SHORTY's OFFICIAL WINTER TIP THREAD

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shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
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While the weather service predicts a warm, dry winter this time around, I still feel the need to point out some things that many people forget each year.


1. Fill your windshield fluid daily. You may need a lot in one trip. Use the ultra low temp stuff. It costs the same leaves you with one less thing to worry over.
NEVER put water in the windshield fluid. Not even to top off a mostly full reservoir. It will cause problems eventually.

2. Put anti-freeze in your radiator. Do this BEFORE the weather gets cold. Do not attempt while the engine has been running recently.

3. Check oil and oil filter before the cold weather comes. Even if you don't need a heavier oil for the winter, its a good idea to be ready with clean oil.

4. Test battery, again before the cold weather comes. If you know you will be leaving the car unattended for days at a time, get a trickle charger to keep it from dying.

5. Drive slower than you normally do, if only to protect you from the other idiots.

6. Keep slightly more distance between you and the car in front, again this helps protect you from other, dumber drivers.

7. Remove ALL the snow from your car before driving. The stuff on top can come down and block windows while driving. Clear the headlights and the hood, so the lights dont get covered again. Spend the money on a good extending snow brush so you can get everything.

8. Replace wiper blades with winter blades in the fall, and summer blades in the spring.

9. Check headlight and taillight bulbs before driving to work. Dead bulbs are unsafe and at the very least give cops a reason to pull you over. You dont wanna make cops pull you over when the weather is bad. They get uppity about standing outside.

10. Put an emergency kit in the trunk. Mylar blankets, flashlight, pocket warmers, munchies, maybe a road flare, collapsable shovel, emergency candles, and of course matches. Lighters are not a good idea for long term storage. First aid kit as well.


Please feel free to join in with your own, HELPFUL advice. Neffing must be done in OT.
 

DrDoug

Diamond Member
Jan 16, 2014
3,580
1,629
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While the weather service predicts a warm, dry winter this time around, I still feel the need to point out some things that many people forget each year.


1. Fill your windshield fluid daily. You may need a lot in one trip. Use the ultra low temp stuff. It costs the same leaves you with one less thing to worry over.
NEVER put water in the windshield fluid. Not even to top off a mostly full reservoir. It will cause problems eventually.

2. Put anti-freeze in your radiator. Do this BEFORE the weather gets cold. Do not attempt while the engine has been running recently.

3. Check oil and oil filter before the cold weather comes. Even if you don't need a heavier oil for the winter, its a good idea to be ready with clean oil.

4. Test battery, again before the cold weather comes. If you know you will be leaving the car unattended for days at a time, get a trickle charger to keep it from dying.

5. Drive slower than you normally do, if only to protect you from the other idiots.

6. Keep slightly more distance between you and the car in front, again this helps protect you from other, dumber drivers.

7. Remove ALL the snow from your car before driving. The stuff on top can come down and block windows while driving. Clear the headlights and the hood, so the lights dont get covered again. Spend the money on a good extending snow brush so you can get everything.

8. Replace wiper blades with winter blades in the fall, and summer blades in the spring.

9. Check headlight and taillight bulbs before driving to work. Dead bulbs are unsafe and at the very least give cops a reason to pull you over. You dont wanna make cops pull you over when the weather is bad. They get uppity about standing outside.

10. Put an emergency kit in the trunk. Mylar blankets, flashlight, pocket warmers, munchies, maybe a road flare, collapsable shovel, emergency candles, and of course matches. Lighters are not a good idea for long term storage. First aid kit as well.


Please feel free to join in with your own, HELPFUL advice. Neffing must be done in OT.

Re: #3

Maybe you meant "lighter" oil for the winter? Going heavier is the opposite of what you want in the winter.

If you are in a rural area and travel rural roads that don't see a lot of traffic in bad weather, bring along a few quarts of transmission fluid and some extra road flares. If you're stranded it's easy to start a fire to warm yourself (outside the car!) with those two items and whatever is on hand that can burn (branches, grasses, garbage, etc). Not only that but it's a good and smoky fire that might get attention (if you hear someone and toss some extra oil on the fire). A tarp or two are also good additions. Cat litter or sand for traction if you get stuck are also a good idea.
 

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,684
5,225
136
Check your tires' air pressure, for those of us that don't switch to dedicated winter/snow tires.
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,320
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Check your tires' air pressure, for those of us that don't switch to dedicated winter/snow tires.
I have a winter driver or chauffeur that I use once it starts to snow!! While my other Chauffeur goes on a 6 month vacation to visit his family in the Bahamas!
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
I agree, tire pressures must be checked before the cold weather sets in. They will go down about 2 - 4 PSI due to temperature changes. Also agree on cleaning all snow off the car / suv before driving. In a lot of areas, it is required to do so by law and you can be ticketed for not doing so. ... My car is going in for it's next oil change on Dec 29 10W30 Mobil 1 Full Synthetic going in, with a new AC Delco Oil Filter
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,542
921
126
I have a winter driver or chauffeur that I use once it starts to snow!! While my other Chauffeur goes on a 6 month vacation to visit his family in the Bahamas!

What is this snow of which you speak? :sneaky:

I'm still riding my motorcycle. :cool:
 

SithSolo1

Diamond Member
Mar 19, 2001
7,740
11
81
Pfft snow, it was almost 70 here today.

Still good tips though.

I'd also recommend using lithium batteries in the flashlight, they seem to handle temperature extremes better.
 
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