Winterize
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Menlo Park, CA
Originally Posted by SumAznGuy,Dec 14 2008, 01:06 AM
Use fuel stabilizer if you are going to park your car for any amount of time. The gas in the tank will turn to varnish if you don't. And when you run the car, the varnish will gum up the injectors and fuel lines. Cheap insurance.
As for winter, check the coolant. Try to keep 3/4 tank of gas in the car. Last thing you want to do is run out of gas.
SNOW TIRES. Make sure the tires are properly inflated.
Lots of washer fluid. New wiper blades.
Keep some salt or sand in the trunk in case you get stuck. Some candles and water in the car incase you get stranded. Extra clothing and blankets.
As for winter, check the coolant. Try to keep 3/4 tank of gas in the car. Last thing you want to do is run out of gas.
SNOW TIRES. Make sure the tires are properly inflated.
Lots of washer fluid. New wiper blades.
Keep some salt or sand in the trunk in case you get stuck. Some candles and water in the car incase you get stranded. Extra clothing and blankets.
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Originally Posted by SumAznGuy,Dec 14 2008, 11:24 AM
The oil in the motor will flow down to the oil pan leaving the internals to have metal on metal contact for the first few seconds upon motor startup. It takes a little bit of time before the oil pump pumps the oil to the top of the motor.
Also, normal engine operation will produce water in the exhast. Without high temps, the water may pool in the exhast and now your exhaust internals might rust out.
Also, normal engine operation will produce water in the exhast. Without high temps, the water may pool in the exhast and now your exhaust internals might rust out.
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From: Hongcouver or Gangcouver?
Originally Posted by RabidRat,Dec 14 2008, 02:02 PM
Which works better, salt or sand? Where can I get this stuff?
Sand will help get you some traction. But I would leave a bag of salt in the car.
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From: Hongcouver or Gangcouver?
One last thing, get your battery checked. WIth the could weather, a weak battery may not be strong enough to start the car.
And with the cold weather, the oil in the motor will run thicker which will require more juice to get the motor to turn over.
Since we are in a stretch of sub zero temps as a high, I recommend getting an oil change and making sure the oil will stay liquid in this weather.
And with the cold weather, the oil in the motor will run thicker which will require more juice to get the motor to turn over.
Since we are in a stretch of sub zero temps as a high, I recommend getting an oil change and making sure the oil will stay liquid in this weather.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Hongcouver or Gangcouver?
For coolant, it is more important in the summer, but important none the less.
In the winter, you want to make sure the anti-freeze is still good or else it could freeze over and that could cause problems. When liquid freezes, it will expand and that can cause an issue in your radiator/hoses/motor.
In the winter, you want to make sure the anti-freeze is still good or else it could freeze over and that could cause problems. When liquid freezes, it will expand and that can cause an issue in your radiator/hoses/motor.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: The 604
Originally Posted by SumAznGuy,Dec 15 2008, 09:37 AM
One last thing, get your battery checked. WIth the could weather, a weak battery may not be strong enough to start the car.
And with the cold weather, the oil in the motor will run thicker which will require more juice to get the motor to turn over.
Since we are in a stretch of sub zero temps as a high, I recommend getting an oil change and making sure the oil will stay liquid in this weather.
And with the cold weather, the oil in the motor will run thicker which will require more juice to get the motor to turn over.
Since we are in a stretch of sub zero temps as a high, I recommend getting an oil change and making sure the oil will stay liquid in this weather.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Hongcouver or Gangcouver?
Just random things that I thought of today.
If you have old wipers, maybe it is time to get new wipers.
If you park outdoors for an extended period of time, list the wipers off the windsheild. If it is cold and there is any moisture, the wipers may freeze onto the windsheild and you might rip the wipers when you go to use them.
People at work are putting cardboard overtop of the windows so when they leave work, there is not as much frost on the windsheilds.
Change out and or top up the windsheild washer fluid. Try to get some winter stuff that will not freeze or has a lower freezing point.
If you are using DOT 5.1 brake fluid, check to see that stuff is still good in the winter. I know Motul DOT 5.1 brake fluid is not as good as their DOT 4 fluid in the winter time.
If the tranny oil and rear diff oil is old, be prepared for the tranny to be stiff or some gear grind when you first drive the car. It will take some time for the car to warm up and same with the fluids in the diff and tranny.
Al's shovel ideal is a good one.
Check the tires because the tire pressure can vary greatly from when they are cold to normal driving temps. For the tires, high pressure is better for the tire to cut through the snow, accelerating, braking, and turning.
If you have old wipers, maybe it is time to get new wipers.
If you park outdoors for an extended period of time, list the wipers off the windsheild. If it is cold and there is any moisture, the wipers may freeze onto the windsheild and you might rip the wipers when you go to use them.
People at work are putting cardboard overtop of the windows so when they leave work, there is not as much frost on the windsheilds.
Change out and or top up the windsheild washer fluid. Try to get some winter stuff that will not freeze or has a lower freezing point.
If you are using DOT 5.1 brake fluid, check to see that stuff is still good in the winter. I know Motul DOT 5.1 brake fluid is not as good as their DOT 4 fluid in the winter time.
If the tranny oil and rear diff oil is old, be prepared for the tranny to be stiff or some gear grind when you first drive the car. It will take some time for the car to warm up and same with the fluids in the diff and tranny.
Al's shovel ideal is a good one.
Check the tires because the tire pressure can vary greatly from when they are cold to normal driving temps. For the tires, high pressure is better for the tire to cut through the snow, accelerating, braking, and turning.