Post Your Winter Preparation Checklist!
- Thread starter Turk
- Start date
- Status
Make sure it has winter windshield washer fluid. Install my Blizzaks.
'cycle gets parked on the far wall of my bay of the garage with sta-bil, leaving room for my car to pull in. Will leave battery cover off so I can get at it with a charger.
Daily driven saturn gets snow tires the evening before 1st big snow. Syn 5w30 before temps dip below 5'F. Shovel and ice scraper in trunks. Fall is a great time for cleaning out the trash and vacuuming etc.
Lawnmower and snowblower trade "front and center" places in garage. In truth the cars are more ready for winter than the rest of my clutter.
In December I'll dump my gas reserves in a vehicle then buy fresh so it has better RVP for easier starting in the carb'd stuff.
Daily driven saturn gets snow tires the evening before 1st big snow. Syn 5w30 before temps dip below 5'F. Shovel and ice scraper in trunks. Fall is a great time for cleaning out the trash and vacuuming etc.
Lawnmower and snowblower trade "front and center" places in garage. In truth the cars are more ready for winter than the rest of my clutter.
In December I'll dump my gas reserves in a vehicle then buy fresh so it has better RVP for easier starting in the carb'd stuff.
Pull the snowblower out of the shed. I changed the oil to Havoline 5W30 when I put her away.
Change the wife's Maxx over to Q-TP or Napa 5W30 (probably Q, so I don't have to change it 'til spring)
Change the F150 over to PP 5W20 when I get back from Moab,UT.
I will already have changed the Heep (Jeep) over to Q-TP 5W30 for the trip.
Get the shovels out. Put the bags of salt in the salt box on the deck. Put the shoe brush outside the door after the leaves finish falling.
Get some more firewood too...just haven't had time.
Change the wife's Maxx over to Q-TP or Napa 5W30 (probably Q, so I don't have to change it 'til spring)
Change the F150 over to PP 5W20 when I get back from Moab,UT.
I will already have changed the Heep (Jeep) over to Q-TP 5W30 for the trip.
Get the shovels out. Put the bags of salt in the salt box on the deck. Put the shoe brush outside the door after the leaves finish falling.
Get some more firewood too...just haven't had time.
Here is my annual winter checklist, I replace anything if necessary:
-All fluid levels and conditions
-Spark plugs and wires
-Air Filter
-Battery stress test and charging system test
-PCV & Breathing system
-All gaskets that are visible
-Belts and Hoses
-Check braking system to make sure all 4 calipers are sliding freely as the salt will seize them in no time.
-Remove all season tires and replace with Winter tires
-Running diagnostic check with pro-grade scan tool to check all sensors etc.
-Underneath check for anything loose, worn or broken. CV boots, Drive Shafts, Ball Joints, Exhaust, Fuel tank etc.
-Heater Fan & Heater core is working properly without leaks.
-Head Lights, Signals, Tail lights etc.
-Rear defroster
-Paint and touch up and chips, dings, scratches with a touch-up paint. This helps prevent rust from starting in a damaged area.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something because I go over the vehicle with a fine tooth comb but you get the picture...
-All fluid levels and conditions
-Spark plugs and wires
-Air Filter
-Battery stress test and charging system test
-PCV & Breathing system
-All gaskets that are visible
-Belts and Hoses
-Check braking system to make sure all 4 calipers are sliding freely as the salt will seize them in no time.
-Remove all season tires and replace with Winter tires
-Running diagnostic check with pro-grade scan tool to check all sensors etc.
-Underneath check for anything loose, worn or broken. CV boots, Drive Shafts, Ball Joints, Exhaust, Fuel tank etc.
-Heater Fan & Heater core is working properly without leaks.
-Head Lights, Signals, Tail lights etc.
-Rear defroster
-Paint and touch up and chips, dings, scratches with a touch-up paint. This helps prevent rust from starting in a damaged area.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something because I go over the vehicle with a fine tooth comb but you get the picture...
