OK this may be 101 to you guys, but I've spent the past 25 years in Australia and NZ where winterising's not really an issue - and I was 14 when we left Ontario, so, consequently, I don't know much about what to worry, or not worry about.

I'm in Kamloops, BC, and the temp's consistently below 0 deg C. I'm expecting snow just about any day now. Last service the coolant was good to -40 so I guess I'm good on that point. I need to drain my summer windscreen stuff and add the anti-freeze stuff I guess. Battery's less than a year old so I figure I'm probably ok there. My truck's a '92 and I can't remember if it says 5-w or 10-w but I'm following the sticker under the hood. I guess nobody uses 'winter oil' anymore, or maybe only way up north?

Everyone says winters are a lot milder here than they used to be - but it still gets down to -30C or so now and then.
Truck has a canopy, old and a little leaky, but it'll keep the snow off - I figure I'm better with it on than off, and I'm going to get the rubbers redone on it and will look at addressing the leaks.

I figure it wouldn't do any harm to use the block heater when it gets colder, since truck's a little older....I may not be using it every day, either. I thought maybe I'd get one of those thermostatic controllers for the block heater...is that a good idea? Lowers the running cost a bit, I guess.

I haven't had the truck that long so am still working through a few fixups on it, and don't know how it will be in the cold - with EFI etc, I guess cold starting's not the big deal it used to be. I planned to do the shocks which all need replacing, but it might be getting a bit too cold to do myself, so I think I'll just pay someone to do them - I suspect the labour'll be quite small just to do shocks.

I've only got 2wd and fairly 'aggressive' all-season tyres, I'm not planning to put winter tyres on. Any big trips we do, we'll do in our Jeep which we DO have snow tires for- which I'll fit soon.

Thought maybe sandbags in the back of the truck might be good, especially since it's 2wd. I managed to get myself stuck on grass a while back so I'm wary of the back end being so light (I don't carry a lot of weight normally)

My drive's pretty steep so I figure I may not park on it when it gets really icy, I can just park at the bottom.

Did I leave anything out? Do any of you use winter fuel additives, or do they tend to add stuff at the refinery according to season? On that note, I have dual tanks, which I tend to try to keep full just for evaporation's sake, and for more weight in the back. Is there an advantage to full tanks in cold weather?

Thanks

 

I would check belts and hoses, and maybe keep a spare belt under the seat. Last year, when I was driving through the YT, I had a relatively new serpentine belt come apart on me simply because of the cold (about -70 F, or -56 C), as well as my t-case rear seal. I would also consider changing the differential fluid if you havent recently, since moisture that gets in can freeze with exreme temps. Make sure your thermostat is the right kind for the region if you are not sure, just get the one the guy at the store recommends, they are cheap, and consider getting either a grill blanket, or get a piece of cardboard that fits in front of the radiator for those few days where it gets really cold. Lastly, I would run some alcohol through the gas to remove any moisture from the tank every few tanks (Heet is one brand, but I know some dont like it, there are plenty of others found at any auto parts store). Also, consider some winter winshield wiper blades that are covered in rubber, to prevent ice build-up, and always lift your blades off the windshield in the evening after you are done driving for the day, if the windshield is wet, so they dont freeze to the glass.

Note, I run synthetic oil in mine, and have never worried about running one type of oil versus another in winter... 162,000 miles so far with no problems. Also, yes you do want weight in the back of the truck, as long as it doesnt slide around (the weight). I carry my ski-doo in the back of mine almost all winter.

 

5W- grade oil. Block heater. Proper antifreeze concentration. Deicer fluid in the washer. A fresh battery (or at least clean battery connections) might help.

A couple of hundred pounds in the back can help. Figure two mothers-in-law worth.

No additives are needed. Keep the tanks at least half full to minimize moisture condensation which can freeze. Alternate your tank usage so the fuel doesn't go stale. Use Sta-Bil or equal if the fuel is likely to sit more than a month.

Yeah, you've got a good handle on it.

First good snowfall, find somewhere safe to practice winter emergency stopping and driving, especially trying to turn while braking.

Steve

 

Thanks, guys

I had thought about the sliding weight, wouldn't be good. Have been thinking about putting some anchor points in the box so I can strap the bags down. Good point about winter blades, I'd bought some for the Jeep. I'll put some on truck too.

Windshield is kind of cracked and chipped, in the spring i'll think about replacing it (then I can get full insurance and cover glass as well) - don't know about where you guys are but here, what they put down as 'sand' on the roads is a lot more like gravel - lots and lots of chipped windshields. We bought the Jeep before New Year's eve, with a perfect windscreen, by spring it had four chips and a nasty crack, and we picked up another chip in the summer....

I've run Seafoam through the fuel tanks, so moisture shouldn't be an issue (I think it absorbs water) but condensation IS something to look out for.

 

[QUOTE=pjb999@yahoo.co]
I had thought about the sliding weight, wouldn't be good. Have been thinking about putting some anchor points in the box so I can strap the bags down. QUOTE]

I wouldnt worry about sandbags moving around too much, I've never seen anyone strap them down, I was just referring to weight in general ie: right now, I have an axle (whole rear end) in the back of mine that I'm waiting to take to my brother's house, and it rolls around in the back, affecting the rear end when I go around turns on the ice. I would just make sure that you use enough weight to make a difference. I usually carry about 500 lbs (over 220 Kg's) and I dont think it is too much at all. I pay for it in fuel economy, but is by far worth it in handling.

 

if you are worried about the bags sliding around, just put in a 2x6 right behind the wheel well, and lay the bags behind the board. Keep them from sliding forward, and you probably will have enough equaly loaded left to right, that sideways sliding shouldnt be a concern.

And yes the gas stations should have already switched to winter blended fuel. Just make sure you burn both your tanks down of what summer blend you may have left.

And all i do for winter prep is put a blanket in my truck. We have very mild winters in central texas, usually the coldest we see is +15*F
-Patrick

 

Those of you who have been following the weather in the Pacific Northwest will know I kind of had my baptism of fire well ice- here in Kamloops BC we had several days of -22C or colder (-4f or so) - fortunately I didn't have to do much driving - I hadn't been able to do all my winter prepping yet, it doesn't usually get this bad (if at all) til much later....

I think I need to lower my tire pressure. I'm not working right now and only have 2wd so snow tires right now are not an option. As I understand it, I could go for snows, or perhaps ideally studs, on the back only, if I can't afford 4 snow tires? I couldn't even get out of my street yesterday without reversing and having a big run at it (hadn't gotten my sandbags and tires were spinning even at idle in first, I had to go to second or third...

Our other car is a Jeep with michelin snow tires and we've had NO trouble at all with it - I suspect I'll be wanting to move up to a 4wd truck soon as I can afford it.

My shocks need replacing, again not much cash but was going to do them myself but don't really see that happening, outside in this weather. Am I correct in assuming shocks have a big bearing on traction in snow?

Been playing it safe and using the block heater, I'd had cooling system flushed etc in May, but it appeared when I tested coolant it wasn't rated for too low a temperature - not sure why and had lost some coolant as it got cold, through a loose hose clamp on the upper radiator hose - will have to do some hose replacement soon I guess, some look old upon closer inspection....so anyway, now it's warming up I have block heater on a timer so it's 15 min on, 15 off. I figure it'll save power and will be enough. Can't say I notice the heater working straight away but there is a spark when I plug or unplug the heater, and I can hear it 'singing' so I assume it's working....

So what's the consensus on weight in the back? Directly over the axle, obviously, but how much? One poster says 500lb another 200. I must admit I didn't think 200 was much....obviously I can take 500 but is there an optimum?