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Prepping for cold weather

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by Runway, Feb 13, 2021.

  1. Feb 13, 2021 at 9:22 AM
    #1
    Runway

    Runway [OP] New Member

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    This will probably turn into a joke thread, but what are the southern guys doing to get ready for our annual wintry blast. My 1960’s garage can’t be used for the Tundra CrewMax, so it will be outside. Forecasters say ice, snow, and freezing temps for a couple days. I have a somewhat decent wax job on, but am contemplating washing and waxing today even though it will rain tomorrow. What say the brain trust here? I know our northern friends deal with this a lot. Any comments? Door is open.
     
    YardBird and NUDRAT like this.
  2. Feb 13, 2021 at 9:45 AM
    #2
    PlatinumPro

    PlatinumPro New Member

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    it was -58 F here in mid-western Canada the other day and all I did was run it for a few mins before heading out. Tell me in Texas how much more you're going to need to prepare? lol
     
  3. Feb 13, 2021 at 10:16 AM
    #3
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    I'm staying a lot farther north than you and I did this to prepare for winter...:burp:
     
  4. Feb 13, 2021 at 11:04 AM
    #4
    NUDRAT

    NUDRAT 6 lug life

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    You should silicone your door gaskets so they don't freeze to the door & tear when you open it.
    Make sure your coolant is topped off.
    Might add some air to the tires, in the cold they'll read lower & could trigger TPMS warning if you have the system.
     
  5. Feb 13, 2021 at 1:52 PM
    #5
    Runway

    Runway [OP] New Member

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    I don’t know how you do it I have to get my heavy coat out when it hits the 50’s! One thing about a freeze like this, we won’t have as many mosquitoes to shoot at with our shot guns.
     
  6. Feb 13, 2021 at 2:20 PM
    #6
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    I always keep a can of Prestone de-icing spray in the truck, stuff works great if your windows have ice/frost on them.
     
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  7. Feb 13, 2021 at 2:30 PM
    #7
    Lovetrucks

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    I would say let your truck warm up a little and wash and wax when it gets warmer . That will get all the crap off it when the “winter” is over for you .
     
  8. Feb 13, 2021 at 2:36 PM
    #8
    smokey0810

    smokey0810 New Member

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    I wouldn’t be concerned about a wash and wax right now, especially with today’s paint technology. I’d fill the tank with gas, make sure fluids are good, battery is in working order and u have ice scraper/window deicer handy. I’ve used hot water to defrost the door handles to our Mini Cooper in the past. Otherwise, just go out when necessary and keep warm.
     
  9. Feb 13, 2021 at 2:44 PM
    #9
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    Living in the South, the only thing I do to winterize my truck is apply Amsoil HD Metal Protectant underneath. Once the temps get to freezing, if there is a 1% chance of any kind of precipitation overnight, the salt trucks come out. It seems to happen once or twice a year.
     
    NUDRAT likes this.
  10. Feb 13, 2021 at 2:47 PM
    #10
    PlatinumPro

    PlatinumPro New Member

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    trust me... during those short stints the f-bomb becomes the most commonly used word. on a brighter note, dealing with cold helps us appreciate when it hits the 90's in the summer :)
     
  11. Feb 13, 2021 at 3:47 PM
    #11
    jrquist

    jrquist Canon Shooter

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    -36 here this morning. The garage was a warm -8. It has been around -20 every morning this week with highs around 0. Been driving the Tundra because of the remote start and the ability to let it warm up before I get out of work. Keep the tank filled and run some red Heet to avoid freezing the gas lines. No other brands but Heet. Tried Splash and froze my lines on the 4 Runner so I dumped in Heet and it fired right up.
     
    NUDRAT likes this.
  12. Feb 15, 2021 at 5:26 AM
    #12
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

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    So you aren’t capable of seeing the difference between your situation vs someone who doesn’t have any experience with this? It’s why he asked for advice.

    Maybe we can offer a trade: you give winter advice, and we’ll help you with your social skills.
     
