For some reason, I keep getting one cold after another since I bought my S2000 in September. It must be from driving around in 40 degree weather with the top down and my winter hat on.

I personally don't mind a chill here and there, but is there any truth to the theory that inadequate clothing can make you more perceptible to catching a cold? I thought my mom was bullshitting me as a kid when she insisted that I either bundle-up "or catch a cold" every morning.

*sneeze*

 

Thanks to a good heating system in the S (especially the air vents on the dash blasting right into the hands), it can probably be driven with the topdown even in very cold temperature. The one problem area is head protection against cold wind, especially for taller drivers. In order to enjoy (?) more topdown driving even in the winter time, I bought this goofy hat from Century 21 this past weekend on Long Island. It's a baseball style hat but with flaps coming down on the sides protecting the ears and the neck area. Bundle in this warm hat along with a turtleneck sweater I should be able to do some topdown driving even in the middle of winter

Any other headgear recommendations that would be a little less goofy ?

 

I can't wait to have this problem, my car is due in April, and living in Upstate New York I know this will be an issue. And as far as your Mom is concerned, I'm no doctor and they would probably say you can't get a cold from being cold, but I say go with your Mom's wisdom, they do after all call it a cold.

I'm thinking you should try a good warm Balaclava. I would check out a ski or outdoor sporting store. Of course there is the obvious solution that would be hysterically funny, sure to get some looks, a helmet!

 

Now that's too funny. I was talking to my girlfriend about getting one of these just the other day. She said, and I quote: "not with me in the car".

 

You do not increase the liklihood of catching a cold by not bundling up. Your mom was bull shitting you.

The issue of top down driving in cold weather is not being cold but at what temperature does it become unsafe in terms of the plastic rear window cracking when you put the top down. I think it's safe to about 40 deg F.

 

I drive mine with the top down if it is not raining, almost regardless of temp (within reason). To answer that health related question, you cannot get a cold from the cold, but cold air does degrade your immune system, which means that if you are currently fighting off a cold and you expose yourself cold temps, your chances of getting sick will increase. As for the hat...i would wear a ski mask and goggles if it meant i could drive my s with the top down for another day!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by David
[B]You do not increase the liklihood of catching a cold by not bundling up.

 

The only way to catch a cold is to be exposed to the "bug" that causes the cold. The weather has nothing to do with it. The perception comes from the fact that we tend to get more colds in the winter time. But researchers suggest that this is because we spend more time indoors and therefore increase our chance of exposing and sharing colds with each other.

You can go stand in the rain on a 20 degree day for 8 hours and not catch a cold. You'd be stupid to do that but you still won't catch a cold.

 

What CRitchie said is correct. Warm, crowded rooms full of coughing, sneezing people are what transmits the cold virus; however, being cold, wet, etc. can compromise your immune system and make you more susceptible to something like bronchitis or pneumonia.

 

Oops! I meant susceptible.