[AllaVodka]

Hi guys,

Was living down in TX and moved up to CT. Its starting to get cold and am curious what changes I need to do to my car.

I've already got a set of winter wheels+ tires.

I'm now curious if I need to replace both my coolant and windshield washer fluid with antifreeze types?

I'm honestly unsure so any insight would be helpful.

Thanks!

[freakystyly]

Not sure what year your car is, but the coolant could possibly be old and due for a flush anyways. As long as you weren't running an intentionally diluted water mix, the ratio should be fine.

Washer fluid should be the "winter" type, whatever is available at your gas station just to avoid issues. Don't use RainX.

Oil change if due, go for a 0W or 5W (probably not needed).

Stay safe out there, and give yourself extra travel time depending on the weather. You may be a great driver but the other people out there....

[JoHnMuir]

Also, if you DIY your maintenance and don't have a heated garage, you might want to complete any maintenance or repairs that might be due in the next few months now. Working on things in freezing weather is very much not a fun experience.

[toxik]

dont use a normie snow brush on your car, i bought a foam "snow pusher/puller"

[freakystyly]

I bought one last year, they're great to use as a squeegee too.

[Billfitz]

Coolant and washer fluid are safe from freezing, unless for some reason you used water.

[AllaVodka]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Coolant and washer fluid are safe from freezing, unless for some reason you used water.

Nope, just wasnt sure that they used non freezing washer fluid down in Houston TX

[MidtownMike]

Typical summer washer fluid smells nice and has good bug splatter solving qualities, but no antifreeze.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by AllaVodka

Nope, just wasnt sure that they used non freezing washer fluid down in Houston TX

I was not aware there is such a thing. If so it would be really dumb. Even in Texas temperatures can go below freezing, let alone anywhere a Texan might drive to in winter. Up in my neck of the woods we hardly ever use the washers other than in winter, when we get road salt on the windshield and everywhere else.

[MidtownMike]

In Northwestern Europe (UK, Benelux, Germany etc), it does not freeze from May-October, so many people use special summer fluid (pink or yellow) because of its superior cleaning properties. As soon as it gets colder we fill up the tank with winter fluid (blue). Of course you can use winter fluid all year long, but it leaves more residue on the non-wiped surfaces and does not clean and smell as good.

[freakystyly]

It's the bugs that don't die when it's 32F that you really have to worry about tho.

Yeah, we have "summer" and "winter" washer fluid here too, as mentioned for bugs vs cold. The summer stuff is usually half price or cheaper.

I'm not 100% sure what dealerships use for their service top ups.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Coolant and washer fluid are safe from freezing, unless for some reason you used water.

I would check the windshield washer fluid. I bought my car in Houston in April 2021 and the previous owner must have used water or watered down fluid, because my washer fluid froze last winter. Totally took me by surprise.

[NxTH]

As someone who lives in Finland, these are the basics.

- Winter tires, check tread and pressure.
- Check your battery and alternator. Most bad batteries give up in winter leaving you stranded.
- Coolant has to be able to withstand freezing temperatures.
- Washer fluid has to be able to withstand freezing temperatures (blue fluid).
- If your windshield wipers are old, change them or you'll be wiping freezing water and ice all over your windshield and removing none of it if it starts to snow while driving.
- Get a microfiber snow pusher to remove snow from a parked car.
- Get an ice scraper for window surfaces to remove ice.
- The U.S probably doesn't have in-car heaters, but just be aware they exist. They are usually put on an hour or two before your trip and it will completely melt all ice from windows and heat the motor, and the cabin.
- Service your vehicle before winter, especially oil.
- Put a blanket or two in the car. You'll be thanking yourself later if your car breaks on the side of the road and you're cold.
- Check wheel wells for packed snow after a drive, and remove it before it freezes.
- Make sure all of your lights are working, especially front and rear, and high-beams.
- Don't push the car until it has warmed up.
- Lubricate all the seals around doors. Last thing you want is to rip them apart when opening your door in freezing temperatures.
- If your car is in good shape, now is the last moment to either wax it, or coat it.

- Pick a safe speed, and drop it some more.
- Avoid overtaking if the speed difference isn't too much.
- Turns, roundabouts and curves can be extremely slippery even if it doesn't look like it.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Yeah, we have "summer" and "winter" here too, as mentioned for bugs vs cold. The summer stuff is usually half price or cheaper.

I don't find $4 a gallon to be a budget buster. Besides, how do you empty the tank to switch over to winter formula? Run the washer until it goes dry? There go your savings.

I'm not 100% sure what dealerships use for their service top ups.

BMW only sells year round formula. I doubt that dealers use it, though, generic 'blue stuff' in bulk is a lot cheaper.

[MidtownMike]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Besides, how do you empty the tank to switch over to winter formula? Run the washer until it goes dry? There go your savings.

The blue stuff can be bought as concentrate or prediluted in different cold grades (-15°C, -20°C, -40°C etc. depending on brand). When you still have summer fluid (pink or yellow) in the tank at the beginning of winter, you can just add concentrate or a super cold grade to the summer fluid, run the washer a few times to make sure no summer fluid is left in the lines. As it gradually gets colder you keep adding blue stuff. That's how we do....

Pink + blue = purple stuff
Yellow + blue = green stuff
Taste the 🌈

[visionaut]

I’ll mention a couple extra things. It’ll get and stay frigid - so a battery tender is useful. And consider a sunshield (winter UVs can be intense). Maybe a sandbag or ice melt/traction bag and a small shovel in the boot. And a pair of polarized sunglasses for the glare.

Oh yeah, high-sided floor mats…