How to Prepare Your Car for Winter?

ORIGINAL POST

Winter roads can be dangerous, and having to drive somewhere during a winter storm can be a real burden. Make sure your car is prepared for any winter storm or winter driving by servicing your car, driving safely, and packing a winter car emergency kit.

How to winterize your car

There are a few things you can do to your car to prepare for an impending winter season. Winterizing your car can take time and money, so plan ahead accordingly.

Check your tire tread. Be sure to inspect your tires for tread wear and rotate them during every oil change. To check your tire’s tread, use the “Penny Test”. You do this by taking a penny and placing it in the tread groove of your tire. Place the penny with Lincoln’s head facing you, and stick the penny in the tread so that the top of Lincoln’s head is no longer visible. If his entire head is visible while in the groove, it’s time to replace your tires.
Fill up your tires. Low air pressure in your tires can be potentially dangerous on winter roads. Take your car to a mechanic to check your tire pressure and fill your tires if necessary. If you have prior knowledge on checking tire pressure, you can easily do it yourself at a free tire air pump found at your local gas station or car shop.
Consider snow tires. Switching to snow tires, especially in northern country or mountain areas that get heavy snow on rough terrain, can help driving on snowy and slippery roads.
Tip: snow tires make your MPG (miles per gallon) lower, so only put on snow tires during harsh winter months
Change your oil and antifreeze. Regular maintenance to your vehicle can only but help to prevent any car troubles during months involving winter driving.
Fix your heater. Short drives aren’t too burdensome when you don’t have heat in your car, but consider what would happen if you were stuck in your car for an extended period of time-- all the while not having heat. Having a working heater can help prevent daily discomfort, but it can also be a great preventative measure.
Inspect your battery. You vehicle’s battery capacity lessens in cold weather, so have a professional inspect your battery’s fluid and cables.

Winter driving safety tips

If the area where you live isn’t accustomed to driving in the winter, snowfall may mean sheer panic on the roadways. Keep a level head, and adhere to these tips on winter driving safety:

How to drive in the snow

Account for extra travel time. Driving in winter conditions will most likely take more time than usual, due to slower traffic along the way, snow plows and salt sprayers, or unplowed roads.
Remove snow or ice from your car. Use an ice scraper or a makeshift ice-scraper (a spatula or CD work fine!) to clear the windows. If the snow accumulation is heavy on the top of the vehicle, be sure to scrape/push the majority of it off. This prevents any large chunks of icy snow from flying off while you’re driving and hurting another driver.
Drive slower than usual. Following the speed limit is a good rule to live by, and it’s important to follow it to keep all drivers safe on the road (We’re looking at you, lead-footers!). If you’re uncertain about the conditions of the road, go around 10 mph under the speed limit, to be safe. The faster your car is going, the less reaction time you’ll have to handle your car skidding on ice.
Keep your accelerating and decelerating slow. Try not to rev-up or slam on the brakes, for both actions could launch your car into a tailspin.
Always wear your seatbelt. The truth is that most winter storm-related deaths involve a vehicle. Wearing a seatbelt reduces your chance of injury in a car crash by more than 45%, so be sure to buckle up!
Don’t use cruise control. Winter driving requires you to be in complete control of your car at all times, and it is important since a patch of slippery ice can pop up on the road at any time. For this reason, using cruise control in wintry conditions makes roads that much more dangerous.
Watch out for black ice. Thin, transparent ice that blends in with the color of the pavement, commonly known as black ice, is especially dangerous because it’s hard to spot, and you don’t know you’ve come up on it until you’ve slid over it. The best way to handle black ice is to let up on both the gas and brakes, and keep the wheel straight. If you start to fishtail (when the back of your car starts to spin), gently turn the wheel to the direction the spin is going until you’ve stopped or have regained traction.

How to get your car out of a snow bank

Use these tips to help get out of a snowy situation, or help others that are stuck!

