Winter is coming... What do you do?

*This thread is only for members who live where there is a winter. Nobody wants to hear SoCal people brag about them only having to remove the sunscreen lotion from the console*

Winter is here in the Northwest with some light snow and temps down to the teens a couple of days ago.

Every year, I have a list of preps for my vehicle that I do.

* Pack the snow brush/scraper
* Fill the windshield washer reservoir with Rain-X de-icer fluid.
* Install the emergency amber light bar set-up
* Pack the extreme weather gloves and hats
* Ensure recovery equipment is in good condition and easily accessible.
* install new wiper blades that are intended for winter use.
* Replace the battery if it's weak or about due.
* Ensure there is potable water in the cab as well as emergency food.
* Lower tire pressures to maximize traction on snow/ice.

I don't run snow tires since my Goodyear Ultra-Terrains are amazing on ice and in the snow.

Anybody do anything else in preparation for winter driving?

 

I bought some recovery gear: kinetic rope and traction mats and tossed them into the truck so in case I get stuck in a soggy goose hunting field I can get out. Doesn't happen too often but when it does. it's a pain to go get the farmer and have him get his tractor to pull you out.

 

I bought a kinetic rope and soft shackles earlier this year after watching dozens of videos of this guy and his crew use them...

 

This is a pretty good list

The only thing I would add would be to do some form of lanolin undercoating. Pick your poison between fluid film, wool wax, surface shield, etc. You can use the aerosol cans of ya like, or get yourself a spray gun to attach to your compressor and go big. I used the aerosol cans in the past, this is my first year using a spray gun. Wayyyyyy easier and substantially less time consuming

 

No salt out here. I lived in Iowa for a few years and know how awful salt is on vehicles. Underside of my pickup still looks like new...

 

Not a huge fan of winter, but I am kind of looking forward to trying out my new Falken Wildpeaks!

I am pretty simple, I just pack the snow brush, usually I forget it until I learn my lesson at least once not having it. Thankfully at my work we can park in a parking garage if we want to and I park in my home garage.

What do you lower your tire pressure too? Also have you noticed the RainX fading the black plastic that is at the bottom of the winshield? I have been using that stuff for about a year, maybe more and just noticed it. I am not sure if it's just aging and sun or if it's related to the washer fluid.

I am a risk taker, I don't pack anything else... Just hope for the best, but I also don't live in a rural area. Our temps are just finally dropping into the 30s at night, but the days are still pretty warm in the 50s and up to 70s last week!

-T

 

Wisconsin here and I don’t pack anything either. Used to driving in it. I do live in a rural area but if I have a major issue, I have a phone. Other than a scraper, I keep an extra jacket, gloves and hat in the truck. Keeping food in a vehicle is a great way to get mice.

 

* ensure dikfer is packed and ready.

 

This will be my first winter with the Tundra, so not sure about tire pressures. With my 4Runner, I went from 42psi to 38psi. Tundra is at 45psi, so might go to 40psi. Used the Rain-X for years and never noticed it doing anything negative...

 

All Rain X did for me was plug the wiper lines. I’ll never put that crap in my truck again. Google it. Lots of people have had the same issue.

 

Weird. Never had an issue. I do remember that when I had my 2014 Ram 1500 that some folks were reporting faulty reservoir level alarms on the forum, but I never had an issue.

 

Yup on above, but I do use Snow tires, so they will go on when necessary.

Yearly NHOIL appointment to treat the undercarriage.

I try and squeeze in an oil change right before it start to get cold and crappy.

Drop the spare tire down, clean , wax up the rim, check tire psi and apply something to the rubber, and to make sure the tire winch is working.

 

In addition to what I normally keep in the truck:
Some winter Kinco’s (gloves, for the uncultured), ice scraper/snow brush, shovel, axe/hatchet. Blanket, old towel (goes with the other recovery gear), 2 clif bars, 2 bottles of water which are consumed and replaced on the 15th and 30th of the month (staggered 1 at a time). And depending on the occasion I’ll toss a pair of knee-high muck boots somewhere if I need to not wreck a pair of pants.

