This is for those who live in a crazy cold climate during the winter.

Now here is my specialty. My family owned a radiator shop and I basically grew up in it. First, check your anti-freeze. Most anti-freezes are an ethylene glycol based fluid with low freezing and high boiling points when mixed with water. We used to recycle old antifreeze in this big distilling machine called "Old Ethyl". (I didn’t get it when I was a kid). I know we drive Nissans but GM vehicles use a particular anti-freeze with a 100,000-mile or 10-year rating. I say this because (it's red in color) it shouldn't be mixed with other anti-freezes.
Check the level, pH and concentration of the cooling system every time the vehicle is serviced. A mixture of 50% anti-freeze and 50% water(it is best to use distilled water because of the calcium and lime deposites you can get inside your radiator when it evaporates) will protect down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit; do not exceed 70% anti-freeze or overheating can occur.
If you didn't change it last winter, do it now. The recommended lifetime is two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. Even if the fluid looks relatively fresh, anti-freezes include chemicals that lubricate water pumps and inhibit engine corrosion. These chemicals lose their punch at the end of the recommended time.
BEST ANTFREEZE IMO

And a side note for all the dog lovers: A TEASPOON OF ANTIFREEZE WILL KILL YOUR BEST FRIEND!!! If you change it yourself, make your dog go inside or something while you drain and CAPTURE your old antifreeze.
If your buddy does or if you even suspect he lapped up some of the sweet smelling juice, Go get a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and force it down its throat. (I know it sounds crazy) it will make your pup puke almost instantly and get the suicidal kool-aid out of its system. Then take it to a vet. Its not a pretty site to watch a dog die from anti freeze poisoning.

Now the neighboring business had an alternator shop so I soaked up some knowledge from them as well. Have the battery and alternator tested. A weak battery or alternator may get you by in the summer, but they will not handle cold weather when you need extra amps to start a cold engine.THESE ARE THE BEST BATTERIES IMO. I used these batteries when I had my 1961 Studebaker Lark VI and I forgot to strap it down and I took a real hard turn and the battery fell into the engine fan! I didnt leak at all. I plastered bondo all over it to cover the hole up and used it until I got rid of the car.
Clean the top of the battery with a solution of baking soda and water. Having clean and tight connections, no corrosion, and proper fluid levels are a necessity. I know most of us clean under the hood all the time anyways because of the pretty intakes and custom painted manifold covers. Our alternators are are almost hidden but you need to check and see if there is any mud or oil/dirt in on or around the terminals.

I used to work at a tire shop but that really doesn’t qualify me for much. Make sure your tires are serviceable. The tread depth indicators on your tires do not mean you have good tires. Check all the way around them for gashes or missing chunks of rubber. It would be best if you are way up North or where it snows a lot to go and get maybe just two snow tires. Now some states dictate the use of snow tires and or snow chains. Check with you local DOT. Heres a pretty set of tires for you These tires are a little smaller than the Offroad tires but they are studdable.

Do you need special snow windshield blades on your vehicle? These blades can function well under extreme cold and snowy conditions. Be sure your windshield wipers function properly and wipe cleanly. Heres a set of winter wipers for you.. Be sure your windshield washer fluid is appropriate for cold weather, is topped up and sprays properly. Go ahead and get some Prestone windshield wiper fluid for the washer tank.




Carry emergency gear: Ice scraper, spare bottle of washer fluid, boots, gloves, flares, blankets, tire chains, flashlight with spare batteries, a small shovel, some sand or kitty litter for traction. It is also a good idea to keep some snacks handy, such as energy bars in your glove box. I always keep 2 MREs with me at all times. MEALS READY TO EAT


Oh and one more thing. For those that did the little mod by taking off the small hose that pumps coolant through the throttle body, you should put that back on before too long.

I hope this helps somebody.

Great post! Thanks.

yea a great post trust me im from Ny i know all about the winter

Good info there DITM!!!

Don't have to do a lot of that here in CenTex, though!!!

David

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hmm, i live in michigan... should i change it ive had it since 04 soooooooo im not sure. i would like to do that but it gets expensive ya kno...

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" I GOT CHU GOOD ! "

Change what?

I've just finished winterizing mine. Changed out the windshield sun shield.
Muahahahahahahah

Something I'd add to that winter package is a tall fiberglass whip with an international orange pennant flag on it.

If forced off the road or to the side and they are doing a lot of snow plowing you can tape this, or use wire ties, to the side mirror. By having it stick up into the air, the visibility of your truck will be increased, especially if heavily covered with snow.

As an additional item to keep on hand, have a few bottles of water in the truck. There are also chemical hand warmers and cheap stoves that burn chemical pellets. These items don't take up much space and can increase your survival chances immensely in severe conditions.

We all say it can't happen to us, but I'm sure you've read the same stories I have about someone being missing for days and later found down a ravine or big ditch, etc.

Red

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

Winter, what's that? Isn't that when the temps drop waaaaaaay down into the 70's and even <gasp!!> the upper 60's??

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steves: I prefer to fantasize about women with pronounceable (to me) names.

Squid: Like "Ho"?
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