Check to see if your exhaust pipe is clogged. This should always be one of the first items on your checklist with getting your car out of snow. If your car’s exhaust pipe, usually located in the external rear of the car, is clogged, carbon monoxide may seep into the car’s interior and cause carbon monoxide poisoning-- a potentially deadly incident. If it is clogged or blocked, scoop out snow and clear the area of the tailpipe.
Dig, dig, dig. If you have a snow shovel in your winter car emergency kit, kick up your heels and start digging! Dig out as much as you can around your vehicle: near the tires, underneath the car, in the front, in the back, etc. The more you preliminarily dig out snow, the less you’ll have to deal with slipping on when you try to move your car.
Tip: pay attention to what your body is telling you, and avoid overexertion. If you’re feeling too cold or fatigued, take a break and sit in your warm car or a warm shelter.
Avoid revving. It may seem logical to press on the gas hard to get out of a situation where your car is stuck, but in cases of snow, it’s about the worst thing you can do. When your wheels spin fast without getting you anywhere they create friction and heat. That heat melts the snow underneath your tire, and turns it to ice almost immediately, which makes driving out of the snow much harder.
Rock-n-roll. We’re not talking about blaring AC/DC through your radio (though if that helps you get the strength to push your car out, blare it loud!). Rocking your car back and forth can dislodge your vehicle from any compact snow dip that’s keeping your car from moving. This can be done with extra help from people, or just by yourself. If you have extra people to help, have them stand outside of your car, and have them rock the vehicle back and forth from the rear of the vehicle. Sit in the driver's seat and plan to accelerate to gain traction to move forward. If you’re by yourself and need to get your car out of a snow bank, using drive and reverse functions can cause the same effect, and get your car moving forward and out of the snow.

What to do if you’re stranded in your car during a blizzard

In the case of being stuck in a car during a snowstorm, follow these tips to ensure your safety, provided by the The Weather Channel:

Call for help immediately! Some cell phones turn off if the outside temperature is too cold, even if they are fully charged. Once you realize you’re stuck, call someone first for help. This way, they’ll know exactly where you are, and can help to save you if you’re not able to get out.
Determine if you can leave. If you’re in an area where you can safely reach a point of shelter or civilization, decide if you want to leave your car to search for warmth and safety. When in doubt, don’t risk it.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Exit the car to check if your exhaust tailpipe is being blocked or clogged by snow. Clear out the area or pipe if necessary.
Dig yourself out, if possible. If you think that you’re able to get your car out easily, follow the steps listed in the above section to remove your car from the snow bank. If not, stay in your car and wait for help.
Make yourself visible. Tie a neon or brightly colored ribbon around your car’s antenna to signal your location to help teams.
Run car intermittently. To prevent hypothermia and other winter-related illnesses, turn on your car every now and then to heat up the vehicle’s cabin area. Since you don’t know how long you’ll be stranded, use gas sparingly and only turn your car on when necessary.
Tip: check the car’s tailpipe for clogging each time you turn your car on.
Ration food and water. If you have a supply of food and water, eat and drink sparingly, just in case you’re stuck longer than anticipated.
Tip: in severe cases, you can use snow as a water source, but always be sure to melt it down into water before drinking it. Eating snow can lower your body temperature and heighten your risk of hypothermia.

How to pack a winter car emergency kit

Keep yourself and your family safe by adequately stocking your car with what you’ll need in the case of car trouble during a winter storm, whether it be stuck in a snowbank, driving in the icy snow, or being stranded in a snowstorm.

Winter emergency kit for car trouble:

Emergency flares
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Hand crank or battery-powered radio
Ice scraper for windshield and windows
Shovel
Jumper cables
Neon flag or ribbon
Roadmap
Chain or sturdy rope for towing
Tire chains
Rock salt to melt ice, sand, and/or kitty litter for traction in snow
Reflectors

1 replies

skaiyly · 5 years ago

Great advice! The only thing I don't think I saw that I would add it to pack a blanket or two

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r/NoStupidQuestions • [2]

Summarize

How does one prepare for real winter?

Posted by jgonz2 · in r/NoStupidQuestions · 4 years ago

I just moved from South Florida to northern U.S. and woke up to something I've never experienced before: frozen windshield. I didn't know what to do so I walked to work. It SUCKED. I feel completely and utterly unprepared for this lifestyle. What are things that someone like me should consider and what are basic preparations that are a must?

Thank you.

Edit: I really appreciate everyone's input! I went out and got some scrappers, good gloves, another warm blanket and a Miami Dolphins beanie for my car. I'll keep preparing as the paychecks come in!

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Skatingraccoon · 4 years ago

Buy a good quality ice scraper for your car.
Make sure you have an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid in your car; buy the stuff that also melts ice.
Buy a new set of tires with better traction if you haven't yet.
Also not a bad idea to carry some water, a blanket, first aid kit and roadside emergency kit just in case something happens.

Despite what people might say you absolutely do not need to "warm the car up" in the morning; the key thing is make sure your windows are clear and you can see fine. Otherwise "warming the car up" hasn't been a thing for like 30 years.

