Prepping Car for Cold Weather (Northern Ontario) - Comments/Suggestions

[tcartwri]

It's the same climate as Ottawa, so....

Studs are not allowed.
Real snow tires on all fours are recommended.
Block heater... not really needed.
Battery... should be newer, but not a game killer. Battery warmer... not needed.
50% antifreeze is fine.
Windshield washer fluid should be dumped and refilled with -40 rated.
Always carry jumper cables. Good jumper cables.
Hondas are very capable in cold weather. They just do not produce alot of heat for the humans inside.

It's just not that far north.

 

[nybirdman]

You have all the bases covered.You may want to purchased snow tires and rims,switch out when it warms back up.We purchase all wheel drive and four wheel drive but you can get buy with front drive and dedicated snow tires.When extremely cold let your vehicle warm before driving.

 

[buickanddeere]

Keep a roll over paper towel and Windex in the vehicle. Every time some slob uses their dirty oily hand to wipe fog from the inside of the windshield . Where ever touched is the first place to fog and the last place to clear.

 

[3930dave]

You probably don't have to go to 70% antifreeze, but I personally wouldn't stay at 50/50, as that is only -37c. Definitely don't exceed 70%, as that can create other issues.

I run 60% AF, which should test around -52C. Sounds like you are already on the same page.... a few dollars extra of AF is cheap insurance. Weather patterns have gotten stranger the last few years, and a slightly higher AF ratio also means you have more anti-corrosion additives present.

Short tripping a car in Canuck type cold can be brutal on oil - some cars are more prone to condensation/sludge under these conditions than others. Shows up as milky white sludge inside the oil fill cap. So, EFI will usually start the car when it's cold, but using the block heater in conjunction with short winter trips really helps the motor oil out. The goal is to get the motor hot enough to prevent the water condensation from accumulating in the oil system.

Specific studs are legal in Northern ON (and I wished to heck I could use 'em in tropical Southern ON), but you can sort that out up here if you want to go that route.

Frequently Asked Questions: Vehicles

Who can use studded tires?

Northern residents living north of and including Parry Sound and Nipissing Districts can now use studded tires on their vehicles.
When can I use my studded tires?

Northern Ontario residents can use studded tires with lightweight studs, anywhere in Ontario, from October 1 to April 30 inclusive. Using illegal studs, driving outside the legal time period, and Southern Ontario residents using studs on their vehicles can result in fines of up to $1,000.

If you are getting close to needing the transmission fluid changed, I'd do it too.

I picked up some of these Zippo Hand Warmers this Fall. A lot of people store them in a HD zip lock bag - cuts down on long term fuel evaporation, and also allows you to light it, run it for an hour or 2, then stick it back in the bag so that it is starved of air and stops burning.

Zippo - Hand Warmer (Style #40306-Z)

I paid about $15 USD from an Ebayer.

Edit - also get a good quality silicone spray (I use a silicone/teflon Dupont one, from Lowes) and spray ALL the rubber seals - doors, hood, trunk. Goes a long way towards preventing doors etc freezing shut, and helps preserve the seals.

Rgds, D.

 

[Chef Pa]

Thanks all, appreciate the info. Several things I hadn't really considered yet. Going to suck up and get the snow tires now rather than later also. The tires I just put on can spend the winter in Ohio with me, where it's normally somewhere north of freezing, or at least not too far below... Also going to go to a 60% mix on antifreeze, block heater and silicone on gaskets. Also talked to a couple dealers and they said battery warmers may help, but most just do the block heater. Also hadn't thought about the fogged up windows, but good point. They fog up pretty good in OH, so imagine more so up north.

Another question on tires. Mount/balance is in the $40-50 range. First round is on the dealer I just bought tires from, because I'm such a great guy After that I'll be out $50+ per change or $100/yr. Seems practical to me to at least look at another set of wheels - suggestions appreciated. This car has TPMS (pressure monitoring) also, and no idea how that applies to non-OEM wheels?

 

[Bilko]

I have summer and winter tire sets for both of our cars. I figured my time and the fees to swap tires in the spring and fall didn't make sense. So I just purchased steel rims to mount the snow tires on. Just make sure you check around to find the best price for the wheels. I am a firm believer in snow tires and my wife didn't want to spend the money. But after driving a couple winters here in Michigan on true snow tires she has seen the light. I believe you can purchase the low tire sensors to add to the new wheels.

 

[dave1949]

http://www.tirerack.com/

I bought a set of four mounted and balanced snow tires for our Honda Civic from these folks. The wheels may not be compatible with your current wheel covers, but there are replacements at a reasonable cost if that matters to you.

Good service, good price, shipped UPS ready to bolt on.

They have good snow tire reviews too.

 

[3930dave]

Thanks all, appreciate the info. Several things I hadn't really considered yet. Going to suck up and get the snow tires now rather than later also. The tires I just put on can spend the winter in Ohio with me, where it's normally somewhere north of freezing, or at least not too far below... Also going to go to a 60% mix on antifreeze, block heater and silicone on gaskets. Also talked to a couple dealers and they said battery warmers may help, but most just do the block heater. Also hadn't thought about the fogged up windows, but good point. They fog up pretty good in OH, so imagine more so up north.

Another question on tires. Mount/balance is in the $40-50 range. First round is on the dealer I just bought tires from, because I'm such a great guy After that I'll be out $50+ per change or $100/yr. Seems practical to me to at least look at another set of wheels - suggestions appreciated. This car has TPMS (pressure monitoring) also, and no idea how that applies to non-OEM wheels?

Start with the dealer - up here at least, many of the dealers have competive prices on steel replacement wheels - and they usually fit the best and better steel is spec'd. In after market wheels, I prefer hub-centric fits (like OE), to Universal Fit - a tire shop should understand those terms. On a new vehicle like that, I'd stick with extra OE TPMS sensors, unless they are crazy expensive.

If you want a quick price comparison, try tirerack.com. I haven't used them, but people I know have been happy with their service.

Won't take much driving to convince anybody..... you'll really appreciate those new snow tires.

Rgds, D.

 

[SPIKER]

Remember if you have never used studded tires they are MUCH noisier and have actually a lot less grip when there is no ICE/SNOW on the road. In fact they do very little for SNOW so for most cases not really required. Get a couple of the extra emergency blankets to put in the emergency kit. Couple Flares should be in the kit to. To add I would look at one or two of the play sand bags that are DRY and stick in the trunk. In case you get on some ice the sand can be tossed under wheels to get out of s stuck spot on many cases. Toss in a few candy bars/power bars for food...

When up there try and keep tank topped off as much as you can, never get much below half tank while doing little jaunts on road as condensation in the fuel can stop ya faster than most anything else. Get and keep a few of the fuel HEAT additives (gas dryer) and pour some thru every couple tanks, if filling up only 1 time a month suggest use one per tank.

Chains are actually better for traction but are pain in butt to put on and only have them on when absolutely needed & keep tight otherwise will wear sidewalls.

Mark

 

[nybirdman]

If you go the new snow tires/rims route...forget the TPMS sensors...expensive plus the dealer has to reset every time you change rims or twice a year.If the light bothers you...a small piece of black tape will hide it.Remember for years we didn't have them and got along alright.Keeping the fuel tank full was a good suggestion,it's something I do automatic.