I've got two questions dor all of you that live in cold weather climates:

1)How do you wash your car in the winter? (it's already becomeing to cold for me to go outside in a t-shirt to hose here down)

2)Is there anything I should do to mys car before freezing sets in (Other than winter tires?)

- Ohlias

 

1) Goto a indoor heated car wash place to wash your car and make sure the car is dry before you drive out.

2) Check the coolant to see if there is enough anti-freeze in it. Also, make sure you change the winshield washer to the winter formula.

 

If your car is parked outside and it snows a lot then it might be a good idea to get a car cover, if you don't mind taking it off every morning. I also heard that spraying the undercarriage with hot water will get rid of the road salts. As for preparing for winter, I guess you can switch to a lighter cold weight oil like from 10W30 to 5W30 or even 0W30 if you haven't already.

 

park under a car port, but not in a garage (unless it is a detached garage)

reasoning is this: if it is outside the ice and **** stuck to it won't melt. and if it is still ice, it is hard for the salt/crap to rust the car. or use a power washer to wash off the crap daily. and if it sits in your garage, some heat will get into the garage and melt the **** that is on/under it, which is worse than if it stays frozen to the car.

if the temp drops below -20 (I think) consider getting a batery blanket/warmer make sure your batery has plenty of CCA. make sure your coolant/antifreeze is good (you can get one of the things to check it pretty cheap at local auto parts).

a 50/50 mix should yeild the best results.

if this stuff is too elementary for you, sorry I am from the south and only spent one winter in the north

oh, if you have someone you don't like, on a night when it is really cold dump some water on their car, it will freeze up, they won't be able to get their key in the door, and open their car

HTH


[Modified by samagon, 11:59 PM 10/9/2001]

 

Also, get a good thick coat of wax on it before it is too late. Take advantage of "hot" days (40 degrees farenheight +) to get it out in the sun to warm the surface, then wax it. If the surface is not warm enough the wax wont harden. The more protection you can get for your paint, the better. Just remember, road salt/grime is your worst enemy . HTH

 

Thanks for all the responses guys....