Do make sure to keep at least a quarter of gas in your tank if not more - the less gas in your tank the more the likelihood things will get frozen up.

If you live in a house make sure you have a solid snow shovel. Salt is optional - buy the more environmentally friendly stuff if necessary. Buy whatever you need now - everyone waits until the last minute when the snowstorms hit to buy their stuff... If you live in an apartment building or something this might not be as necessary.

Invest in some warm clothing and boots and gloves.

Learn to start watching the weather forecasts to get an idea of how early you should get up the next day to clean off the car if necessary. If it starts snowing at night it can be a good idea to go out before you go to bed and clean off some of it beforehand.

Also make sure you know your company's inclement weather policy - maybe they have a phone number you call in, maybe they will send a notification out, etc.

21 upvotes on reddit

toastyhoodie · 4 years ago

I think the warming the car is for the interior heat to start for comfort. If you just get in and go, your vents will blow cold air till the engine warms up a bit. You don’t need to warm the motor for the sake of warming the motor.

Though you do need to plug in diesel trucks though.

7 upvotes on reddit

Orangebeardo · 4 years ago

> I think the warming the car is for the interior heat to start for comfort.

Also to defog the windows.

2 upvotes on reddit

Skatingraccoon · 4 years ago

Oh yeah I agree that for comfort and for helping defrost the windows (if necessary) it is useful to turn the car on upfront before you start cleaning windows off.

But cars don't have carbeurators, so there's no mechanical reason to run the car for 10+ minutes to "warm it up" if the windows are good to go.

3 upvotes on reddit

arcticwolf26 · 4 years ago

To add to this. When it snows, scrap the snow off every window. Scrape it off all your lights. Scrape it off your hood. If you don’t, you’re going to have a windshield full of snow very soon. And most importantly, scrape it off your roof. At highway speeds, the sheet of snow/ice will get lifted off, fly around, and crash into someone else’s windshield.

4 upvotes on reddit

Skatingraccoon · 4 years ago

Oh yes thank you, yeah definitely do this. It's terrible driving behind someone and seeing a sheet of ice just fall off their van or something scary.

4 upvotes on reddit

RoscoeTexasRanger · 4 years ago

Leave the windshield wipers folded up, in case you get a pile of snow on your car. Also, get one of those snow-brush/ice scraper tools at the department store to help you clean the stuff off. And, finally, get in the habit of going out and warming up your car a good 10+ minutes before you intend to leave.

Addendum: When there's been a big snowfall, and plows haven't cleared the road yet, there's no shame in driving well below the speed limit, especially before you get used to how slippery the roads can get. Drive slow, remain calm, brake gently and early, and you won't be one of those schmucks who ends up spinning off the road.

10 upvotes on reddit

Crazypally · 4 years ago

Just an extra note, even if the plows have gone, it's better to be "that asshole that made me late to work" than to be dead. Drive slow if you need to. People will hate you, but you'll make it home.

8 upvotes on reddit

fezaria · 4 years ago

Ice scraper, and lots of layers! Oh and be careful driving in snow, if you fishtail don't brake, let off the gas, and you want to turn your wheel gently whichever way the ass end if your car is going.

4 upvotes on reddit

Crazypally · 4 years ago

Just for emphasis.

GENTLE. It's easy to overcorrect and end up in the left ditch trying to stay out of the right.

Everything you do in winter needs to be gentle and controlled (as best you can). Make as few movements as you need, and make the ones that you do count.

5 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 4 years ago

The biggest ones I'd say are dressing properly and keeping your car maintained. Dress in layers, like extra shirts and sweaters and I even like to put on pyjamas under my jeans.

edit I always hit that damn button too early

I usually keep an extra pair of socks in my car somewhere in case I fall in a puddle. Always have a snow scraper in the car always have jumper cables in the car keep hand sanitizer in your pocket to melt frozen locks. Get your oil changed, make sure you always have gas so your car doesn't have trouble starting, get snow tires all-season won't do

4 upvotes on reddit

toastyhoodie · 4 years ago

Ah, yeah. Definitely need to make sure you prep.

So, one thing with windshields, get yourself a good ice scraper, that’ll help. Could start and warm up the interior too to help manage. Do not, under any circumstances pour hot water on it though.

Definitely have good cold weather clothes, flannel, double layer, good boots.

Watch how you walk on ice, could bust your ass real quick, if it’s really icy, they have spike attachment things for boots and shoes. There’s more I’m sure, but those are some basics

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r/AskDad • [3]

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I need help with my car and cold weather!