For my Nissan Frontier 4WD, I wash and wax it with NuFinisf-I use two coats applied about two weeks apart. I get under the truck and spray bolt heads, welds, etc with either WD-40 or PB Blaster. I grease the weatherstripping with a high vacuum silicone grease I got from my lab so the doors don't freeze shut. I make sure the 4WD mechanism is working and put a box in my truck with jumpers, tow strap, hook for rear receiver hitch, thermal blanket, candles (for heat) and some energy bars along with spare gloves, stocking hat and socks. I also carry a flashlight with good fresh batteries.
Engine wise, I havea good syn 5w30 oil (Mobil 1 EP) in the engine, have the wiper tank full, make sure the PS fluid is up to the line and have in new engine air filter if needed. I also make sure the cabin air filters are new to get good defrost action. I also keep a collapsible snow shovel in the cab and, on trips, have a bag of cat litter if I think I may need it for traction. This gets me through the mountains of PA during hunting season quite nicely!
Engine wise, I havea good syn 5w30 oil (Mobil 1 EP) in the engine, have the wiper tank full, make sure the PS fluid is up to the line and have in new engine air filter if needed. I also make sure the cabin air filters are new to get good defrost action. I also keep a collapsible snow shovel in the cab and, on trips, have a bag of cat litter if I think I may need it for traction. This gets me through the mountains of PA during hunting season quite nicely!
Yep, I do the similar items you do too, StevieC.
I also:
- Add air to the tires as it gets cold (they lose air as it gets colder)
- Squirt Silicone Lube on all the door, hood & trunk hinges including the door lock holes
- Wax the vehicles with a top quality wax
- Grease the weatherstripping
- Pack an emergency box with vehicle & human supplies
I also:
- Add air to the tires as it gets cold (they lose air as it gets colder)
- Squirt Silicone Lube on all the door, hood & trunk hinges including the door lock holes
- Wax the vehicles with a top quality wax
- Grease the weatherstripping
- Pack an emergency box with vehicle & human supplies
Change out 15w40 with 5w30? Check.
Matched tires on rear? Check.
Two different tires with different tread depths on front? Uh, check.
Overdue for tuneup? Uh...
Coat of wax? Ugh...
Matched tires on rear? Check.
Two different tires with different tread depths on front? Uh, check.
Overdue for tuneup? Uh...
Coat of wax? Ugh...
Absolutely nothing.
Kestas
Staff member
Now may be a good time for washer fluid maintenance to get rid of clinkers that are in the system.
Remove the line at the squirters and backflush the nozzles with a squirt bottle. Clean the nozzles with a wire to clear any wax or calcium buildup.
Drain the washer fluid reservoir, and flush the reservoir with a garden hose, letting the water overflow for a long time to flush out the solids.
With the hose still disconnected at the nozzles, operate the washer fluid to flush a lot of water through the system. That should get rid of any clinkers in the lines.
At that point you should be good to go for the season. This is an often overlooked maintenance item that should be done periodically when your washer fluid spray seems a bit off.
Remove the line at the squirters and backflush the nozzles with a squirt bottle. Clean the nozzles with a wire to clear any wax or calcium buildup.
Drain the washer fluid reservoir, and flush the reservoir with a garden hose, letting the water overflow for a long time to flush out the solids.
With the hose still disconnected at the nozzles, operate the washer fluid to flush a lot of water through the system. That should get rid of any clinkers in the lines.
At that point you should be good to go for the season. This is an often overlooked maintenance item that should be done periodically when your washer fluid spray seems a bit off.
Kestas
Staff member
I also toss a shovel and some sand in the trunk before a snowstorm. Sand can be conveniently kept in a dry plastic gallon container with a screw top lid for easy pouring.
I put a blanket in the hatch, and I'm going to be changing my oil in November to 5w30 Castrol Edge. I also will probably wax/polish my car before the snow flies. Oh yeah, and I'll be putting my ice scraper/brush back in the car.
