What do you guys recommend for the winter. Different oil, lower weight 5W30? Also should I run straight coolant instead of 50/50 water and coolant mixture? Any suggestions? thanx.

 

Run more coolant than water. Use a Hydrometer to measure the temp (I would recommend -40degrees or lower). Also get some fuel treatment for your gas tank. You don't want sediment to build up in the tank.

 

Never run straight coolant, always follow the instructions for the coolant.

 

What's a hydrometer and what should I measure the temperature of? Fuel treatment for the gas tank? Im not going to storing the car or anything like that but the title sounds a little bit like that. I'll still be driving everywhere just wondering whats good in super cold conditions, like those mornings I have to start my car and its 0 degrees outside. (damn, f'ing Colorado). Anyway thanks for the replies yo!

 

Make sure the coolant is good to -40 deg F and run 5W30 oil in the engine and you should be fine. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water will get you the best year round coolant mixture.

 

A hydrometer will tell you the temeperature at which the anit freeze is good up to. Just stick it in your radiator and and suck some fluid into it then read the gauge. You can get one at your parts store for about $3 or so, just ask as sales person. You sould get some fuel stabilizer for the gas tank.

 

i just put snow tires on. i've never in my whole life changed the coolant or oil weight just for winter. it's colorado, not north dakota or alaska.

 

I always thought you putin heavier oil for the cold? I could be wrong though. I lve in Texas so it never really came up.

 

Its Colorado not Southern Cali! Im just wondering if there is something to prolong the life of an engine in cold conditions yo. Oil with a lower viscosity does not turn into sludge sitting in an oilpan at -30 overnight so its easier on the engine during the initial startup and whatnot, at least I think thats how it works.

 

check my location under my avatar.... this will be the 7th colorado winter i've driven a civic with no winter preparations other than tires and and dull number two pencil with teeth marks and no eraser.

 

Yeah, I noticed you're from Colorado too. However, just because your civic has survived 7 years in CO winters doesn't mean your doing the right thing. Hell, its a honda, put some olive oil in there, it'll still run. (just some sarcasm )

 

true true, i could be wreaking havoc on my motor by not doing the "right" thing, but so far so good!!

 

What you are most concerned with is the oil's ability to flow at cold temps to lube the motor on startups. 5W-30 is fine down to like -39 degrees.