Posted by Crafty-Bee-687 · in r/AskDad · 2 months ago

Hi dads, I am about to move to a mountainous state that gets really cold and snowy. I grew up in the Deep South, and in a super flat area on top of that. I have a Toyota Corolla. What are some car maintenance tips for cold weather? Tips for driving in the snow? I'm really anxious and I don't have anyone in my life who can give me advice. I know winter is a ways away but I want to be prepared. Thank you so much.

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randomname5478 · 2 months ago

Plan on taking twice as long to drive anywhere. Plan on it taking 3 times longer to stop. Don’t spike the brake. Step on the pedal gently.

You will want snow tires. Ask locals if they use snow chains or studs in their tires. Laws vary by location.

I keep a foldable snow shovel and tow strap in my car in the winter. I normally keep winter clothes with me. A blanket and hand warmers are good to have also.

2 upvotes on reddit

goldenstream · 2 months ago

Good advice. Also, don't plan on driving in the snow unless the roads are plowed - not with a Toyota Corolla (that's what 4 wheel/all wheel drive is made for). Make sure your windshield washer fluid is made for for low temperatures. Other items:

Tire chains (practice putting them on)
Small emergency kit
Jumper cables
Ice scraper and snow brush
Flashlight and extra batteries
Flares and reflectors
Sand or cat litter for traction
Shovel
A fuel line antifreeze product - sometimes cheap gas has water and that can freeze (ask my how I know)

Also, I've seen car locks freeze - you can get a spray to de-ice them.

1 upvotes on reddit

IncredibleCO · 2 months ago

Crafty-bee, you can generally drive all you want in the snow with your Carolla. AWD helps you "go", but does absolutely nothing to help you stop. Most car accidents happen because of a lack of stopping. Relatively very few happen because you weren't able to accelerate fast enough.

The other suggestions are good. I forego the shovel, but add blankets and/or extra clothes.

1 upvotes on reddit

randomname5478 · 2 months ago

This is all good advice. I forgot about the washer fluid. I buy a years worth of purple low temp in the spring when its on sale where I am and use it year round.

1 upvotes on reddit

kil0ran · 2 months ago

Keep cold weather gear for you and your passengers in the car. Also some hi energy snacks. You can get electric hot water heaters that plug in to the 12v socket so you can boil snow for a hot drink (it should be clean, just make sure it isn't yellow!)

Cover your windshield with a heavy blanket overnight, that will mean it takes less time to defrost and clear in the morning. Scrape ice from all your windows so you have good visibility. Or get a Ford which has their quick clear windshield, that will save you minutes every day.

When driving leave big gaps. Accelerate and brake slowly. Look at the stop lights of the car three cars ahead. Your aim is to keep rolling slowly rather than drive stop start like you would in good weather. Imagine you've got a cup of water balanced on your dashboard, your aim is to spill nothing.

If you start to skid remove the cause of the skid - in snow that's usually too much steering angle or too much brake although ABS does a good job of improving braking on modern cars (I have a Volvo 940 Wagon without it and it's also rear wheel drive - very different driving experience to a modern car but being Swedish actually very good because the steering isn't affected by the engine drive).

1 upvotes on reddit

Oldswagmaster · 2 months ago

Replace the battery if it is 5 years old or older. Have good all season radial tires.

1 upvotes on reddit

IncredibleCO · 2 months ago

"All season radials"? Please show me one person in these great United States running bias-ply tires on their daily Carolla.

Second, proper snow tires are the biggest upgrade/maintenance you can do for cold, snowy driving. "All-seasons" have their place, but their not replacements for proper winter tires.

1 upvotes on reddit

vingtsun_guy · 2 months ago

Hey, Kiddo. I'm a son of Kentucky living in Southwestern Montana.

Have a block heater installed as soon as possible after you move. Plug it in whenever the weather drops to 15 degrees or below. They will tell you it's ok to plug it in an hour before you're supposed to drive, but it makes a difference if you leave it plugged overnight.

When it gets below freezing, start your car 30 minutes before you need to go anywhere.

Plan for slower trips. It's best to slow down and get there - too many people end up on the side of the road before they think they can still drive at full speed.

If you can, invest in snow studded tires. They will be worth it.

Keep up with your fluids. And have a tune up by early October.

When the weather is bad, don't go anywhere with less than half a tank. That way, if you get stranded, you will be able to keep warm until help arrives.

Keep a winter emergency kit in your car too.

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r/askcarguys • [4]

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What should I do to prepare my car for winter?

