How to Winterize Your Car EcoModder Style

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Aren't cozies on your fingers - eg. mitties or gloves - easier to do?

Potentially I'm too cheap to buy them (and not skilled enough to make)... And the only things I've found used are too bulky - I really don't like riding desensitized like

[almightybmw]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

You mean on the outside of the glass? A blanket/cardboard/something on the windshield is a common trick I see used.

I'll second going to synthetic lubricants all around for anyone living in a cold winter climate.

I've got a large piece of vinyl fabric that I use for the windshield. So far, it's never failed at keeping frost/ice/snow buildup off the windshield. It's large enough that it covers the entire windshield, and I lock it into my front doors, top to bottom, and use 3 rare earth magnets to hold it down. 40mph gusts haven't removed it with that setup (although some snow does blow under).

Highly recommended, as with a block heater and the cover, you can drive away after 15 seconds (assuming adequate block heater warmup time).

[NH Titan]

I used to have a snow and ice windshield cover that attached with suction cups to the inside of the windshield. I am going to look for another one. It was years ago that I had it. It did work good.

[Ford Man]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Any advice for dealing with frost?

In the past I have used a piece of aluminum flashing on the windshield by running the windshield wipers to the vertical position and then just place the flashing underneath them to hold it in place. Flashing is also thin enough you can just roll it back up and stick it in the back until you park the car that night. I have some de-icer I bought at the end of the winter last year when it went on clearance and so far this year I have just been spraying 2 or three sprays on the drivers side then getting in and turning on the wipers and that is clearing it pretty well.

[NH Titan]

Originally Posted by NH Titan

I used to have a snow and ice windshield cover that attached with suction cups to the inside of the windshield. I am going to look for another one. It was years ago that I had it. It did work good.

I just picked up another one at Wally World for like 6 bucks and some change.

[bikin' Ed]

Sadly, The MIazda is winterized a little differently. Fuel stabalizer added, tires pumped up, oil changed, put up on jacks, battery trickle charger attached, and fully covered, not to see the rosd again until spring.

I'll be driving the Dakota thru the winter. I have to change it's oil(just happens to be time), put 2x4 frame back into the bed--I then put buckets of water with snap on covers into it for ballast when snow driving--it's 2wd and would have no snow traction otherwise.

The radiator is already blocked, but I'd like to get my grille block made also. I'm also thinking that the radiator fan is going to be removed--I wanted to add an electric model anyway.

[RobertSmalls]

I have a big problem with frost on the *inside* of my glass. No, I don't have a leaky heater core, I just prefer not to run the heat in my car.

Scraping the interior glass works poorly, since it's concave, and ice scrapers are flat. I've tried RainX Interior Glass Anti-Fog, which is helpful but doesn't last long. Leaving a window ajar works great, unless it snows.

Does anyone else have this problem?

[wagonman76]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

I have a big problem with frost on the *inside* of my glass. No, I don't have a leaky heater core, I just prefer not to run the heat in my car.

Scraping the interior glass works poorly, since it's concave, and ice scrapers are flat. I've tried RainX Interior Glass Anti-Fog, which is helpful but doesn't last long. Leaving a window ajar works great, unless it snows.

Does anyone else have this problem?

I only have this problem when I forget to close a window, and the car sits all night when we get frost in the summer. With all the windows closed, no frost on the inside. Wintertime does not matter so much, the air is so dry I never get frost.

[TestDrive]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Scraping the interior glass works poorly, since it's concave, and ice scrapers are flat.

Try using the edge of a flexible plastic card - like a credit card.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by TestDrive

Try using the edge of a flexible plastic card - like a credit card.

I agree, it works well for both inside and out. The rental car company failed to provide a scraper, so I used their frequent-renter card. This week.

Back to my ride -- I put the cardboard block back into place between the condenser and radiator. In the -5F to +15F temps, it worked very well. I could actually use the heat in the car! Toasty is good.

But, I had a usually crappy Winter tank. Plowing through the snow and low temps took a toll. 31.13 MPG. Ouch. To add "In-Salt" to injury, someone bumped the mirror in the parking lot and the glass is hanging on by one pivot point. I can't get it to stick again Out comes the clear packing tape! I won't comment on how it got weakened by hitting the garage 2 years ago, but it worked since!

Well, a new tank holds new possibilities, so onward...

RH77