Cold weather prep?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,039
Likes: 1,523
From: Maine, Virginia
Don't forget about the cold weather prep for your house as well.
Removing the garden hoses and cover your spigots with a foam cover can and will save countless headaches later on and seems to be one of the last things that people in the south look after.
Removing the garden hoses and cover your spigots with a foam cover can and will save countless headaches later on and seems to be one of the last things that people in the south look after.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
Extreme cold is why I live in Central Texas. But the summer heat is tough on batteries. Making sure you have the correct amount and mix of coolant is important all the time.
Occasionally, we get a freeze and plumbers and home improvement centers do a brisk business because people don't put the foam covers or insulation on exposed pipes and hose bibs.
Occasionally, we get a freeze and plumbers and home improvement centers do a brisk business because people don't put the foam covers or insulation on exposed pipes and hose bibs.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
I was driving a 2001 Ford F150 XLT 2WD. I usually did the following in the winter.
1) Make sure you have good tires. Good in Snow, slush and Ice.
2) Sand bags over the back wheels. Keep the back end from sliding too and give yous something to throw down if needed.
3) I carry a smaller snow shovel. If I need to dig out. If you need more weight, just shovel some snow in the back.
4) Drive slow and steady.
5) Keep your gas tank from getting too low. You don't want to get stuck somewhere without any heat, especially if traffic is backed up for hours.
6) Winter blend washer fluid/winter wiper blades.
7) A good snow brush/scraper.
8) Keep up with the maintenance
I have a 2010 F150 4WD now. Haven't had any problems starting during the winter, even during the polar vortex last year. I have lived in Ohio for a long time, the turn pike is salted very heavily. Some cities will plow side streets, but won't salt them.
1) Make sure you have good tires. Good in Snow, slush and Ice.
2) Sand bags over the back wheels. Keep the back end from sliding too and give yous something to throw down if needed.
3) I carry a smaller snow shovel. If I need to dig out. If you need more weight, just shovel some snow in the back.
4) Drive slow and steady.
5) Keep your gas tank from getting too low. You don't want to get stuck somewhere without any heat, especially if traffic is backed up for hours.
6) Winter blend washer fluid/winter wiper blades.
7) A good snow brush/scraper.
8) Keep up with the maintenance
I have a 2010 F150 4WD now. Haven't had any problems starting during the winter, even during the polar vortex last year. I have lived in Ohio for a long time, the turn pike is salted very heavily. Some cities will plow side streets, but won't salt them.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
Too heavily. As they do here in IL. Btw, I just ordered a set of wheels & the Blizzak DM-V1's. Thanks Russ
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 77
From: Central Florida
Keeping gas in the tank is a good one! I've been caught off guard and almost ran out of gas. That time I could see the gas station from the Day Ryan but traffic was at a standstill. It took an hour to get off the free way, then another hour waiting in line for gas. I was really cold out & I had to keep shutting the truck off to save gas. Lesson learned never leave home with less than a 1/4 tank and if snow is coming fill it up.
We get a lot of salt here. We joke that we get 2 inches of salt for every inch of snow. Too bad Tire Rack doesn't add salt traction to their list of tests.
We get a lot of salt here. We joke that we get 2 inches of salt for every inch of snow. Too bad Tire Rack doesn't add salt traction to their list of tests.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
Keeping gas in the tank is a good one! I've been caught off guard and almost ran out of gas. That time I could see the gas station from the Day Ryan but traffic was at a standstill. It took an hour to get off the free way, then another hour waiting in line for gas. I was really cold out & I had to keep shutting the truck off to save gas. Lesson learned never leave home with less than a 1/4 tank and if snow is coming fill it up.
We get a lot of salt here. We joke that we get 2 inches of salt for every inch of snow. Too bad Tire Rack doesn't add salt traction to their list of tests.
We get a lot of salt here. We joke that we get 2 inches of salt for every inch of snow. Too bad Tire Rack doesn't add salt traction to their list of tests.
The Dan Ryan is always a stand still...lol
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 790
Likes: 3
From: Ontario, OH
Get yourself a couple of 80Lb bags of play sand, put 'em in a tub, and secure the tub so it can't slide around.
You don't indicate where in NC you lived, however, OH like NC periodically gets black ice (especially on the overpasses).