Posted by GeoGemstones · in r/askcarguys · 4 years ago

Hello, I just bought my first car, a Kia Forte 2015. I live in Eastern Canada. During the winter my car will be exposed to intense sub zero temperatures. I work at a mine up north on a two weeks-two weeks shift, so my car will stay parked for a long time without moving by -30 c°.

What should I do to keep the car from completely freezing? I am kinda lost and I am afraid to miss something.

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ItsNotRockitSurgery · 4 years ago

It can often be smart to change your oil right before winter, fresh oil works better and isn't as affected by the cold as used oil is.

Heet might become a good friend of yours. Heet is a gas line antifreeze and water remover that you pour into your gas to prevent anything from freezing in the fuel lines of the car. Gas is not likely to freeze, but water gets into the tank through condensation and water of course freezes pretty easily in the winter and it'll stop the gas from getting in the lines.

Secondly, it's a very good practice to fill your tank to max when you plan on leaving the car unattended for those 2 weeks. The more gas in the tank means the less water there can be, making it less likely to freeze the lines.

Next, look at getting a block heater or oil pan heater or something similar. This is something that keeps parts of the engine warm constantly by plugging it in to an outlet. Kind of inconvenient if you don't really have a good place to park near an outlet, but this is extremely helpful at keeping the car happy when you turn it on and also making it so sitting in your car doesn't become borderline dangerous for a few minutes.

Last bit of prep advice I can think of rn, see about getting a battery tender if possible. Again this relies on parking near an outlet, but the bitter cold weather the North has absolutely wrecks havoc on the charge a battery can hold. 2 weeks is plenty of time for negative temps and wind chills to leave you stranded with a dead battery.

This part isn't prep, but it might be a good idea to fit into your routine getting your tire pressures checked and adjusted often. Cold weather and massive changes in temps will make your tires lose pressure and trip your tpms.

7 upvotes on reddit

TheStig827 · 4 years ago

> > Heet might become a good friend of yours. Heet is a gas line antifreeze and water remover that you pour into your gas to prevent anything from freezing in the fuel lines of the car. Gas is not likely to freeze, but water gets into the tank through condensation and water of course freezes pretty easily in the winter and it'll stop the gas from getting in the lines.

Heet is unnecessary since all fuel will have more alcohol per gallon than a bottle of heet will ever deliver at a pretty standard mix of 10-15% ethanol.

Running a block/battery/both heater for extended period will be pointless, but using it for 30-60min before that first fire of day or extended time away will do a lot for extending your engine life by letting oil flow better. Leaving them running for long periods of time are just a waste of electricity.

A battery tender is also a good idea to keep around anytime you won't be running the car for extended periods of time, but something this cold may need something a little stronger than some of the low end models, and if outside, weather proofing should be considered as well. I'd look to a 1.5a at minimum.

2 upvotes on reddit

ItsNotRockitSurgery · 4 years ago

You bring up a lot of good additional points, but like I said, Heet is not meant to stop the gas from freezing, it's intended purpose is to stop the water in the tank from freezing and also getting the water out of the gas, which could block the fuel lines among other things. This is a common issue where I'm from, and you either use antifreeze or run your car all night long, the latter of which is only practical for diesel engines.

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GeoGemstones · OP · 4 years ago

Thank you so much!

2 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 4 years ago

Windshield cover, anti freeze fuel injection additive (so fuel doesn’t freeze in your injection lines)... ask your boss if it’s possible you can start your car once a day

3 upvotes on reddit

GeoGemstones · OP · 4 years ago

Thanks. I leave the car at a secondary location far from my work place, so I can’t go take care of it everyday :(

1 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 4 years ago

synthetic oil, and does it have a block heater?

1 upvotes on reddit

GeoGemstones · OP · 4 years ago

I don’t think so.

1 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 4 years ago

make sure it has one. Depending on your car they're not too hard to install

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r/Cartalk • [5]

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What are some tips to keep my car in good condition throughout the winter? How can I prep it to be daily driven all winter and sometimes in snow?

Posted by Outrageous-Speeed · in r/Cartalk · 3 years ago

I bought a 2018 Civic sport this summer and adore it. What can I do to help protect my car inside and out through the winter? Any tips are appreciated

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AutoModerator · 3 years ago

Hi, /u/Outrageous-Speeed, thanks for posting here in r/Cartalk! This subreddit is for people to TALK ABOUT THEIR OWN CARS. At the core this means asking for help with your vehicle. However, sometimes a post will stray outside of that. If that is the case it could be left up or it could be taken down. Report unhelpful or malicious advice to the mods. Don't abandon your post; respond to questions from commenters. Also feel free to join us on Discord here

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r/newjersey • [6]

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Vehicle preparedness for winter weather

Posted by Mitch13 · in r/newjersey · 7 months ago

I know this is a bit late for the upcoming storm but I saw a post the other day asking about preparation for weather or other miscellaneous events and it got my mind thinking about the average person and being prepared.

