Home » It’s Wrenching Wednesday: How Are You Prepping Your Car For Winter?

It’s Wrenching Wednesday: How Are You Prepping Your Car For Winter?

Ww Winter Prep
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Andreas8088
Andreas8088
6 months ago

Massachusetts, so pretty much just making sure under-body panels aren’t falling off on the winter beater/camping van, and that it has a valid inspection sticker. Other than that, not much. I don’t change tires on vehicles because it’s not necessary in this area, so nothing really changes from season to season.

Stef Schrader
Stef Schrader
6 months ago

People actually prepare for foul weather?

Signed,
All of Texas

(I’ll probably restock on candles for the inevitable cold-weather power failure and buy a tarp to cover what’s left of my poor cactus. None of those are car things. I’m not getting my car out in the ice if I don’t have to, that’s for damn sure.)

Last edited 6 months ago by Stef Schrader
VermonsterDad
VermonsterDad
6 months ago

I turn the HVAC knob from cool to heat, and then hope for the best from there.

Myk El
Myk El
6 months ago

I live in Arizona, and not in a part that gets snow regularly like Flagstaff. So not a damn thing.

ColoradoFX4
ColoradoFX4
6 months ago

Winterizing my old Ranger means throwing the tow straps in the back (for me or someone else), and that’s about it.

Doctor Nine
Doctor Nine
6 months ago

I live in the South, so winter is just a mildly cool day most of the time. My routine is usually just getting all the oil changes done on my fleet while the weather is nice.

Stef Schrader
Stef Schrader
6 months ago
Reply to  Doctor Nine

Yeah, this is (for the most part) our wrenching weather.

Rock Burner
Rock Burner
6 months ago

In the Southern UK we basically just get rain, rain and more rain (with maybe a day or two of frost).

So I’ll be getting the roof seals on the EOS maintained (and the rest of the roof mechanism serviced), and topping up the screenwash…

(also need to find out why the steering creaks….)

Taargus Taargus
Taargus Taargus
6 months ago

Upstate NY here. Winter here really blows. I’ll be getting a set of Michelin cross climates for the van, as we’ve been very pleased with the set on our Forester. They’re nearly as good as a dedicated snow tire in the snow, and decent enough/long wearing in the summer. For cars where you could give a crap about handling like a crossover or van, they make a lot of sense.

Dodsworth
Dodsworth
6 months ago

I live in a Gulf Coast state. I throw an ice scraper in the glovebox. I never used it last winter. Don’t hate me.

Phantom Pedal Syndrome
Phantom Pedal Syndrome
6 months ago

PNW here, which means it’s more about being rain ready.

•RainX treatment on every glass surface
•Wiper blade replacements (including tiny ones on headlights (so cute))
•Clean deciduous tree detritus out of drainage channels
•Decrease driving speed
•Increase following distance
•Disposable poncho in the glove box
•Thick quilt folded in thirds to cover the back seat (for doggy comfort, upholstery cleanliness and in case of emergency)
•Old chore coat hung on the “oh shit handles” dry cleaner hook behind the drivers seat
•Increased driving anxiety and rear view mirror attention
•Up my dosage of antidepressants

Pretty simple everyday stuff really.

Oh… and switch the radio from FM to AM so I can listen to ESPN.

Phantom Pedal Syndrome
Phantom Pedal Syndrome
6 months ago

And if snow hits and sticks…

•Tiny snowman hood ornaments.

Last edited 6 months ago by Phantom Pedal Syndrome
Spikedlemon
Spikedlemon
6 months ago

I love that the “oh shit handles” are the universal, worldwide, accepted name.

Toecutter
Toecutter
6 months ago

I’m trying to arrange the order of some custom-wound Grin all-axle side motors for the custom “bicycle”/microcar. This way, I can have motors on the front wheels, which coupled with the current Leafbike 1500W 3T motor in the rear, will give me AWD. AWD which is definitely needed for stability and traction when riding in the snow. So the purpose of this upgrade isn’t ONLY going to be for trolling Hellcats…

The pack of Molicel P42A batteries I have in it can make 20 kW continuous. I’m currently only using 10kW of that, but the extra 2 motors will be able to allow me to use its real potential. With this upgrade, what will be a roughly 100 lb vehicle will have roughly 300 lb-ft of torque at 0 rpm available, with AWD. It will feel like being shot out of a cannon at a full power launch.

Whatever spec it gets built to, I need to get Torch to drive it!

Last edited 6 months ago by Toecutter
Dangerous_Daveo
Dangerous_Daveo
6 months ago

Qld Australia here. What is this winter you talk of?

As we are coming in to summer (likely on the extreme side this year), the only prep I do is check which of my mates project cars still have AC stripped out of them, and avoid going in them!

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