Winter Is Coming....

merlin5577 · October 13, 2008

I know because of the wide area members live across that winter means different things to different people but I am curious how each of you prepares (if at all) your vehicle(s) for winter. I dont do anything extreme. I put a blanket, heavy sweater, ice scraper, and a few other things in the trucks, put the grill guard on the Silverado when it regularly stays below freezing and run electrical cords outside for the block heaters for if/when they are needed. Other then that I just keep the trucks on the normal maintenance schedules. I would like to hear from everyone on the site ideally but thank you in advance to those who do respond.

stadt11 · October 13, 2008

Here's how I prepare

Darkanion · October 13, 2008

ehhhhhh - Winter?? What's that??

Park it in the garage, as per normal. Use the remote start, so the heater will be on before I get in the truck, if I have to park 'er outside. That's about it.

certifiedcustom · October 13, 2008

Put Stabil and fog the motors of the summer stuff, switch the all-seasons and fire up the sled. Then we pray for snow!

rvsahs · October 13, 2008

ehhhhhh - Winter?? What's that??

Park it in the garage, as per normal. Use the remote start, so the heater will be on before I get in the truck, if I have to park 'er outside. That's about it.

Might throw a some weight in the truck bed if snow/ice is in the forecast.

Darkanion · October 13, 2008

ehhhhhh - Winter?? What's that??

Park it in the garage, as per normal. Use the remote start, so the heater will be on before I get in the truck, if I have to park 'er outside. That's about it.

Might throw a some weight in the truck bed if snow/ice is in the forecast.

Y'know, I have yet to drive this thing on snow or ice... You do bring up a good point, though, about maybe getting some sandbags or something to keep in the garage to put in the bed on those "just in case" days ..

carneyman · October 13, 2008

ehhhhhh - Winter?? What's that??

Park it in the garage, as per normal. Use the remote start, so the heater will be on before I get in the truck, if I have to park 'er outside. That's about it.

Might throw a some weight in the truck bed if snow/ice is in the forecast.

Y'know, I have yet to drive this thing on snow or ice... You do bring up a good point, though, about maybe getting some sandbags or something to keep in the garage to put in the bed on those "just in case" days ..

I test drove a nbs on snow and ice, and it did tons better in 2wd than my truck does in 4wd. I was pretty surprised.

Darkanion · October 13, 2008

I test drove a nbs on snow and ice, and it did tons better in 2wd than my truck does in 4wd. I was pretty surprised.

Interesting... I'll keep that in mind. But, the next time I see something that can be used for dead weight that won't get damaged by moisture, I think I'm going to pick some up... Better safe than sorry, right?

I must say, that really surprises me that it did better in 2wd than your truck does in 4wd.. Maybe you need new tires..? Just a thought, man..

carneyman · October 13, 2008

I test drove a nbs on snow and ice, and it did tons better in 2wd than my truck does in 4wd. I was pretty surprised.

Interesting... I'll keep that in mind. But, the next time I see something that can be used for dead weight that won't get damaged by moisture, I think I'm going to pick some up... Better safe than sorry, right?

I must say, that really surprises me that it did better in 2wd than your truck does in 4wd.. Maybe you need new tires..? Just a thought, man..

No, the tires were a little over a year old and bridgestone duelers. A hell of a lot better than my old tires. If I put weight in the bed it does alot better. I think most of it is the locker...not quite sure if mine has one/works.

When you do take it on ice, slam on the breaks. When I tried it the truck stayed in a straight line, didn't slide sideways, and stopped pretty quick.

Darkanion · October 13, 2008

No, the tires were a little over a year old and bridgestone duelers. A hell of a lot better than my old tires. If I put weight in the bed it does alot better. I think most of it is the locker...not quite sure if mine has one/works.

When you do take it on ice, slam on the breaks. When I tried it the truck stayed in a straight line, didn't slide sideways, and stopped pretty quick.

I've gotten this truck into a situation or two where it surprised me at how well it did. One in particular I think was because of the locker. I had gone down this not-exactly-civilized, sorta-steep, rocky/gravely mountain road... I got to the bottom and realized "<insert your favorite curse or two>!! I can't go through! I gotta go Back UP That Mess!"

Fortunately, I could turn around, which I did... I had been in kind of a similar situation with my TSX and I thought I wasn't going to be able to get it out of where I had gotten myself INto.. Anyway! Back to THIS story... I turned around, put the truck in first, gave it a little gas, got to the grade, gave it a little gas, and I expecting it to spin... Nope! It just dug in and went up the road. No "having to make a run at it" or any of that. Just "ok, cool.. let's go up this hill and go somewhere else."

When I started shopping for trucks, I wanted to make sure that whatever I bought had a locking rear differential. The situation I just described made me very glad I did that. Otherwise, that right wheel probably would've started spinning and I would've had to risk tearing something up to get up & out of where I was.

Schmids5.3l · October 15, 2008

Complete detail/fresh coat of wax, new plugs, check antifreeze, and hate life.

ALange · October 25, 2008

I hail from Vermont where it is real cold, but now reside in Idaho where it is wimpy cold. I always keep the fluids fresh, dry gas in the tank often, and I always use four or six aggressive snow tires mounted on steel rims. Alloy rims and salt don't mix. Bags of sand in the back, candle, lighter, knife, and blanket in the cab. A well tuned engine has never needed the block heater, but for diesel it is a must. I carried tire chains for the real back roads to my favorite ice fishing hole. Now I just stay in Iraq and get weather reports from the wife. Blizzak snow tires rock! All season tires work great in Florida.

Draenor · October 25, 2008

Um....I guess all I do is make sure the heater works.

jwhjr · October 25, 2008

Might throw a some weight in the truck bed if snow/ice is in the forecast.

That's what the ice fishing house in the back doubles for

merlin5577 · October 25, 2008

I hail from Vermont where it is real cold, but now reside in Idaho where it is wimpy cold. I always keep the fluids fresh, dry gas in the tank often, and I always use four or six aggressive snow tires mounted on steel rims. Alloy rims and salt don't mix. Bags of sand in the back, candle, lighter, knife, and blanket in the cab. A well tuned engine has never needed the block heater, but for diesel it is a must. I carried tire chains for the real back roads to my favorite ice fishing hole. Now I just stay in Iraq and get weather reports from the wife. Blizzak snow tires rock! All season tires work great in Florida.

That brings up a very good point, anyone here with a block heater use it? Experiences? Advice?