    PomDad, glowblue and Lake.Life24 like this.
  13. Feb 15, 2021 at 5:35 AM
    #13
    smokey0810

    smokey0810 New Member

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    I know my power steering system isn’t liking -9
     
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  14. Feb 15, 2021 at 5:36 AM
    #14
    Lake.Life24

    Lake.Life24 New Member

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    In the Northeast here! Best advice for driving around is not to make short quick trips. Let the truck run and when its not icy get it up to 60mph for a minimum of 20mins. Also if it is snowing make sure to put some weight in the truck bed. This will help tremendously with traction. I put about 350-400 of cement bags in my truck.

    As for the wax job, I would only wash it if you know it will dry before the temps get to freezing. If you can't just wait until the storm passes to wash it and you'll be fine. My black truck looks gray now from just driving around on the weekends. I will give it a bath probably sometime next week.
     
  15. Feb 15, 2021 at 7:54 AM
    #15
    PlatinumPro

    PlatinumPro New Member

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    geez man... chill out, I was just playing around a little.
     
  16. Feb 15, 2021 at 8:19 AM
    #16
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    Throw another log on the fire and call in sick?
     
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  17. Feb 15, 2021 at 8:21 AM
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    Festerw

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    Honestly don't worry about it. It's only going to be cold for a few days. Wash it once it warms up and you'll be fine.
     
  18. Feb 15, 2021 at 6:51 PM
    #18
    smokey0810

    smokey0810 New Member

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    50s and 60s the end of the week here.
     
  19. Feb 15, 2021 at 7:24 PM
    #19
    Randy Morton

    Randy Morton Life takes its toll, please have exact change.

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    What kind of anti-freeze do you use at those temps? The stuff we get here is only good to around -40 F.
     
  20. Feb 15, 2021 at 7:53 PM
    #20
    smokey0810

    smokey0810 New Member

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    Probably just straight everclear at that temp...damn -58.
     
  21. Feb 16, 2021 at 5:55 AM
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    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    Probably uses a block heater and maybe a battery blanket. The vehicle also probably needs to be stored indoors with a heater. Also would probably have to keep it running at all times in those temps. This is all speculation on my part but it's what I would do. Crazy cold, I couldn't imagine what that feels like to breath.
     
  22. Feb 16, 2021 at 6:09 AM
    #22
    Lovetrucks

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    It hurts !
     
    Wallygator[QUOTED] likes this.
  23. Feb 16, 2021 at 6:21 AM
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    Skierdad

    Skierdad New Member

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    We are just ending 2 weeks of temps between -8 and as low as -31. We never got above zero until today (hopefully we will see it today anyways). I think just making sure your anti-freeze in the radiator is good is the only thing I would worry about. I do warm my truck up for 5-10 minutes before driving it. If you have a block heater, plug it in but I didn't at all over the last 2 weeks. No issues what so ever. Don't get too worried about it. If you can add weight to the back, that will help at stop lights.
     
  24. Feb 16, 2021 at 6:53 AM
    #24
    PlatinumPro

    PlatinumPro New Member

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    good question. i honestly haven't looked into it but am interested now as we use the same product year round and our summers get into the 90's.
    yea not my favourite day lol.
    we use that once we're out of the truck for the night ;)
    you're correct on the block heater... but incorrect on all the other hunches lol. For those wondering what we're talking about, a block heater is simply a heater that plugs into a 110v outlet that keeps the oil warm making the engine easier to turn over in cold temps.
    Otherwise the truck spends its life parked outside, turned off while its not driving somewhere :)
    it does take a few breaths to let the lungs get adjusted!
     
    Wallygator[QUOTED] likes this.
  25. Feb 16, 2021 at 7:05 AM
    #25
    MTRock

    MTRock 1889

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    Check your antifreeze, tire pressure, and give the battery a good charge. Wash it after it warms up.
     
  26. Feb 16, 2021 at 8:29 AM
    #26
    Runway

    Runway [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the good thoughts. My part of the country just doesn’t fare well in the cold. We have been out of power 2 days and the water is out of commission now. The truck is sitting in the sun (although is has warmed up to 16 degrees) and the snow and ice are melting off. It will soon become the power center for charging phones and iPads, our link to the world. The last wax job seems to be holding on fine, but when we get back to our seasonal temps, it will be time for a full blown wash, clay bar, wash, Iron-x, and probably another really good wax job. I’m don’t think I’m ready for ceramic yet.
     

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