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PSA: Prepare your car for winter

Yuriman

Yuriman

Diamond Member
With the temperature dropping, keep an eye on your tire pressure. Low pressure can be dangerous, as it both negatively affects traction and (after a certain point) increases the chance of damage to the tire. I normally keep mine around 45 and check once every month or two. All of mine had dropped to around 25.

Check your lights! For those of us in the north, fewer daylight hours means more driving in the dark, and out lights can both get you a ticket, and compromise your safety by reduced visibility.

Check your wipers! Visibility is important, and new wipers do a better job of cleaning your windshield. Top your washer fluid off with something that won't freeze.

Consider helping your car to warm up. The grille opening in the front is designed for a worst case scenario, and most cars will get warm more quickly if you block some of it off during the colder months. Not only will you get warmer in the cabin more quickly, but it cuts pollution, reduces engine wear, and saves you at the pump. When the weather is below freezing, I only need around 6 square inches of open grille, and when it dips below zero I can block mine off completely and sometimes still don't see it fully get up to temperature with the heater running.
 
All common sense, yet 90% of the people won't do anything different than a normal sunny summer day.

Now if we can talk about snow cleaning etiquette, please clear the snow off your damn roof, your windows, and all of the lights. I can't believe how many idiots I saw driving today with just the front windshield cleared not to mention, their headlights/taillights covered. Most important rule is to give yourself extra time, and don't rush.
 
I hate seeing drivers who don't clear snow off their car. Yeah, I really want flying chunks of snow and ice coming at me when I'm driving behind you on the highway. It should be an instant ticket, but so many people do it around here that cops don't seem to care.

I put my snow tires on over the weekend. They don't have TPMS sensors, so my light is constantly on - a good reminder to check the pressure once a week.
 
dave_the_nerd said:
45 psi? You should only be adding 3-5 psi for winter driving. For most cars, that's 35-37psi in the winter, 32-34 in the summer. Or less - my last car's manufacturer-recommended tire pressure was 28 for the rear tires.

And if you're dropping 20psi in a month, you have not-very-slow leaks.
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We had a roughly 70 degree drop in temperature. That still doesn't account for all of it, but my tires weren't losing any air over the summer so I'm at a loss. Regardless, that's why it's important to keep an eye on them.

The door placard says 38psi, which would be a recommended 41-43psi winter.
 
Yuriman said:
We had a roughly 70 degree drop in temperature. That still doesn't account for all of it, but my tires weren't losing any air over the summer so I'm at a loss. Regardless, that's why it's important to keep an eye on them.

The door placard says 38psi, which would be a recommended 41-43psi winter.
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38psi? Wow. What kind of car is that? *scratches head quizzically*

Wait; are you the guy with the 1st Gen. Insight? That would make sense then.
 
dave_the_nerd said:
38psi? Wow. What kind of car is that? *scratches head quizzically*

Wait; are you the guy with the 1st Gen. Insight? That would make sense then.
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lots of german cars are like this... I know both my audi's are for sure at 40ish, my infinity says 35ish, and dodge says 30ish
 
dave_the_nerd said:
45 psi? You should only be adding 3-5 psi for winter driving. For most cars, that's 35-37psi in the winter, 32-34 in the summer. Or less - my last car's manufacturer-recommended tire pressure was 28 for the rear tires.
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inflate to sidewall, always.

dave_the_nerd said:
38psi? Wow. What kind of car is that? *scratches head quizzically*
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my car says 36psi except 38psi if > 100mph. I inflate to 38 😀


my Ford van says 60psi in front/80 in back 😵
 
tsupersonic said:
Now if we can talk about snow cleaning etiquette, please clear the snow off your damn roof, your windows, and all of the lights. I can't believe how many idiots I saw driving today with just the front windshield cleared not to mention, their headlights/taillights covered.
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They implemented fines in my state a few years ago for exactly that:

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=807&q=537486

Passenger vehicles get whacked with a $75 fine just for not clearing off your car, and $1,000 fine if there's any personal or property damage from the stuff that flies off. It seems to have been working pretty well...I see a LOT more cleared-off cars on the road these days.
 
you keep the pressure at the correct amount all year. what is this BS about adding pressure in the winter? adjust for temp yes, but keep them at the same pressure. I usually set mine at the correct pressure at about 25 or 30 degrees for winter.

i run 38 to 40 in my truck and the Volt gets 40 psi. not that uncommon. I check the tire contact with chalk when we get new tires.
 
Frankly I run slightly elevated pressure year-round but I'm not going to recommend it to others. Just don't get blindsided by it dropping as the air cools off.
 
Ns1 said:
anyone know anything about chains on cars w/ minimal wheel clearances? I'm a bit hesitant about dropping $400 on chains when it only snows 3-14 days a year where I'm at, but I suppose it's cheaper than wrecking.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Tire_Chains-co-Clamp_Onto_Tire.aspx
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depends on the car. most are S class compatible. if it snows that little where you are, i would not consider them at all.

we ski more days than you even get snow. and travel to the mountians about every other weekend all winter. I have a set of heavy duty cables for my pickup.
https://www.peerlesschain.com/brands/traction/traction-product-choices/super-z6-tire-chains/
peerless makes good stuff.

