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Winter Car Care 101

mk7_bk

Autocross Champion
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.



Great info, will add in the am when on pc


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

eajr

Go Kart Champion
Location
Chicago, IL
Wash, clay bar, and seal. Make sure to check fluids and tire pressure. Also throw in some winter gear in the service kit such as emergency blanket, gloves/hand warmer pouches. Wouldn't hurt to buy some Weathertech type floor mats to keep the interior clean, or as clean as possible.
 

eajr

Go Kart Champion
Location
Chicago, IL
Dont forget the window scraper for when the glass gets icy! And check to ensure all of your spare tire gear is ready to go if ever needed.
 

riceburner

Autocross Champion
Location
nice try PPNT
Car(s)
MK5 Best GTI
Get this. Helps erradicate salt when washing and prevent corrosion from the salt.
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTsUSDD0Zzk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_18VlRvxTsk
 

mk7_bk

Autocross Champion
Wash, clay bar, and seal. Make sure to check fluids and tire pressure. Also throw in some winter gear in the service kit such as emergency blanket, gloves/hand warmer pouches. Wouldn't hurt to buy some Weathertech type floor mats to keep the interior clean, or as clean as possible.

addded. I use mostermats year round, but yeah for sure the weather type mats are a huge plus.
 

mk7_bk

Autocross Champion
Get this. Helps erradicate salt when washing and prevent corrosion from the salt.
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTsUSDD0Zzk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_18VlRvxTsk


Great info and resources, thanks for sharing and spreading useful info to others, added
 

nicholam77

Go Kart Champion
Location
Minneapolis
When I swap to winter wheels and tires I like to pressure wash the inside of the wheel wells, suspension, and undercarriage. Once dry I apply FluidFilm rust inhibitor to the metal areas underneath the car like the rocker sills, control arms, subframe, etc. I avoid spraying any bushings or things like brakes of course. FluidFilm is thick and greasy and attracts dirt, but should keep a nice barrier against salt and therefore rust. In the spring I use a pressure washer again to clean things up. So far it's seemed to work.

Also consider replacing wipers and using clay bar on windshield. Can also use a product like Rain-X on windshield which will make frost and ice much easier to remove.

In addition to a blanket (I use a space blanket), some preservable snacks could be a good idea. Like beef jerky or something. If you actually get stuck somewhere remote or the tow trucks are busy... you might get hungry.

A lot of the other things I do have already been mentioned.

Not really a car care tip, but consider installing a rear fog light... and use your fogs when visibility is bad.
 

Carlosfandang0

Autocross Newbie
Location
UK
Car(s)
2016 3Dr GTi DSG CSG
When I swap to winter wheels and tires I like to pressure wash the inside of the wheel wells, suspension, and undercarriage. Once dry I apply FluidFilm rust inhibitor to the metal areas underneath the car like the rocker sills, control arms, subframe, etc. I avoid spraying any bushings or things like brakes of course. FluidFilm is thick and greasy and attracts dirt, but should keep a nice barrier against salt and therefore rust. In the spring I use a pressure washer again to clean things up. So far it's seemed to work.



Also consider replacing wipers and using clay bar on windshield. Can also use a product like Rain-X on windshield which will make frost and ice much easier to remove.



In addition to a blanket (I use a space blanket), some preservable snacks could be a good idea. Like beef jerky or something. If you actually get stuck somewhere remote or the tow trucks are busy... you might get hungry.



A lot of the other things I do have already been mentioned.



Not really a car care tip, but consider installing a rear fog light... and use your fogs when visibility is bad.



Rain-x is the worst product ever invented, fact!
 

mk7_bk

Autocross Champion
When I swap to winter wheels and tires I like to pressure wash the inside of the wheel wells, suspension, and undercarriage. Once dry I apply FluidFilm rust inhibitor to the metal areas underneath the car like the rocker sills, control arms, subframe, etc. I avoid spraying any bushings or things like brakes of course. FluidFilm is thick and greasy and attracts dirt, but should keep a nice barrier against salt and therefore rust. In the spring I use a pressure washer again to clean things up. So far it's seemed to work.

Also consider replacing wipers and using clay bar on windshield. Can also use a product like Rain-X on windshield which will make frost and ice much easier to remove.

In addition to a blanket (I use a space blanket), some preservable snacks could be a good idea. Like beef jerky or something. If you actually get stuck somewhere remote or the tow trucks are busy... you might get hungry.

A lot of the other things I do have already been mentioned.

Not really a car care tip, but consider installing a rear fog light... and use your fogs when visibility is bad.


Excellent information, will add what i can.
 

Strange Mud

Autocross Champion
Location
Small Town CT
Car(s)
Assorted
volt meters don't do a good enough job for battery testing....use a load style. Often parts stores will have one in hopes you buy a new battery.


good idea for thread


Mud
 

nicholam77

Go Kart Champion
Location
Minneapolis
Rain-x is the worst product ever invented, fact!

Lol! I don't use it personally because it's annoying to apply and heard it can damage some plastics and rubbers. But it's a "thing" people do. You can get similar ice-repelling results by claying and sealing your glass, too.

I just drive it and wash in the spring when winter is done. Fuck it, it's just a car.

:eek:

Haha, at the end of the day that's kinda true. Depends on how bad your winters are and how easy it is to keep up a maintenance regime. Where I'm at (Minneapolis), sometimes long stretches of sub-zero weather keep the touchless car washes closed or broken, and outside water at my house gets shut off all season. Makes it really hard to do regular washes. and the roads get salted to shit. And when you do find a wash, lines can be up to an hour long. And then your car stays "clean" for exactly 5min. It's a losing battle. :D

I think a good clay and seal before the winter season, and some protective coating on the undercarriage is the most important thing you can do. Wash when you can. And other than that try to let go and have some fun.

 
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