Questions tagged [winter]

Questions and discussions about preparing a vehicle for winter, either stored or in use. Appropriate tags should be used with this according to the part being discussed (e.g. tyres)

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Sizing down winter tires from old car?

have tires from our previous car and not sure if they are trasnferable to the new car. I get the speed difference, is there any other issue apart from that or is this ok? Its size down winter tire. If ...
JFow16's user avatar
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1 answer
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what size tire is compatible with 225 45 17?

Looking for winter tires and rims. But can't find much for the 225 45 17 in a 5 x 100 bolt pattern size. What are some optional other sizes I could put on my 2004 VW Jetta 1.8T?
Shane Richard's user avatar
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1 answer
39 views

is it safe to put 175/65r15 winter tires on my 2002 Toyota Echo?

I want to put winter tires on my Echo. Some are available from a Hyundai but they have a different diameter. Will it be safe to use them?
Dawn Randall's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
685 views

How to spray underbody in winter?

I see a lot of advice online recommending that drivers living in cold climates spray their vehicles' underbodies during the winter to reduce salt buildup and the rust it engenders, but I haven't been ...
intuited's user avatar
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2 answers
140 views

Barely Used Car in Summer with Winter Tyres

Is it OK to leave winter tires on in 20 C temperature, for 2 months, assuming the car will be making 50 km per week only? There are lots of sources explaining you should not drive in hot weather but ...
ferit's user avatar
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2 answers
42 views

Are there any hazards spraying de-Icing fluid on the windscreen?

I have recently moved to a colder part of the country where temperatures below -10°C are quite normal. So far I have observed that people only use ice scrapers. Though I spray de-icing fluid on my ...
şaloma's user avatar
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0 answers
85 views

Lithium vs lead-acid motorcycle batteries: which lasts longer in the winter? Lower capacity vs lower discharge rate?

My question I would like to understand a bit better the pros and cons of lithium vs lead-acid 12v batteries for a motorcycle, especially during the winter. Yes, I know, google is your friend, and I ...
Pythonista anonymous's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
259 views

Turn Off TPMS Warning - Nissan Pathfinder'19

I've just changed to winter tires on our '19 Pathfinder. In previous years I've just had the tires switched onto rims but this year I've used an older set of rims. Unfortunately, I was busy when my ...
DWGKNZ's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
160 views

"Slow" start diesel

Starting at low temperatures and sitting all night outside at below 5°C my car starts "slow". Like you can see in the video below, it will start with no problem but the engine hangs at ...
spaceman's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
188 views

Will 2008 Chevy HHR Winter Rims fit a 2017 Chevy Cruze?

I'm sure these measurements are obvious, but I don't know what they mean: HHR: – Center Bore: 65.1 mm – PCD: 5x110 Cruze: – Center Bore: 56.6 mm – PCD: 5x105
Sean's user avatar
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Car not starting after week of sitting in cold temperatures

Three weeks ago I bought an '03 Honda Civic. It's been running well so far, but I let it sit outside without using it for a week and a half in 10 to -10 F temperatures. After this, the car wouldn't ...
John's user avatar
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1 vote
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Winter Driving in Minnesota: Can lowering a car improve how it handles in on icy / snowy / slippery roads?

I own two cars that handle very differently. When driving my 2001 Jetta, I can take sharp turns and not feel as much of the force, for example. However, my 2000 Hyundai accent feels higher and I feel ...
Mark Witmer's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
146 views

Does a block heater make sense for a gasoline-powered vehicle?

As I currently reside in an area which experiences cold* winters, and do not have access to a garage, I started considering getting an electric block heater. The design I have in mind is installed in ...
user149408's user avatar
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0 answers
27 views

Changing to winter rim/tires

I have a 2018 Jetta SE with 205/55/HR16 tires. Can I change winter/tire combo sized 215/55/r16?
Jeffrey Weinroth's user avatar
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1 answer
68 views

Why does the car heating system won't start for the first 15-20 minutes of driving in the winter?

My car heating system does not start for the first 15-20 minutes of driving in the winter. It happens all the time, no exception. The colder outside the longer it takes to start working. After 15-20 ...
Mamun's user avatar
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2 votes
3 answers
209 views

Car Wash in Winter - Good Idea? / Bad Idea?