On our work trucks kenworths and f 350s, spend about 30 to 40 % of our time off pavement, we run v bar chains. I have had some winters were we chained up everyday for a month straight.

In some western states, commercial is required to have chains onboard and ready between september and may, and non-commercial is required to have snow rated tires and/or chains depending on conditions.
 
if it snows that little where you are, i would not consider them at all.
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Unfortunately there are several areas that are "chains required", even though it doesn't snow that much...

I think I want the chains anyway because I'd love to get back into skiing.
 
Ns1 said:
Unfortunately there are several areas that are "chains required", even though it doesn't snow that much...

I think I want the chains anyway because I'd love to get back into skiing.
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the auto sock things got approved in CO this year, are they approved there? i may go that route if you don't think you will actually use them, but want them.
 
I always keep my cars in good winter order and have clothing etc xtra however I certainly am guilty of not defrosting and snow clearing properly and have been known to slide the side windows down to see approaching traffic 😳
 
Agree OP. Safe driving to you guys. I got my blizzaks on the car but man I miss summer sooooo much. Hopefully this winter I don't get in another accident like last winter. This year I got the dash cam operating. Should be entertaining to watch some of the ridiculous driving here in Toronto. We got some really crazy drivers in these parts.
 
tsupersonic said:
All common sense, yet 90% of the people won't do anything different than a normal sunny summer day.
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You shouldn't do anything different than a normal sunny day. Every day of the year you should have [recently] checked all of this.

You are not supposed to add pressure for winter, JUST have the correct pressure on cold days which also means you must wait a few minutes after inflation to measure because air coming off (most) compressors is hot and will drop as it cools. The more you have to add to get up to (n)PSI the more it will drop. For some vehicle/tire/inflation combinations that drop could be 3PSI. For others it won't be.

Lower tire pressure increases winter traction, but if it is too low you risk tire damage or bead break and sudden total pressure loss on hard cornering or braking (worst moments possible).

Correct tire pressure is all about the load. Do not inflate to the max pressure on the sidewall of the tire just because it's printed there. That is only the correct maximum pressure to achieve the tire's max load and speed spec. If you have tires with greater volume than the factory tires you should even inflate them to LESS than your door sticker states, and will need to observe how they're wearing. There are some exceptions to this, tires of the same size but load rated (truck tires) may need a "little" more PSI but this has nothing to do with winter.

You can disregard the above if you prefer worse stopping, worse traction, worse tire wear, all for a little higher fuel economy, but know that it is dangerous to drive on ice with tires inflated higher than appropriate for the load.
 
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Ns1 said:
Unfortunately there are several areas that are "chains required", even though it doesn't snow that much...

I think I want the chains anyway because I'd love to get back into skiing.
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In most areas, "chains required" either only applies to commercial vehicles, or snow/winter rated tires are considered an acceptable substitute. I've never been somewhere where a car that already has good snow tires would be required to also use chains, and I've driven through some pretty hairy blizzards.
 
cjl said:
In most areas, "chains required" either only applies to commercial vehicles, or snow/winter rated tires are considered an acceptable substitute. I've never been somewhere where a car that already has good snow tires would be required to also use chains, and I've driven through some pretty hairy blizzards.
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CA

Requirement One (R1): Chains, traction devices or snow tires are required on the drive axle of all vehicles except four wheel/ all wheel drive vehicles.

Requirement Two (R2): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four wheel/ all wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels.
(NOTE: Four wheel/all wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas.)

Requirement Three (R3): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
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Colorado:
Traction Law (Code 15) — Use George’s Head to Check Your Tread • If weather conditions require, CDOT will implement a Traction Law. • Under a Traction Law, motorists will need to have either snow tires, tires with the mud/snow (M+S) designation, or a four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle — all tires must have a minimum one-eighth inch tread.
Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (Code 16) — Chain Up or Stay Off • During severe winter storms, CDOT will implement a Passenger Vehicle Chain Law — this is the final safety measure before the highway is closed. • Under a Passenger Vehicle Chain Law, every vehicle on the roadway is required to have chains or an alternative traction device (like AutoSock).
Fines • Motorists driving with inadequate equipment during a Traction Law or Passenger Vehicle Chain Law could be fined more than $130. • If a motorist blocks the roadway because they have inadequate equipment during a Traction Law or Passenger Vehicle Chain Law, they could be fined more than $650.
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mindless1 said:
You are not supposed to add pressure for winter, JUST have the correct pressure
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Might be a matter of perspective.

Some might inflate to reflect the correct PSI while already in the colder temps. Others might over inflate 2 or 3 PSI for the expected over night temp drop or while the vehicle is in a garage.

One is kind of guess work, the other is a bit more exact. I guess as long as folks have half an idea (experienced) of what kind of PSI change they will need, either will more or less work.
 
tsupersonic said:
All common sense, yet 90% of the people won't do anything different than a normal sunny summer day.

Now if we can talk about snow cleaning etiquette, please clear the snow off your damn roof, your windows, and all of the lights. I can't believe how many idiots I saw driving today with just the front windshield cleared not to mention, their headlights/taillights covered. Most important rule is to give yourself extra time, and don't rush.
Click to expand...

Snow? That word seems like it should have some meaning to me.

Every day is a normal sunny summer day.

I haven’t checked my tire pressures on my car in probably a year. I think they check them when I take it in for service though.
 
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