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Winter Car Care 101

mk7_bk

mk7_bk

Autocross Champion
Location
Philadelphia Area
Creating a thread on this. Search sucked. Google search brought up 1 dead thread. So I'm going to create my own. Would love all tips and tricks that everyone has and I will include all in the second post. Thank you
 
mk7_bk

mk7_bk

Autocross Champion
Location
Philadelphia Area
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Winter Care Areas

Wheels: Use stock or "steelie" wheels.

Tires: Snow/ Snow performance. Really
depends on your area. Many might get away with A/S tires.

Wash/Seal: Wash undercar after snow storm, wash car every 2 weeks if you can. Clean snow from wheels after big storm

Check fluids: Coolant level, Washerfluid level (add if needed). Use cold type washer fluid

Tire Pressure: Check tire pressure as it will loose pressure during temperature drop (roughly 1psi per 10°)

Items to add in car: Ice scrapper/ Brush, Gloves, emergency kit, jumper cables, Flashlight, Small bag KittyLitter, heavy blanket (incase you get stuck and are cold), Small Shovel, Snacks incase you get stuck

Wipers: Put wipers in service mode (before storm) / Replace wipers if needed.

Windshield: claybar windshield, add rain-x when dry to help snow/ice

Floor Mats: Use Monster Mats, or buy weathertech mats
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Tips, Tricks, Useful items

Tip: Clean off tailpipes before starting car

Tip: Go to touchless carwash

Tip: Don't let gas level go below 1/4

Tip: Test your battery with a volt meter before winter starts

Tip: Wax before the first big storm

Tip: Check spare tire/ gear to make sure that is all good

Tip: Use de-icer spray in am when windshield is frozen

Lastly: Move to warm area as many jokers have said
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Resources / Videos

Good deicer I used: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Prestone...MIvZmpssbJ5QIVVf7jBx2ehQElEAkYEiABEgJ-Z_D_BwE

Use a pre-spray when at all possible and avoid contact washing until salt has been removed. Always avoid touch washes (machine). Do go through touchless that hit the undercarriage.
https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/ammo-boost-winter-wash/

In addition a lot of good points i would otherwise type are well laid out in these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJCQ0X5E5Ig (car wash tips for winter)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTsUSDD0Zzk (how to wash in the cold)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_18VlRvxTsk (winter prep/ wheel wash)
 
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C

c72k

Go Kart Champion
Location
CA
Car(s)
BMW
I also keep cat litter in a zip lock bag in case I need extra traction/get stuck. A blanket is also not a bad idea. Some may consider switching to 0W-40 if car is kept outside or temps are super low
 
V

vincevtr

Ready to race!
Location
Ontario
Car(s)
MK7 GTI
clean snow out completely from your wheels after a big snowfall.

Wash the car every other week, or even more frequently if you can.
 
Z

ZuMBLe

Autocross Champion
Location
NY
Car(s)
Alltrack 6MT
Make sure washer fluid is winter type that won't freeze. Not all fluids are the same.
 
R

Ridebjj

Autocross Champion
Location
lasVegas
Move to the desert. Drive all year on high performance summer tires. :D
 
ElectricEye

ElectricEye

Autocross Newbie
Location
Central NJ
Put a nice, heavy duty blanket in your hatch - just in case you ever wind up stranded in the cold and need to wait a long time for help.
 
miked617

miked617

Go Kart Newbie
Location
Boston, MA
Car(s)
21 VW GTI
Wax it before the first storm hits.

Use a volt meter to test your battery before winter. Better to replace in the fall than the dead of winter.

Dont let gas drop below a 1/4 tank.

Use a drive through touchless wash when its too cold. I have a membership for "unlimited" washes. Comes in handy....

Make sure tailpipes are clean before starting/cleaning off the car.

Put wipers in service mode to prevent them from freezing to the windshield.

If you have a roofbox, or can spare the trunk space, carry a shovel with you at all times. Has come in handy for me more than once.
 
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