If you plan on driving in this storm or any inclement weather event for that matter I cannot stress enough how important it is to have your vehicle ready. It will save you a lot of trouble in the event of an emergency.

general vehicle check over - make sure your fluids (oil, coolant, washer fluid etc) are all at their appropriate levels. Windshield wipers are also very important. Tires may be the most crucial factor - tread depth and style of tire will make all the difference in getting stuck and slipping and sliding everywhere and being able to traverse without much effort.
repair/vehicle supplies - a small repair kit with the necessary tools, flashlight & headlamp, high visibility vest, flares/road triangles, jump kit/cables (I prefer a jump kit as you don’t need another vehicle), work gloves, fire extinguisher, tow strap, tire plug kit, plug in air compressor (you can get a small one off amazon for less than $50), snow removal apparatus, folding shovel are all good things to have in your trunk.
personal supplies - change of clothes, rain gear, hand warmers, blanket, battery bank, snacks (I tend to keep crackers and nutrition bars as they seem to fare well in all climate conditions), hydration packets, deck of cards or book, personal first aid kit w/ various OTC medications.
driving skill/vehicle capabilities - if you have a front wheel drive Chevy cobalt it obviously won’t go places that a 4wd Toyota 4Runner will. Use common sense. Unless it is a dire emergency and you don’t feel comfortable with your skills it may be best just to ride the storm out where ever you are. As I stated earlier tires make a HUGE difference and if you have the capabilities to have winter tires or all terrains I would highly recommend it. The last thing you want to be is stuck on the road waiting hours for a tow truck and have to pay for a recovery. It is important too to be mindful of plow trucks on the road. They move slow and take up the road but keep your space from them.

This may seem like overkill and all supplies may not pertain to your specific needs but a little bit of prep goes a long way. I’m sure I’m leaving some things out as well so feel free to add to the list in the comments. Personally I keep even more stuff than listed because of my line of work. This isn’t our first snow storm and certainly won’t be our last but it’s been over two years since our last major statewide winter event so I figured I would remind some people.

Be safe & have fun in the snow!

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junglegymion · 7 months ago

What about windshield wipers? Up or down? What’s the best for snowfall?

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gnitsuj · 7 months ago

Not overkill at all! On my way to BJ's now to clean them out of toilet paper, bread, and bottled water. On the way back I plan to stop at Mavis for 4 new tires, new brakes, a full fluid topoff, new wipers, and snow chains. Then over to Home Depot to put together an emergency kit in case the 6 inches of snow barricades me in my house for the next 12 weeks. Last stop the mall, so I can pick up a change of clothes, rain gear, hand warmers, blanket, battery bank, snacks, hydration packets, deck of cards or book, and a personal first aid kit w/various OTC medications.

1 upvotes on reddit

firefeks · 7 months ago

I have a set of winter tires and a set of summer tires... helps alot!

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Jimmytowne · 7 months ago

I have AAA.

But I’m considering keeping a blanket and bottle of Bulliet Bourbon in case things get apocalyptic

1 upvotes on reddit

stickman07738 · 7 months ago

I actually like this list of 6 things you shouldn't leave in your car in freezing temperatures, particularly the last one.

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r/madisonwi • [7]

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Winter car question

Posted by EquivalentYoung4420 · in r/madisonwi · 7 months ago

I’ve never lived through a real winter, are there any special things I need to do to take care of my car in the cold? Car wash? Running regularly?

2 upvotes on reddit

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Firm-Pea-3885 · 7 months ago

Car wash - only if you can park in a garage and even then open the doors and trunk and wipe down the frames to avoid the doors freezing shut. Otherwise wait til it gets above freezing Gas - keep at least half a tank if not 3/4 full or more Air your tires - cold air makes tires go soft. Have a plug in portable air station available. Even new cars with new tires can lose pressure Running the car - I think it depends on the age of your car. Maybe let it run for 30 seconds to a minute if it’s newer, a bit more if it’s older. If you don’t drive regularly I’d start your car maybe every other day for 5-10 minutes to keep the battery charged up.

