2G how to prepare a dsm for its first winter

[2gEclips3]

This thread goes to the folks who drive their dsm's during winter. I have no car to use this winter, and i starting to think i can use my dsm for it, but, its never been driven in the winter period before... at the moment, this seems to be the only solution for me, because i dont have the possibility to buy another car yet.

so what im curious about, how do i prepare my car the best way for winter driving?

to make things worse, im from norway, and winter here, is like arctic in the states, more like alaska maybe, expect the roads are well plowen

 

[Cougar232]

Some monster tires like a Blizzak or All 4 studded tires. Also see if you can get underbody coated/rubberized to protect from salt/snow/rust. Good mix of Antifreeze coolant and check heat and any other maintenance items before the cold hits. Turbo FWD is hard to get traction if you have power levels above stock too.

 

[Burst]

Norway craigslist find a beater beats getting undercoating and tires

 

[oren hughbanks]

How cold are we talking? I would certainly look into a block heater too, I'm sure someone makes a universal kit. The most important thing is to make sure your cooling system is up to it and have good coolant in there.

Make sure your battery is good too. I wouldn't think it would be too hard to pop off your rims and tires and use some spray can rubber liner and coat everything again. Remember watching this show on discovery channel when a guy couldn't get his snow mobile started in -40 weather. He put a little tent over it with a tarp and he stuffed a kerosene heater in the end and warmed everything up. You will want to go to thinner gear oils and engine oil too.

 

[2gEclips3]

in my area it aint that cold actually, but its reported that it will be a cold winter, and the coldest winter iv'e experienced, is -35 celsius. they dont use much salt on our roads either, so it tends to be some ice under the snow covered road. iv'e alrdy made my choice on tires, most likely nokian tires from finland (190 studs), and must do some undercoating of some sort, just need to figure out where. atm i use a 0-30w (or is it 0w-30) engine oil, and im going to fix new oil for my gear and engine. ty for tips, but i dont think i need to make a tent for my car, i dont live in a cave and ride polar bears, even tough some american thinks so

 

[ervin00]

Well growing up in Sweden and having -15 Celsius weather almost all winter was not a big deal just how it is.
If you have a garage then nothing is really needed except for good coolant, good tires and a lighter weight oil.
If you don't have a garage then in addition you also need a water heater for your coolant that you can find everywhere in Scandinavia as it will keep your coolant from freezing overnight. Not to mention when you start the car up your heater works instantly and if you can get a remote start then you can start it up 10 min before you leave and that way your windows have defrosted so no need for scraping. Just suggestions!!!!!

 

[2gEclips3]

iv'e been driving for several winters before, so i know the basics. im only asking spesificly about how the dsm's endures this time of season, its still a car but every car handles differently, thats all

 

[luv2rallye]

Here in Minnesota our winters are typically -15C and occasionally go to -30C for a few days. I drive my DSM year round but keep it in a garage so I have no problems starting there. When leaving the car outside at work, an extra heavy duty battery does it. I always carry jumper cables and a windshield snow brush and ice scraper. I have 4 Nokian Hakapellita snow tires (get the narrowest ones you can) on steel wheels for winter without which, the car just slides all over the place (studs are not allowed here however). A really good tip is to put cardboard between the radiator and condensor covering up 1/2 to 3/4 of it - otherwise you will not get heat inside. Also saves you from having to change the thermostat for the cold season. Also spray your door and truck key locks with some lock de-icer before they freeze up. I've been doing these things for 45 years with all my cars and great success. An extra 70 lb sandbag in the rear hatch for weight also helps handling in the snow immensely. Also have a blanket, tire gauge, first aid kit, tow strap, flashlight, basic tools, x-bar lug wrench, full size spare (optional) on board.