cold weather
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cold weather
I need to store my truck outside and it's -20 or less at night. Are there any suggestions on how to get it ready? I know the antifreeze/water ratio needs to be right. Can anyone think of anything else? Thanks.
Lead Driver
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From: Kalispell, MT
Originally Posted by 52merc
Make sure the gas tank is full - this will minimize condensation in the tank.
Run it for a bit after adding the stabilizer so it gets in the lines and into the carb as well.
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From: Adams,CO.
Originally Posted by Fomoko1
Actually I`ve heard that warm storage will drain a battery quicker but if it`s run down it will freeze and split the case.
Newbldr, why not just drain the rad/block?? If not, test the AF for sure to verify the protection value.
Jon
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
If draining the cooling system be sure to drain the block as well as the rad.
Just draining the rad won`t completely drain the block. Be sure the antifreeze is good enough.
Just draining the rad won`t completely drain the block. Be sure the antifreeze is good enough.
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I'll have the Roast Duck
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From: Northshore, MN
In addition to what's been already said, I roll my tires over blocks of old plywood so that come Springtime, they don't sink in and rut up the yard.
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From: Hacienda Heights, CA
I'd suggest that you move to Florida or So Cal!!!!! Sorry....... From my NY experiences, I'd put in pure antifreeze, fill up the tank and add some "stabil" and some dry gas, and then if it runs start it once a week, or whenever you expect it to get really cold. If it doesn't run, take the battery out.
Good luck....hey my dad used to put a blanket on his car's engine while it was still warm......sounds whacky to me, but his ol' Ford always started!!!
Good luck....hey my dad used to put a blanket on his car's engine while it was still warm......sounds whacky to me, but his ol' Ford always started!!!
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From: Adams,CO.
Originally Posted by jreilly57
I'd suggest that you move to Florida or So Cal!!!!! Sorry....... From my NY experiences, I'd put in pure antifreeze, fill up the tank and add some "stabil" and some dry gas, and then if it runs start it once a week, or whenever you expect it to get really cold. If it doesn't run, take the battery out.
Good luck....hey my dad used to put a blanket on his car's engine while it was still warm......sounds whacky to me, but his ol' Ford always started!!!
Good luck....hey my dad used to put a blanket on his car's engine while it was still warm......sounds whacky to me, but his ol' Ford always started!!!
The blanket thing DOES work and is still in use here, and the move to CA or FL is something I would like to do.
Jon
Last edited by CIAF; Jan 14, 2008 at 10:38 PM.
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From: Alaska
A timely topic as it is now a brisk -40* up here if Fairbanks, AK. FYI, the best mixture for freeze protection with ethylene glycol is 60/40. See http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF6/680.html for a good article on what CIAF is talking about, with a graph. Propylene glycol (RV antifreeze), however, is best at 100%.
Can't say I've ever tried the blanket trick, just plugged the car in. I would guess that 95% of the cars up here have plug ins and all good employers supply power to their employees (Wal-Mart, McD's and even the student parking lots at the high schools). My truck has a glued on pad on the oil pan, transmission pan and a heated freeze plug, sucks 750 watts in all.
Anyway, thought you'd all like to hear what us northerners do in the cold, it's somewhat on topic... Also trying to scare you people off from moving up, getting too crowded up here as it is.
Can't say I've ever tried the blanket trick, just plugged the car in. I would guess that 95% of the cars up here have plug ins and all good employers supply power to their employees (Wal-Mart, McD's and even the student parking lots at the high schools). My truck has a glued on pad on the oil pan, transmission pan and a heated freeze plug, sucks 750 watts in all.
Anyway, thought you'd all like to hear what us northerners do in the cold, it's somewhat on topic... Also trying to scare you people off from moving up, getting too crowded up here as it is.
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Well, you don't have to worry about me and the fam' moving to AK. I've never lived as far north as I am now. I'm a GA guy. Even spend time in AZ. I just don't do the cold weather thing. It's not me.
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From: Adams,CO.
Thank you Alaskan. Sometimes I have all this trivial knowledge in my head but no solid data in front of me at times. Since you were so forthcoming with this important data, I hereby promise to never move to Alaska. LOL, Love to take a cruise to Denali on Ship/Train, but the ol lungs are no match. Thanks again.
Jon
Jon