Hot answers tagged winter
6
I plowed with a Chevy 1500 and a Ford F250. You could definitely feel the weight of the plow more on the smaller 1500 compared to the F250. The 1500 would squat quite a bit when the plow was lifted.
The plow (a Western brand) was professionally installed on both trucks, and the only issues we ever had were electrical with the plow controls, the same kind of ...
6
The new tyres would indeed be narrower and slightly taller - the first number is the width in mm, so the second tyre is 10mm (3/8") narrower than the first, and the second is the height as a percentage of the width, which works out at roughly 96mm and 103mm respectively. Just to mix things up even more, the third number is the wheel diameter in inches...
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6
Regular washing and waxing is your best bet. We kept our cars in one piece through the Rochester, NY winters with nothing more than this.
The wax provides a sacrificial protective coating for the painted parts of the body. You can apply wax to your wheels as well. As a bonus, the brake dust will be easier to wash off of a waxed wheel.
Then wash, wash, ...
5
I live in New England. It can snow anytime from Haloween until April 1st. Depending on the year we can get five or twenty-five significant storms a year. Most of the winter the average daytime temp is in the twenties, but can easily hit forty for a few days. Most roads are bare two days after a storm. Everyone I know that does use winter specific tires put ...
5
Wash off the salt whenever possible. Inspect the car regularly (especially in locations where salt and water can get trapped). Repair any noticable damage immediately (damaged paint, damaged undercoating, etc). Set aside some spare funds in the anticipation of such repairs.
My experience is that body panels don't rust, it's the strut towers, floor, and ...
4
As@ mac has stated a plow will fit and the truck will push snow. The primary considerations are how often and how long are you going to plow. The longer and more frequently you plow the more the suspension and driveline parts will be stressed. If you are just doing a few driveways you should have no problems. If you plan to plow commercially for long ...
4
Yes, the rubber has been compromized by ozone in the air and ultraviolet light even if stored indoors.That is why you will often see RV's with covers over the tires to extend the life of the tire.Strategic Safety reccomends useful life is 10 years from manufactureSome European manufacturers reccomnd six years on performance tires.Typically when these tires ...
3
Here's a diagram. It shows two batteries connected to each other and wires from each battery going to each respective car. What the diagram doesn't show is that those wires, "To Starter" --> "Ground" form a loop as well, and if you picture that, you will see that the path forms a full circle.
To be slightly more precise, the path forms two circles, like ...
2
Most newer vehicles don't come with block heaters installed, so unless you've had one installed it's fairly likely that there is no block heater if you can't find a cord.
Alternatively, you could examine the oil pan for a missing cord. If you purchased the car used the previous owner may have had one installed and broke or lost the cord. I had a 2001 Saturn ...
2
If you're getting enough moisture into the seal/door interface, the seals are already failing. It's time to replace them. However, if you want to hold it off for a little while, vaseline is fine. It'll slowly degrade the seals further, but well, they're already done for at this point...
Best thing to do is to use silicone lube on the seals occasionally ...
2
DXM's answer hits all the important points in great detail. To give you a quick answer to your specific questions at the end, though:
So what's actually happening when you start the dead car? Is it
drawing power from the good batter to start the car?
Remember, the live car is running. Its alternator is being driven by a functioning engine. When ...
2
Winter tyres are usually rated for use when ambient temperatures are below 45F, so if you are going above that you will shorten their lifespan.
You also need to realise that above that temperature they will not be as good at stopping you as normal tyres.
As long as you take these factors into account, you can certainly use them all winter.
2
Some of what your friends have told you is nonsense.
You will possibly have less chance of getting stuck in the winter in a RWD car, as RWD gives you more grip when trying to accelerate forwards (as weight moves rearward). Whenever I have had to rescue friends in FWD cars, I usually need to use reverse to get grip.
Additional set of winter tyres? Nope - ...
2
I think it depends on how bad the rust patches are. If it's just surface rust, I'd clean up the rust with a wire brush and some sand paper and treat the remaining rust with chemical rust remover or converter, then repaint the wheel.
If there is significantly deep rust on the rim that goes deep enough to warrant grinding out, I'd be a bit careful or would ...
2
One suggestion I would have is to allow your car to warm up before driving. Modern cars are eons better at this, but nothing short of a wreck is harder on a car than being driven when the engine's oil isn't up to temperature (and bearing clearances are off, etc.).
How long is up for debate. I believe the general consensus is at least a couple minutes.
...
2
I grew up in Finland, where winters are long and icy. Mostly drove RWD cars, but also, at times, owned FWD and AWD ones. If you look at all the nordic/scandinavian rally champions, they preferred front wheel drive, until the Audi Quattro changed rallying forever. But that is assuming you are a professional rally driver... :)
There is no clear answer - ...
2
Two-Stroke or Four? If four, check the oil. Check the general condition, e.g. check that the fuel lines are secure and in good condition. If it is water-cooled (I don't think they usually are?), check the coolant level and condition of radiator/hoses. Take the plug out, clean and re-gap. Empty out any old fuel and put new in (If the fuel is only 6 months old ...
2
The defrost setting (left most position on the right knob) should cycle the a/c and blow dried air onto the windshield. The a/c should dehumidify the air the result of which is less fog. The recirc function you are looking for is the two right most switch positions. This is not the selections you want for defogging. The humidity in the cabin will not be ...
1
It sounds like a belt to me. Check the tension on the belt you replaced and see if the pulley needs an adjustment. I imagine there's a slight variation in how well the rubber "sticks" to the pulleys when it's cold vs when it's hot, so it slips more when it's cold. Check all the other belts too. You could also start the car and go listen around the engine and ...
1
1) How troublesome is it to have RWD with above mentioned conditions?
2) What will be safer: RWD vs FWD on dry pavement, gravel, snow, ice?
3) What generally has better handling and traction during bad weather:
heavy rain, snow, ice?
With all do respect i have to disagree with Rory Alsop's asnwer. Please do the following:
a.) Look up ...
1
I guess it depends on where you live. I've driven mostly RWD, with some FWD and AWD. The only car I've ever gotten stuck in snow was FWD (when strong gusty winds blew me sideways off an icy road and into a snowbank). We can get sizeable amounts of snow some years here in Ohio, and even when driving around on Summer tires in the Winter I didn't ever get my ...
1
Nothing bad about all the things Nick C suggested, but for a simple push mower I think it's overkill, I'd just check the oil, top off the gas, and pull the cord! :-) If it sounds like it has a misfire, then next time around I'd check the plug(s). The plugs can go a very long time without maintenance unless they get damaged/rusty (and I'd be inclined to ...
1
Essentially, you want to displace the potential condensation that will form after the air inside a warm car cools down. The best suggestion that I have heard is silicone based grease or sprays. Those will discourage the water from sticking around and, later, becoming ice.
Anything that might react with rubber is definitely not recommended. This includes ...
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