I live in an area that gets a fair amount of snow and ice, and so the winter months usually have salt on the roads. Presumably, that salt stays around as a dry crust or in puddles until the next ...
AaronD's user avatar
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2 answers
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Honda Oil Pan in winter cold

Does anyone know if Hondabond gasket sealant can be applied in low temperatures? I have to replace my Honda 3.5l oil pan due to cracking and cannot wait until temps moderate.
Alex McDonough's user avatar
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1 answer
969 views

Is the minimum advisable tread depth for winter tires different than for all season tires?

It seems that a consensus on tire wear is that tires should be replaced if you'll be driving on icy roads with less than 6/32" of tread, but are safe on other roads up to 4/32" (source). I'm ...
Nathan Van Dyken's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

Car Battery Loses Connection During Cold Weather

Background: I've been having an issue with my car recently where the battery will "die" when I attempt to start my car the morning after an extremely cold night (<32 F). I drive a 2013 Hyundai ...
Matt's user avatar
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-1 votes
1 answer
47 views

Will my car be affected by the cold winter temperature? [closed]

As winter comes the temperature will get colder and colder. Will this affect my car? I want to be prepared for any problems that will cause any start up problems or driving problems. Thank you.
Atticus Denewmont's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
536 views

How long studded tires last?

I know that they say that it's recommendable to change summer or regular tires every 4 years because the rubber hardens. Even if they are fine related to the depth of the tread. However, how long ...
lpuerto's user avatar
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16 votes
9 answers
8k views

Leaving car in Lubbock, Texas for 1 month

I am leaving my car (2016 Toyota Rav 4 XLE) to go on vacation. This will be during the winter so December to January. It will be under covered parking, but I am worried about what the cold will do to ...
Abbey Greene's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
65 views

How are winter tyres different from normal tyres?

Using them all year round, is there a downside to them? Or is it just a matter of costs. I will refrain from further widening the questions scope.
deolcarsolutions's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
35 views

Protecting the paint using a carport for winter storage

I'm considering buying a summer vehicle that I would like to store for winter, but I don't have an optimal storage solution. There's no climate-controlled storage facility nearby. What I do have is ...
autobottodoggo's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
186 views

What constitutes gentle RPMs in the winter?

I drive a 2013 Fit, manual transmission. I shift by sound. When accelerating, I shift up when RPMs reach 3000. When decelerating, I have developed the habit of blipping the accelerator pedal to get ...
user2153235's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
4k views

How do I know if my car battery needs replaced or just fully charged?

I've had my Mazda 3 2013 since 2016. This winter in Massachusetts it's died on an almost daily basis in the morning, and sometimes at night if it's particularly cold out. I mostly drive to school, ...
Otanan's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
145 views

Is there any reason to pair winter tires with all-season tires?

I thought I was getting by just fine with all-season tires year-round, but a recent incident made me realize the merit of bothering with winter tires, their replacement, and their storage (or else ...
Calaf's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
90 views

What parameters/parts make a car work well on inclines with snow?

On my way home I drive about 1km on a street with an incline. For about 1-4 weeks per year nearly all cars have to drive a longer route and even this route often gives them problems. The reason is ...
sweet home's user avatar
30 votes
4 answers
7k views

Why use snow tires on all 4 wheels on 2-wheel-drive cars?

In a car without four-wheel drive—if the car provides drive power on only two wheels—why put snow tires on all four wheels when the freeze sets in? Would it not be sufficient to change just the drive ...
Calaf's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
257 views

Winter Tires - 2017 Audi A3

I have a 2017 Audi A3 Sedan. The all-seasons on my car are 225/40R18. I’m looking at 16” inch tires and wheels due to huge cost difference. Can I get a set of 205/55R16 tires and wheels package? Will ...
user44661's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
971 views

Van sliding door frozen shut

I recently purchased a 2004 Toyota Sienna. the winter weather is freezing my sliding doors shut. I dont think it's the locking mechanism freezing Because that opens when I push the unlock Button. ...
Terry's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
60 views

Winter tire question

I am attempting to get a straight answer regarding winter tires. The size as shown on the inside of the door is "215/60R/15". I am told that I can use 195/65R/15 and 205/65R/15 tires as well. Is ...
individjewel's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
580 views

Can I use tires of the same dimensions from a Ford on a Honda?