All times are best guesses

6 upvotes on reddit

Big_Poppa_Steve · 7 months ago

Starting your car and stopping it before it is hot can leave condensate in your exhaust train, which, over time, can promote corrosion and early replacement. If you can, when you start the engine, run the car until the heater works.

1 upvotes on reddit

microbiologygrad · 7 months ago

I was taught to always let the car warm up. But I looked it up recently and this isn't necessary for modern cars.

1 upvotes on reddit

maycityman · 7 months ago

I did this once, and it somehow froze up my heating fan. Couldn't use the defrost. Luckily I was able to park it in an underground garage while I was at work and it thawed

1 upvotes on reddit

shipmawx · 7 months ago

Don't wash your car when the outside temperature is below zero.

21 upvotes on reddit

Substantial-You4770 · 7 months ago

But do wash your car when it's above 30 to try get some of the salt and stuff off to help the body of your car last longer.

1 upvotes on reddit

sgh2700 · 7 months ago

I always bring a big coat, hat and mittens with me in my car when it's really cold. Just in case I have a car emergency. Have never needed them, but I am ready.

20 upvotes on reddit

Hodar2 · 7 months ago

Water freezes. You can freeze your windows and doors closed, make your tires slick etc

3 upvotes on reddit

RummyMilkBoots · 7 months ago

Check your tire pressure. It often goes low in very cold weather.

17 upvotes on reddit

Firm-Pea-3885 · 7 months ago

Reduces the chance of condensation forming inside the tank which can lead to fuels system issues. Not sure if it’s fact… my dad told me to do it growing up in Michigan winters and I’ve kept doing it

8 upvotes on reddit

VoweltoothJenkins · 7 months ago

I grew up a bit further north and this is what I've always been told but not sure how much any of it really matters.

* Don't wash vehicles when it is below freezing. When it warms up a bit get a good wash including your undercarriage to get the salt off to avoid rusting.
* If you park outside give it a couple minutes to warm up before driving, oil is less viscous when it gets cold and is less effective at lubricating the engine.
* If it gets really cold (like -50 or colder before the wind-chill) it is possible for some gasoline types to freeze so you would need to keep it warm but I've never had that happen.

The big thing to be ready for is driving if the roads get slick, but based on how mild it's been we might not get any fun this far south this year.

* It takes longer to stop/start/turn, kind of like driving a boat.
* Just give yourself a bit of extra travel time and leave a bit of space between you and other cars if possible.
* When going up hills get a bit of momentum and don't stop, try to avoid any steep hills if possible.
* Keep a small shovel in your trunk
* Floor mats can be put under wheels for traction to get out of a snowbank but it can damage the mats a bit. If you care about your floor mats get some cheap ones and keep them with your shovel.

5 upvotes on reddit

ChainringCalf · 7 months ago

Great list! For most modern engines, they will warm up much faster driving than they will idling, so just get in and start driving gently. You'll get more wear per second this way, but for far less time, resulting in less wear overall. This does not apply if your commute is something like leaving your house and immediately flooring it up a highway on ramp.

An alternative to the floor mats can be sand or cat litter. Bonus: this can also be used to help shift the weight balance fore/aft towards the drive wheels.

Additionally: Cars don't like repeated short drives. If the engine never gets warm enough, condensation and fuel can start building up in the oil, which reduces its effectiveness. Make sure to go on a longer drive at least once a week or so, in which the oil fully warms up to boil off that water and fuel.

0 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/oklahoma • [8]

Summarize

Cold morning

Posted by YouNecessary7436 · in r/oklahoma · 8 months ago

Just a friendly reminder, drip your faucets tonight, cover windshield if possible and start earlier than you normally would in the morning. And for the love of God, drive appropriately to the conditions.

9 upvotes on reddit

8 replies

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8 replies

Terrible-Duck-6547 · 8 months ago

Tap the wheel wells and hood of your vehicles before starting the engine. Stray cats shelter near the engine for warmth.

12 upvotes on reddit

Unfair_Albatross_739 · 8 months ago

Yesss! My coworker started our bosses truck the other day and there was one of his cats under the hood and man that messed me up!! That was last week and I’m still thinking about it! Bad deal!! Poor cat! Sad!

1 upvotes on reddit

KatMan0524 · 8 months ago

I read a weird thing today that a lot of people are not aware of the “defrost” function with their cars. Hard to imagine but I guess it always helps to spread the things you know.

So with that, turn your defrost on when it’s frozen outside. If unclear how, consult your user manual or the Google machine.

