Need a good car winterizing check list.

[Savij]

It's starting into the 30s here and I'm thinking about getting my new (to me) car ready for winter. It's an 04 Acura that just had its 30k service done, so I think I should be good on stuff like antifreeze. I just want to make sure I didn't forget anything.

I've got a set of winter tires that I'll put on when it starts staying cold. I need to change the tires soon. I've heard using winter tires in warm weather causes them to wear faster. Is the warm weather going make big difference?

Also, I heard some people mention an aftermarket undercarriage sprayon protectant. Has anyone heard of this? Is it useful? I heard that the ones that the dealer tries to charge for aren't worth the money, but these guys were recommending getting it done for cheaper elsewhere as a yearly winterizer in snowy areas. Anyone care to provide additional details or thoughts on this?

 

[boomerang]

I run the tires that are on the car and don't worry about undercarriage protectant.

I drive my cars only for a couple of years before getting a new one, so I have no concerns about antifreeze levels.

I do stock up on windshield washer fluid. I take a good look at the wiper blades. I throw an ice scraper and snow brush in the car and I have some of those thick rubber mats that trap the water I put in. I like removing them in the spring and not having salt stains on the carpeting and floor mats.

I make sure the fluids are at proper levels and that the tires are at proper pressures. Check the spare too.

I always keep a pair of old gloves in the trunk in case I need to change a flat tire regardless of the weather.

If I'm close to needing an oil change I may go ahead and do it as I change my own. I don't like rolling around under the car with slush dripping down my shirt collar.

That's all I can think of.

 

[AdamK47]

Keep them in the garage with a car cover over them. Start them every so often.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

wtf, BOSTON? That is not a real winter. A real winter is Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, etc.

 

[nateholtrop]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
wtf, BOSTON? That is not a real winter. A real winter is Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, etc.

Michigan...

 

[ElFenix]

move the a/c switch from 'on' to 'off'


<--- texas

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
move the a/c switch from 'on' to 'off'


<--- texas

Hehehe. Lived in FL for 14 years and that was pretty much my checklist during that time.

 

[Savij]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
wtf, BOSTON? That is not a real winter. A real winter is Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, etc.

I suppose it isn't. So give me a good checklist for someone who spends his winters driving in fake winters to fake skiing in fake snow.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
move the a/c switch from 'on' to 'off'


<--- texas

better yet, leave it on. it's great for controlling humidity and preventing foggy windows.

 

[Blackjack200]

My checklist:

_ Don't apply parking brake. (That bitch freezes)

 

[Colt45]

piss on that, I use my park brake in -40, and never have a problem.

 

[MovingTarget]

Refill antifreeze. Move from "cold" to "hot" on temp scale.



<-----Alabama

 

[Parasitic]

I did a bunch of work "winterizing" the car already, although some might have been extraneous. Nevertheless it's my first "real" winter with snow, so I'd like to be prepared (if not overprepared):

Radiator flush
Siphoned out all the old winshield wiper fluids and replaced with new -25F stuff
Oil change + filter (might have to do it again, didn't know that the local dealership is running specials. $21.99 and with Motorcraft stuff).
Brake jobs
Bought snow brush and shovel
A small bag of kitty litter
AAA winter roadside emergency kit
Got some silicon lubricant and lubricated all the weather strips.

Tomorrow going to work on replacing my taillight lens.
Should I replace my air filter? My stupid little brother decided to be in-your-face and put in a K&N filter.

 

[Blackjack200]

Originally posted by: Colt45
piss on that, I use my park brake in -40, and never have a problem.

Mine didn't freeze the first winter I had it. For some reason it only started freezing on the second. I had to drive it around the block with the parking brake applied until the friction warmed it up enough to release. Obviously there's water in it somewhere, if the car was worth more than about $1,500 I'd probably try to find it. For now, my winter parking brake is to rest the tires against something facing downhill.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Nothing. I live in NC. I get in the car and drive it just like in the summer.