I'm looking to buy tires off a friend (new and unused) with rims fitted and balanced. They're of the size 215/50R17 , which is exactly what my Honda Civic Touring has. He bought it for his Ford Focus, ...
Nauroze Hoath's user avatar
23 votes
13 answers
75k views

My car has moisture on the inside of the glass but other cars do not

During winter here in Canada, my 2011 Cruze seems like it has humidity on the inside of the windshields. When I take a look at other cars besides mine, there is moisture on the exterior, not interior. ...
CREM's user avatar
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11 votes
9 answers
10k views

Are bad winter tires still better than summer tires in winter?

We bought a car recently which has very bad winter tires on. We didn’t realise how bad they are until it snowed last week. They lost all grip, the car barely stopped while braking or even go in the ...
Kinaeh's user avatar
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12 votes
1 answer
1k views

Do I need any special maintenance plan for a car only driven a every couple of weeks?

I work from home, so I seldom need to use my car. It's kind of nice that it can stay cleaner in winter, too. I could probably get away with almost never driving it winter, but I haven't prepped it ...
autobottodoggo's user avatar
2 votes
5 answers
10k views

What is causing my diesel car to struggle to start in cold (below 0°C) temperatures?

We have two Diesel cars. Both have issues on starting after cold nights. This week we had about -10° to -16° C at 6.30 am, so in the night it was probably even colder. I am not able to start the cars, ...
Kinaeh's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
83 views

how to deal with a car in the winter morning [closed]

Suppose you have a car in the winter morning where there are snows all over the car and the windows are frozen. What will be the steps that you would take before driving/
180210's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
6k views

Are 10-year-old winter tires OK for summer use?

I have winter tires that are very little used (perhaps 5k to 10k kilometres, or equivalently roughly 3k to 6k miles) but almost 10 years old (produced in 2008 week 21). I cannot use them in winter any ...
Richard Hardy's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
824 views

Should I put cement in my trunk for the winter?

Growing up in snowy northern Michigan, I got used to the idea of my mom putting bags of cement in the trunk (over the rear wheels) to "improve traction" during the winter months, when at any given ...
user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Should I open the radiator cap in extreme cold

I have a 1.6L petrol Peugeot 307 (2001) that normally is driven in the south of Sweden where temperatures are typically greater than -10 degrees Celsius, but am now in the north where temperatures can ...
Brychan22's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Preventing snow buildup on tires?

This morning I had an interesting experience. My tires were obviously slipping on the road. It has recently snowed (two days ago) and the roads are pretty clear. When I stopped, I realized the tires ...
enderland's user avatar
  • 318
1 vote
0 answers
363 views

Block heater cord hack

The end of my block heater cord that connects to the block heater is worn out. The rubber is dry and cracked. Because of this, it does not stay plugged in correctly. To save some money I want to try ...
Scorb's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
340 views

Is it better for your vehicle to let it warm up before driving it? [duplicate]

I always get into arguments with my boyfriend about cars we both think we are right. (Pretty typical) so I thought I'd get some answers to a few questions, and opinions from some unbiased outsiders. ...
user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
617 views

Hard data on all-seasons vs winter tires [closed]

The current popular consensus seems to be that you should switch to winter tires during the winter. In its radical form, this conviction is more like "winter tires are better than all season tires in ...
BartoszKP's user avatar
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1 vote
4 answers
3k views

Does storing a brand new car in winter prevent rust?

I was looking for a way to prevent my new 2017 Mustang from rusting. I live in Canada and here we use salt in winter. I asked a lot of people how I can protect it, and each one says something ...
achref's user avatar
  • 111
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Does center bore difference of 0.06mm matter?

Recently I ordered a set of alloy wheels for my Volvo V40 MY 2015 which has a center bore 63.4. I noticed only now that there is a slight difference in the center bore (everything else is precisely ...
kubek's user avatar
  • 13
2 votes
1 answer
158 views

Any recommendation to prevent rims sticking to the disc?

Almost every season when changing the tires from winter to all-season and back I find the rims stick (mostly due to rust) to the disc behind. Is there any recommended solution that can be applied ...
Altair7852's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
12k views

Is it okay to leave a car outside in the winter without driving it for 1 month?

I'm working in Grinnell Iowa for a year. I plan on traveling to the east coast for a few weeks in December- 1 month at most. The town is really tiny so there's practically no options for covered ...
M. E. Ward's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
5k views

Are winter tire good in rain and normal temperature (10-15c)

I recently bought a 2005 Honda Accord and this is my first car. While buying I choose to take four brand new winter tires from the seller. As the winter coming in next couple of weeks in Canada, I ...
sbiswas's user avatar
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