Summerizing your car, Ecomodder style

[Daox]

Its that time of year again!

[kingsway]

Let's not tempt fate.... We had snow in eastern England this time last year so, although it's been a mild winter and an early Spring, we could get yet get a suprise snow-fall!!

[Daox]

There may be a good snow storm left. We shall see. However, I am anxious to get my lighter alloy wheels back on with LRR all season tires. Those winter tires, despite being called LRRs definitely have an effect on my coasting distance.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by kingsway

I'd suggest checking that your wheels are turning freely... One of my rear wheels brakes were binding from corrosion caused by winter road salt - I was still getting good mileage, but it seems it could have been even better!!

I took both calipers off, cleaned up and lubricated (with copper grease) the rubbing surfaces and wheels are turning much more smoothly!

It's easy to check - all for the 'cost' of just jacking up each wheel in turn - or getting your local tyre dealer to put your car up in the air for a couple of minutes.

I dont know if you have it there or not in the uk, there is a substance you can spray on the moving parts of brakes aside from the pad and rotor surfaces that will keep them moving freely for years. Its ghraphite based dry aerosol spray, not the teflon dry lube, the teflon stuff is only good for guns and bearings.
This stuff sticks to surfaces better than paint (I sand blast big rusty chain and dry lube them), it wont rub off, thats the reason I "paint" chains with it, wont wash off even when hit with a power washer, wire brushing it barely effects it, wire brushing mostly just shines it up and best of all it wont attract dirt.
I originally stocked up on military surplus dry lube, but as my one time score was slowly depleted I searched for years to find a replacement.
One day I was at the john deere store looking for a part and happened to see graphite dry lube on the shelf and that was it.
My civilian state side source for this concoction is john deere ghraphite based dry lube, $7 for a 14 ounce can and a can lasts a real long time.

[Fat Charlie]

We had some great spray dry lube when I was in, but I haven't been able to find anything like it since. Thanks for the tip!

[justme1969]

You pulled up this post in perfect time.
Ive completly forgotten to do my underbody wash this year.
Im not used to underbody road salt anymore being on the gulf coast now.
The rain is comming as spring kicks in and the salt spatter needs to be removed Got it thanks 4 a reminder. LOL

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

I got another one. Get out the ol window sun shades.

I keep mine handy year-round....

Summer for the obvious summer use.

Winter, it gets put on the outside of my windshield to reduce/eliminate frost so I can get on the road quicker with less scraping.

[Cobb]

Nothing about adding water wetter to your radiator and using a turkey baster from the dollar store to put the extra fluid in the over flow bottle?

What about window vent guards so you can park with our windows open an inch or even drive without water getting in?

AC on the insight its best to set the temperature to lo, air on recycle and use the blower speed for a lot of cold air or a little. You know, use the fan speed to regulate temp vs the actual thermostat on the dash as that mixes heat in from the heater core.

Window tint makes a big difference and you can even buy suction ccup and pop in screens too. Ive seen static cling window tint from walmart that you can cut to shape on the outside of your window, then stick it on the inside.

[oil pan 4]

Why hasnt any one tried a portable air conditioner?
Turn on the A/C and cool off the car a little before you start it.

[Cobb]

I use to do this, but I got too many horns honking and people getting in the way to take photos. The gas came from our shed, so I didnt factor it into the mpg as it was free.

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Why hasnt any one tried a portable air conditioner?
Turn on the A/C and cool off the car a little before you start it.