How To Winterize Your Vehicle

[EricTheCarGuy]

I look forward to hearing your tips on this one. I’m sure there’s a thing or 2 that I missed.

Topic

[SpawnedX]

http://www.tirechainsrequired.com/laws.html

[TunerQ]

ok so I look it up it’s illegal in my state……and now that i think of it I think they were online when I looked at ’em

[Lord Ihcalam]

Just remember to check state laws if you happen to travel into others. In Oregon it is illegal to enter a snow zone without carrying chains with you whether or not they are required. Stabil reformulated their product a few years ago to help preserve E-10 fuels as well (according to company literature namely their packaging labels). And not every state requires E-10 fuels.

[W00DBar0n]

[quote=”Lord Ihcalam” post=41050]Just remember to check state laws if you happen to travel into others. In Oregon it is illegal to enter a snow zone without carrying chains with you whether or not they are required.[/quote]
Same with BC Canada.

[Red Morris]

This isn’t specifically a winter thing, but it goes along with what to carry in the boot/trunk.

When I change the alternator and power steering belts I thrown the last set in the boot with the spare wheel. If one of them snaps I have a far greater chance of someone stopping with some tools, than someone stopping with some tools and the exact belt I happen to need. That works for something as common as a Ford Focus, but doubly so for a rare import car!

[cepsteve]

Hello from Fairbanks, AK,

Thanks for another good video with more good information. I can’t remember the last time the thermometer was above -20 so I thought I would add a few things that we use to keep our cars running.

Engine block heaters are good start. Most everyone up here also has battery and oil pan heaters as well. I don’t have one but a lot of people have trickle chargers for their batteries as well. I have even heard of heaters for automatic transmissions. I drive a manual so I don’t have one. A timer or outlet with a switch in the house that you can turn on 20 min before you need to start your car will help with the electric bill. Remote start isn’t critical but it is very convenient. If it’s down around -40 I will also let the engine run a little with no load on it to let it warm up. I’ve heard of rods and other expensive things breaking because the metal becomes brittle at those temps.

Traditional oils will sludge up and not flow as well when it gets to be around -20. Synthetics tolerate the cold better. Use synthetics for your oil, tranny, transfercase, and differentials.

When it gets below a certain temperature some shops charge at least $100 just to look at your vehicle. Like you mentioned get any repairs that you have been putting off done before winter sets in.

Diesel will also sludge up when it gets too cold. At work we put in half a bottle of Howes Diesel Treat when we fill up.

All the shops up here just recommend 70/30 antifreeze. If your car doesn’t get up to normal operating temperature or the heater doesn’t keep you warm, cover up your radiator. There are commercially available products, but cardboard works just fine.

Instead of snow tires I recommend driving slow.

Your survival kit was a good start. I carry something to start a fire with, a recovery strap, shovel, snacks, and arctic gear that will cover me head to toe whenever I leave town.

I’m sure there is more, but that’s all I can think of for now. I hope it helps.
P.S. A heated garage makes life a whole lot easier.

[Jordan]

I would have to say check your steal brake lines for bad rusted spots the extra salt on the road makes them rust so change the bad ones out now before the blow out on you when you need them most.

[Lord Ihcalam]

duct tape is also a good thing to carry.but thats for all year rather than just winter. can use it to mend hoses hold windshield wipers together, or in case of an accident hold body parts together on the car.

[Gord]

Not sure if this is a ‘get ready for winter’ thing or not. In fact I’m not sure it’s needed at all…

What about injector cleaning?

Is it just the shops trying to make some extra money 😉 or is it something that should be done. If so, how often?? I can’t say that I’ve ever seen it mentioned in any owner’s manual at all.

[herp derp]

Nice video, covered just about everything I do. Couple of things to add:

Grease every rubber spline or you won’t be able to open any doors after the first cold night.

Get an interior heater along with the engine heater, it allows you to drive without gloves on (lovely sub-zero steering wheels and gear levers!) as well as thaws your windows so you won’t have to scrape them all the time.

Also, it might be an all season thing but I always make sure to have a working flashlight and a reflective vest in the car during winter, in case I have to stop in a bad spot. Stay visible, stay alive.

[Don Holg]

I live where it is super cold. Many nights it is around -30 degrees celcius.

I’m wondering if anyone has used the warming pads you can plug in like a block heater but for oil pans or batteries and how well they work.

I think there’s a Wolverine brand that makes them, but there are also others.

Thanks

[Andy White]

I run a full synthetic oil and use a battery trickle charger and haven’t see the need for block heaters, etc. I also live where it gets down to those temps at night.

[Don Holg]

I put in full synthetic just before it got cold.

I was kind of wondering if the trickle charger or the warmers would be a better investment. They’re about the same price.

[Andy White]

I would get a trickle charger myself. I would get a Batteryminders unit as it also desulfates.

[Petr Miskerik]

Just one word :
Respect.
Respect for your knowledge, for your opinions, for your smartness.
Big respect and thanks for doing that amazing things for us Eric.

[Author]

Replies