
https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-864-Automatic-Battery-Charger/dp/B006G14FK8?tag=sxsweb24-20

 

[Little_g]

Should have no problem starting. Use a batter tender to keep the battery nice and charged.

 

[Buford]

magnetic heater ain't gonna work, the engine is all aluminum .
Also, Honda has a full synthetic 0W-30 you may want to consider using.

 

[alloutdoors]

Just a friendly question, the 5W30 is wet clutch approved?

Tender the battery, tarp it and place a 100W bulb in a safe place near the engine and place on a timer. On days you intend to use, I would have the 100w bulb come on 3-4 hours ahead of starting it. Further, I would put a thermometer down near the engine to see how different it is vs ambient temp and suspect it will be above freezing....

 

[TomB985]

The battery in the P5 is relatively beefy for that size engine, most motorycles have significantly smaller ones. Fuel injection is great...as long as the engine can crank fast enough, it will start. My mom has never had a problem with her P5 in NH, and I wouldn't expect you'll have any up there, either, as long as the battery stays charged.

 

[Russ989]

As long as you’re using it almost everyday, I don’t see it being a problem. We had a few days last winter that were -16 and mine never hesitated to start. I second everyone’s opinion on a tender, a hot battery is hard to beat.

 

[Smitty335]

As long as you’re using it almost everyday, I don’t see it being a problem. We had a few days last winter that were -16 and mine never hesitated to start. I second everyone’s opinion on a tender, a hot battery is hard to beat.

I keep hot batteries and a hot wife in the winter, you can take the hot wife as mad as hell or loving. Richard is going to turn this into a poll, just wait an see????

 

[Montecresto]

I keep hot batteries and a hot wife in the winter, you can take the hot wife as mad as hell or loving. Richard is going to turn this into a poll, just wait an see????

You’re wheels are hottest upside down and you know it, you scoundrel.

 

[Russ989]

I keep hot batteries and a hot wife in the winter, you can take the hot wife as mad as hell or loving. Richard is going to turn this into a poll, just wait an see????

Thank the heavens, you do have someone to answer to @Smitty335. You would be a danger to the community without her. Lol

 

[Hondasxs]

I keep hot batteries and a hot wife in the winter, you can take the hot wife as mad as hell or loving. Richard is going to turn this into a poll, just wait an see????

Poll. Which do u use most in the winter.
- battery tender.
- hot wife.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Montecresto]

Thank the heavens, you do have someone to answer to @Smitty335. You wound be a danger to the community without her. Lol

Smitty is a danger to any community.....but, I’ll vouch for him, and pull him out of a bind, every time we’re out.!!!!!!

 

[Buford]

Just a friendly question, the 5W30 is wet clutch approved?

Both the 5W-30 and the 0W-30 are JASO MA rated.