Cold weather car care tips. (living, cost, to move)

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Um. Yeah. Everyone puts the same stuff in your radiator, winter or summer. Don't you put coolant in your radiator? That's the same stuff you put in to keep it from freezing. I've never heard of "winterizing" a car either.
BTW, mr.cool had the temps wrong when he said the pavement buckled in Madison, it was actually over 100. And I, fool that I am, had the top down. I left the grocery store, assuming I'd cool off breezing down the highway, and then I got stuck in traffic because the pavement had buckled. I looked at the thermometer on my convertible, and it was 104. I think I'll be able to handle Florida summers.

[tommy-105]

I always winterized my vehicles. Did it when I lived in Ontario and also on Long Island where it was milder. I don't feel any need to be worried about it right now though. Maybe the term winterize is old school.

Basically: check antifreeze to water ratio in radiator (with a tester), check electrolyte level in battery (again with a tester), change oil to thinner viscosity,
replace cheap wiper fluid with the good stuff, replace wiper blades.

Winterize Your Vehicle

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Originally Posted by tommy-105

I always winterized my vehicles. Did it when I lived in Ontario and also on Long Island where it was milder. I don't feel any need to be worried about it right now though.

Basically: check antifreeze to water ratio in radiator (with a tester), check electrolyte level in battery (again with a tester), change oil to thinner viscosity,
replace cheap wiper fluid with the good stuff, replace wiper blades.

Winterize Your Vehicle

Pretty much what you need to do in the summer as well!

[tommy-105]

Originally Posted by mrcoolmrcool28

Pretty much what you need to do in the summer as well!

Well... no actually, some of it is the exact opposite of what I do in summer.

[Ladywithafan]

My SUV does not like the cold...I warm it up 10 min prior to taking off....

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Originally Posted by tommy-105

Well... no actually, some of it is the exact opposite of what I do in summer.

Really?? like what?? Mr.Cold

[tommy-105]

I guess you don't do your own maintenance. Either that or your playing dumb.

You live in a rural area (just like I have), where getting stranded in the snow could mean big trouble. Are you trying to get me to believe that you don't prepare you vehicles differently for winter driving, with special attention given to the fluids.

[jvelte]

Originally Posted by tommy-105

I always winterized my vehicles. Did it when I lived in Ontario and also on Long Island where it was milder. I don't feel any need to be worried about it right now though. Maybe the term winterize is old school.

Basically: check antifreeze to water ratio in radiator (with a tester), check electrolyte level in battery (again with a tester), change oil to thinner viscosity,
replace cheap wiper fluid with the good stuff, replace wiper blades.

Winterize Your Vehicle

Sounds like general maintenance, not necessarily winterizing. Late model vehicles (late-90s and newer) no longer require different types of oil for different seasons. But, some people like the extra piece of mind, and if that piece of mind only costs $30 or so, than it's probably worth it to them.

[jvelte]

Originally Posted by tommy-105

I guess you don't do your own maintenance. Either that or your playing dumb.

You live in a rural area (just like I have), where getting stranded in the snow could mean big trouble. Are you trying to get me to believe that you don't prepare you vehicles differently for winter driving, with special attention given to the fluids.

I have over 200,000 Michigan miles on my chevy pickup. Never done anything different with fluids for winter driving. I just have a remote starter for the cold mornings. Now I'll need it down here for the hot days to get the A/C going

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Originally Posted by tommy-105

I guess you don't do your own maintenance. Either that or your playing dumb.

You live in a rural area (just like I have), where getting stranded in the snow could mean big trouble. Are you trying to get me to believe that you don't prepare you vehicles differently for winter driving, with special attention given to the fluids.

Nope, I do nothing different from summer to winter driving, and i drive my truck about 35 to 40 thousand miles per year. Your owners manual will tell you what oil to use and if you don't follow the recommended oil you could void the warantee! 10w30 for ALL driving year round, washer fluid, battery fluid, brake fluid, coolant is all the same year round, nothing special just for winter. You guessed wrong, I do most of my own maintenance. Mr.Cold