"mazda616" (mazda616)
11/09/2014 at 00:53 • Filed to: Winter
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"mazda616" (mazda616)
11/09/2014 at 00:53 • Filed to: Winter | 0
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I keep seeing all these local shops advertising specials on winter preparation services. What exactly is you Oppo's opinion on what needs to be done for a car to prepare for winter? I usually just drive it, albeit slowly and gently until it warms up. I just did a coolant flush in April and I do oil changes regularly. It also has new tires, newer brakes and I cleaned the K&N air filter this summer. Do I need to have the locks/hinges lubed or even the chassis lubed? I've honestly never done those things in the five years I've owned the car. So, I hope they aren't too important...
Just wondering, since this winter is supposed to be rather brutal here in Kentucky (and, yes, our definition of a "brutal" winter is different than you Northerners).
Have a car selfie for your time (taken this weekend as I am back at my alma mater for homecoming).
bob and john
> mazda616
11/09/2014 at 00:54 |
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the canadians change over to winter tires. we dont change our coolant. we may change our oil. thats about it. any "winter prep" is bull.
maybe make sure all of the heating items and defrosting works
Aaron James
> mazda616
11/09/2014 at 01:02 |
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Make sure your wiper fluid is topped off, check tire pressure once it finally gets really cold (next week I think the weatherman said), throw a blanket in the back, you're ready for winter.
CRider
> mazda616
11/09/2014 at 01:02 |
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Where I live, winter prep means turning the AC off and rejoicing in lower gas prices.
E30Joe drives a Subaru
> mazda616
11/09/2014 at 01:04 |
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For me, winter wheels with snow tires, different suspension, different oil weight, roof rack/box/something to hold snowboards.
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mazda616
> bob and john
11/09/2014 at 01:23 |
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We don't get enough snow in Kentucky to justify winter tires, thankfully. I did the coolant flush just because it was time, not really for preparation for winter or anything. My car was built literally a month before Mazda switched to "long-life" coolant that only needs to be changed every 100,000 miles. But, I'd probably still change it before that.
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mazda616
> Aaron James
11/09/2014 at 01:24 |
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Good idea on the tire pressure. The TPMS yells at me the first real cold day we get, every year without fail. If the tires get like 1-2 PSI under where the car wants them, I get beeps and that little orange light.
gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
> mazda616
11/09/2014 at 01:54 |
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If I had separate winter tires, I'd install them. I just ran a set of winter-rated A/T's year round on the Jeep. I changed the oil to a 5w30 in the winter (vs 10w30 in the summer), put the cord back on the block heater, checked to make sure my coolant and washer fluid were going to stay liquid down to -50°C, and that was about it. That's really all I do to prep for -40 winters. I also add some warmer clothing, shovel, and extra recovery gear to my emergency kit.
I can't really imagine shops doing much more than that. Possibly testing batteries and charging system, checking fluid levels, etc. General tune-up stuff, I'd guess. Make sure everything's okay before you could die if your car fails you in the middle of nowhere... I've never gone for a "winter service" myself. A friend of mine once did, and so far as I could tell it mostly involved swapping out for winter tires.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> mazda616
11/09/2014 at 02:20 |
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ahhh winter , wipers work , check. tyres got tread , check. job done