Vehicles, general once-over to spot anything that's not right. The fleet will have oil changed sometime in October and this year I'm going with synthetic for the first time for the Malibu (M1 0w30) and the Dakota (M1 10w30). The Malibu will be the DD for winter since the Dakota is 2wd. Wiper blades will be changed and I'll flush out the washer reservoirs to make sure the summer/bug formula is out and replaced with the winter blend. Tires checked and the spare on the Dakota will be dropped to make sure the mechanism works and to lube the tire lock.
Mower will be run out of gas sometime in November and washed. Snowthrower will be pulled out and prepped. Gas will be dumped (into the Dakota) and a fresh batch mixed since the snowthrower needs 2-cycle oil in the gas.
Padlocks outside the house will be tested and lubed.
Mower will be run out of gas sometime in November and washed. Snowthrower will be pulled out and prepped. Gas will be dumped (into the Dakota) and a fresh batch mixed since the snowthrower needs 2-cycle oil in the gas.
Padlocks outside the house will be tested and lubed.
Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
nothing other than making sure the oil is changed. I hate changing oil when it's 30 degrees outside
Part of the reason I'm going with synth for winter. However, if it was January and 30 degrees predicted, I'd be
at the beautiful day to change oil in winter (in fact I think that actually was the case last January when I realized the Dakota was long overdue....)
nothing other than making sure the oil is changed. I hate changing oil when it's 30 degrees outside
Part of the reason I'm going with synth for winter. However, if it was January and 30 degrees predicted, I'd be
Put all 3 on the lift today. Changed the oil in each and rolled around under each one to make sure everything was set to go. Checked tire pressure, filled the washer fluid, etc.
The Subaru will get a new battery in a couple weeks-it's 5 years old (OEM-almost 80K miles). Still starts just fine, but since it's my wife's car I'll err on the side of caution. She's never been stranded by a vehicle and I plan to keep it that way.
Mid October the Ford 2N will get the mower removed, the loaded winter tires/chains will replace the turf tires and the oil will be changed (Rotella 15W40). It was tuned up last spring so it's still in good shape for this winter, although I might replace the ballast resistor (it's at least 30 years old). First part of November I'll put the blade and loader on so I'm ready for snow.
The show tractors will get put away for winter in a couple weeks.
The Subaru will get a new battery in a couple weeks-it's 5 years old (OEM-almost 80K miles). Still starts just fine, but since it's my wife's car I'll err on the side of caution. She's never been stranded by a vehicle and I plan to keep it that way.
Mid October the Ford 2N will get the mower removed, the loaded winter tires/chains will replace the turf tires and the oil will be changed (Rotella 15W40). It was tuned up last spring so it's still in good shape for this winter, although I might replace the ballast resistor (it's at least 30 years old). First part of November I'll put the blade and loader on so I'm ready for snow.
The show tractors will get put away for winter in a couple weeks.
Winter checklist:
[*]QHP - Oil Change sometime in mid-late November. [*]Properly inflate tires due to cold weather.
[*]Re-install skid plate to protect oil filter and steering stabilizer kit.
[*]Gloves, Beanie, and P-Coat.
[*]Cup of Coffee, French Vanilla flavored with some FV creamer.
[*]Ice Scraper in vehicle.
[*]MMO Container.
[*]QHP - Oil Change sometime in mid-late November. [*]Properly inflate tires due to cold weather.
[*]Re-install skid plate to protect oil filter and steering stabilizer kit.
[*]Gloves, Beanie, and P-Coat.
[*]Cup of Coffee, French Vanilla flavored with some FV creamer.
[*]Ice Scraper in vehicle.
[*]MMO Container.
throw a sweatshirt on the backseat in case it dips into the 60s.
Re-installed wiper blades at the end of October or early November for winter rain, wiper blades were removed from end of April each year to improve aerodynamic and look.
- Status