3 upvotes on reddit

YouNecessary7436 · OP · 8 months ago

You are quite correct kind contributor, may I please add on. For those of you with keyless remote start, or an extra key so that you may lock your doors to prevent theft, or those wishing to remain in the cold keeping an eye on their vehicle. Or even those with a functioning heater core in the vehicle it would behoove you to use this miracle function of your vehicle.

3 upvotes on reddit

UnicornFarts1111 · 8 months ago

Remember guys and gals, do NOT pre-heat your car IN the garage with the garage door closed!

4 upvotes on reddit

Jokersall · 8 months ago

So fun times. Found out the gas I got for my generator had water in it. 6 hours with no power yesterday.

1 upvotes on reddit

Greedy-Welcome8918 · 8 months ago

It was so cold it started snowing in Yukon a day ago, damn!

1 upvotes on reddit

LowEffortHuman · 8 months ago

Thanks friend! I had forgotten! Even told my husband earlier that we needed to, so I’m gonna blame him 😎

2 upvotes on reddit

See 8 replies

r/BMWZ4 • [9]

Summarize

How do y’all keep your cars warm in the winter?

Posted by LifeAintDoinGood · in r/BMWZ4 · 3 years ago

Are there any tricks y’all have come up with to warm up your cars fast. I live in Colorado so it gets pretty cold in the mornings. Are there any tricks y’all have come up with to keep the car warm so when you go to it in the morning it isn’t miserably cold? It usually takes 10+ minutes to start blowing warm air

3 upvotes on reddit

6 replies

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6 replies

ZeroDrift1 · 3 years ago

I too am in Colorado. I keep mine in a garage with a heater to keep temps above 45. You could look into a block heater. You'd have to plug in the car to an outlet, but it's keep the coolant near operating temps.

2 upvotes on reddit

imblasted · 3 years ago

Move to Florida.

5 upvotes on reddit

imblasted · 3 years ago

But also the heated dipsticks do work

2 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 3 years ago

heated seats

4 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 3 years ago

Im in Canada so I have to store it away it so fuck you eh

2 upvotes on reddit

lecarguy · 3 years ago

My garage usually keeps my car pretty warm. But if that's not a choice for you, just layer up and remove layers as it gets warmer, if you have a long commute.

Having heated seats definitely helps. But I've also learned that BMWs don't like to blow cold air in. So just let it warm up naturally and set the fan to low at first.

2 upvotes on reddit

See 6 replies

r/NZcarfix • [10]

Summarize

Happy Saturday everyone. Winter is nearly here so it's a good time to make sure all your tyres are in good condition and inflated to spec

Posted by MicksAwake · in r/NZcarfix · 3 months ago

Most of you will already be doing this out of habit but if you are new to cars it's an easy thing to overlook.

Good tyres inflated correctly can be the difference between crashing and not crashing on a wet or icy road (and a dry road).

14 upvotes on reddit

6 replies

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6 replies

garblednonsense · 3 months ago

Just wondering - how many people do a tyre rotation? Is it worth it?

3 upvotes on reddit

Former_Task8098 · 3 months ago

Definitely worth it. The amount of less than half worn tyres we change because they have perished after sitting on the back of a car for 10 years is mad. Meanwhile, they’ve been ripping through fronts and replacing them way more often than needed if rotations were done.

3 upvotes on reddit

Inspirice · 3 months ago

Personally never do, just maintain tyre pressures at an ideal amount to prevent underinflation wear and replace tyres 2 at a time. Easier done on branded tyres that only lose like 1-2psi a month due to thicker sidewalls.

1 upvotes on reddit

jarrodh25 · 3 months ago

Typically, if you run too little pressure, you'll wear the tire corners off. Too much, same but with the middle. If you find the sweet spot, often different for front and rear, they'll wear quite evenly.

My van would wear the corners, and unevenly, on the front even at max pressure, just from the weight. I'd rotate the fronts left and right to keep it even. I'd have the rear ones at max pressure too, to wear the tread middle more. Once the tires were half worn, I'd do a front-rear rotation. That way, they'd eventually reach minimum tread at a pretty even tread level.

1 upvotes on reddit

TurboTorchPower · 3 months ago

Also please avoid really cheap tyres. They aren't worth it as they have terrible grip especially in the wet. Stay away from brands like Triangle and Linglong. Stick to the well known Euro and Japanese brands.

3 upvotes on reddit

cherokeevorn · 3 months ago

And also check your wiper blades,and if you are like me and live where it can get cold,make sure you have anti freeze in your cooling system.

3 upvotes on reddit

See 6 replies

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