 

Sandbags in the bed for steroidal traction... and a lubed up 4Wd switch...

 

Pretty much the same as mentioned. I don't have recovery gear since I live in the burbs. I probably wouldn't even trust the person that I'm offering to help and pull out.

I just don't add everything all at once, I add as I go as I need it. Next year after we build in a rural area, I'll have a much more significant drive for work, I'll then begin to add recovery gear and more items.

I have a toddler so I make sure there's adequate supplies for her as well. I.E. endless supply of snacks and a blanket.

 

We get a little winter here on the NW tip of the WV/VA border but it's a rare storm that's worthy of mention.

I typically have spare gloves, a moving blanket, and a snatch strap in the truck all year around. The only thing I add for winter is a windshield scraper. In the garage I have tire chains for both the truck and the tractor for those rare storms that warrant special consideration and have been known to throw in a shovel and other supplies if I'm intentionally headed out into a mess. I don't do anything special maintenance wise. If something needs attention it gets it regardless of the time of year. I just make sure fluid levels are good and the tank is full when bad weather is in the forecast.

 

Snowing on my way in to work this morning and we are supposed to get 2” today. ☹️

 

My truck is always ready for winter since summer doesn’t last but a few months where I live. We got a foot or so in town over weekend with maybe 16-18” high on the mtn

 

Up in the metrowest area of MA (just west of Boston), we get all forms of winter. Both vehicles get the same treatment.

Like others already mentioned, I get a lot of maintenance done before the snow flies, including a wax or coating, oil change, rotations, etc. I tend to empty everything out of the bed except an extension handle and the snow joe, a brush, and a pair of gloves. Always have 3-4 gallons of washer fluid on hand and a fresh set of wipers.

With my wife being essential staff in the city and her commute being on major roadways with great cell coverage, we pack lightly. I'm more focused on the homestead and being able to get in/out as required - snow blower maintenance, roof rakes, shovels, boiler service, chimney swept, wood stacked, property cleared of obstacles, etc.

 

Pull the fuse on the AMP steps and move on as usual.

 

I just put tire chains, jumper cables and a tow strap on the backseat floor, plus I filled up on winter windshield cleaner.

 

wash, wax, get those leaves out of the spot in the front fender behind that rubber flap in front of the front doors, touch up fluid film, toss the snow brush in the back. Verify I have my tow traps (never used them), Check tire tread depth, look at brake pad remaining.

My ncco jump box comes out of the boat when it goes into storage, charge it, and goes into the truck. Turn the heat on in the garage to 50° once temps dip below freezing at night for more than a few days in a row.

 

I air down my tires, but mainly because it is not towing season anymore. My emergency equipment doesn’t change by the season other than tire chains, so those get tossed in the back.

Otherwise I don’t do anything else. Oil, washer fluids, wipers and other related items get replaced/filled as needed, not on a seasonal clock.

 

Like others.... Wash, polish and wax. Undercarriage gets pressure washed, touched up and hosed down with WD-40, grease all zirks, etc. Not looking forward to this....

 

I review my defensive driving book, brush up on my swear words & obscene gestures, & I pack a bottle crown royal for medicinal purposes.

 

polished and ready to go

Also completed

Rear fog lights
Oil change to winter weight
New plugs
New battery with voltage booster installed and trickle charger leads.
Flushed the brake fluid
Fresh wiper blades with Rain-X orange fluid
Re-sealed the roof rack.
Sprayed down the leaf packs with wax based chain lube.

 

What do you run your tires at in the winter? I run at 36psi, but always like to hear what others are doing.

 

I run 42-45 in the summer when I am doing a lot of towing. Air down to 35 in the winter for better wet traction and ride quality.

Side note - I am running LT tires, not the stock rubber.

 

Make sure TC is always off

 

* pack GoPro or cellphone camera in the event you come across some fresh powder in a curbless parking lot