Winter weather is upon us! For our street driven customers & enthusiasts - as temperatures drop, your vehicles will potentially behave differently. This is normal and expected, especially for customers on E85, drag radials, or forced induction setups. A few key points to keep in mind as the winter weather approaches:
• Colder air is denser. Many cars will see higher boost, quicker throttle response, and increased power. This is normal and yet, if you were on the edge or up against a ceiling in your combination, this could lead to a failure if you have not addressed this previously or have not increased the ceiling (IE: pump upgrade needed, injector upgrade needed, etc.).
• Traction will decrease on cold pavement. Drag radials and similar compounds harden in low temperatures and lose grip. Expect more traction control intervention and wheelspin when the tires and road are cold. Be safer than usual during these times.
• E85 content changes seasonally. Winter blends often contain less ethanol. Always verify ethanol content before filling up. Lower ethanol content will change fueling behavior and cold-start characteristics. Reminder, we require verified, tested, E80+ for our E85R files.
• E85 cold starts will run richer by design. Longer crank times (maybe multiple attempts, even), brief idle fluctuation, and visible vapor from the exhaust are typical in cold weather & will possibly increase in extreme temps.
• Battery voltage drops in colder conditions. Low voltage can cause odd symptoms or inconsistent behavior, such as not being able to flash via your OBDII Port. Ensure your battery is in good condition, especially if the vehicle runs E85 or aftermarket pumps. Use of a battery tender during the winter months can help to avoid any issues.
• Transmission behavior changes until fully warmed up. 10R80 vehicles may feel harsher at first, and MT82 cars will shift more notchy until fluid temperatures stabilize.
These changes are normal for winter temperatures and are not indicators of a tune-related issue. Allow the vehicle to reach proper operating temperatures before aggressively driving, verify ethanol content regularly, and be mindful of traction on cold tires and pavement.
Stay tuned!
-Lund Racing Team
Winter Driving Tips for your Lund Racing Tuned Mustang & F150s
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