Regarding engine/block heaters ... As long as you've routinely maintained your vehicle they're not necessary.
SLOW DOWN, keep it between the barriers and shiny side up.
And when driving back to NC in the winter, put as much distance as possible between you and the FL drivers (especially in the mountains).
*20 years experience driving back-and-forth between NC and MI.
------------------------------
-click- the pic'
Goth 150
< This space intentionally -blank- >
You don't indicate where in NC you lived, however, OH like NC periodically gets black ice (especially on the overpasses).
Regarding engine/block heaters ... As long as you've routinely maintained your vehicle they're not necessary.
SLOW DOWN, keep it between the barriers and shiny side up.
And when driving back to NC in the winter, put as much distance as possible between you and the FL drivers (especially in the mountains).
*20 years experience driving back-and-forth between NC and MI.
-click- the pic'
Goth 150
< This space intentionally -blank- >
I could literally quote every single reply in this thread. I've lived in Ohio my entire life. First about 20 minutes north of Columbus and now in the Canton area where the snow is a bit more intense. I've driven in it with FWD cars, 2WD trucks, SUVs and now the F150. The biggest tip is SLOW DOWN. You won't be going anywhere fast when someone is pulling you out of a ditch so just plan ahead and give yourself extra time.
Other good tips:
- Check your fluids and check them regularly.
- Stay up to date on scheduled maintenance and don't let it run over schedule.
- Keep another jug of windshield washer fluid in the truck. You'll use it up more than you think and you're SOL when it's out and you're following vehicles kicking salt water onto your windshield.
- Keep tires inflated properly.
- Buy a good snow scrapper. You'll be happy you did when we get ice, then snow, then more ice on top.
- Grab somewhere between 200-300 pounds of sand, or if you're like me, topsoil (so I can use it in the spring) and set it over the axels. That will help with reaction and that weight won't kill MPGs.
Regarding rust protection, washing the truck weekly/bi-weekly is a great idea. Salt is the enemy and you're about to battle for the next 4-5 months. Make sure to wash out the underbody and wheel wells good. Another option is to get the underbody oil sprayed. They'll coat everything in bar chain oil which repels moisture and does a great job keeping away rust. I've done it on vehicles and they always look great even after a few winters. You can also have the interior door panels and such sprayed to stop corrosion from the inside out. That's your call on if that makes sense. I've done and not done both. Not sure if it did anything more than give piece of mind.
Snow is no big deal if you're just patient. Other drivers are sometimes questionable in bad weather, so another good tip is to just keep your eyes peeled and be aware of others.
Happy sledding and welcome to the Buckeye State!
Other good tips:
- Check your fluids and check them regularly.
- Stay up to date on scheduled maintenance and don't let it run over schedule.
- Keep another jug of windshield washer fluid in the truck. You'll use it up more than you think and you're SOL when it's out and you're following vehicles kicking salt water onto your windshield.
- Keep tires inflated properly.
- Buy a good snow scrapper. You'll be happy you did when we get ice, then snow, then more ice on top.
- Grab somewhere between 200-300 pounds of sand, or if you're like me, topsoil (so I can use it in the spring) and set it over the axels. That will help with reaction and that weight won't kill MPGs.
Regarding rust protection, washing the truck weekly/bi-weekly is a great idea. Salt is the enemy and you're about to battle for the next 4-5 months. Make sure to wash out the underbody and wheel wells good. Another option is to get the underbody oil sprayed. They'll coat everything in bar chain oil which repels moisture and does a great job keeping away rust. I've done it on vehicles and they always look great even after a few winters. You can also have the interior door panels and such sprayed to stop corrosion from the inside out. That's your call on if that makes sense. I've done and not done both. Not sure if it did anything more than give piece of mind.
Snow is no big deal if you're just patient. Other drivers are sometimes questionable in bad weather, so another good tip is to just keep your eyes peeled and be aware of others.
Happy sledding and welcome to the Buckeye State!
Depending on how my truck starts tomorrow I might be in the market for a new battery. She was definitely a little slow starting this morning, and if she's as bad or worse tomorrow i can't imaging it getting any better as winter progresses.
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Exactly. 4x4 will help you go...but it sure as hell doesn't help you stop.
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