Winter Prep. Suggestions

**Turkish** · 11-09-2008 11:57 AM

Hey guys!

I live in MN and want to keep my car rust free and clean.
I dont want to park it so,

What do you guys do to keep you car clean???

**indyaudis4** · 11-09-2008 01:47 PM

I typically wash it!

**mholme** · 11-09-2008 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by indyaudis4

I typically wash it!

Even though this guy's probably trying to be a smart ass...he's actually right.. Just regular washes to keep the salt off the underside is all I do. The body panels are covered by a 12 year rust corrosion warranty, so given the trends lately, you'll have crashed or sold your car long before you have to worry about that.

**Turkish** · 11-09-2008 04:12 PM

Here's why Im always afraid to wash it in the winter:

2 Years ago I used to drive a RX-7 (yes, all year long).
I washed the car and ran into a TJ-maxx for something, came out an hour later,
stuck the key in tried to turn it didnt work. Everything was frozen I had 2 doors and a trunk. Tried the other door didnt work! It took me a while but I finally thought of the trunk, it unlocked but I had to pry it open. Thats when I found out my car had an alarm :) It started honkin' and the headlights went up and down flashing, all the TJ maxx employees had just closed their store and were lookin at me, 6 foot guy crawlin' into a go-cart looking car. I finally turned the key and drove off swearing id never wash another car in the MN winter....

:) hope you enjoyed

**IamEzraM** · 11-09-2008 04:51 PM

wash it when the temps are above freezing

**1997gtx** · 11-09-2008 05:15 PM

Give it a GOOD wax before the snow comes. Install an automatic start. Run the car every day even if you're not going to drive it. Give her an oil change. Wash her weekly. Buy a car cover.
--Adam

**khmerguy978** · 11-09-2008 05:23 PM

for the sake of your paint, give it a really good wax before the winter hits. also, i'd take it to a drive-thru or touch free wash that does underbody washing to get that salt off.

if you ever decide to put the car away for the winter, put stabil(fuel stabilizer) with a full-tank of gas before you do, this keeps the gas from going bad. you should see how i winterize my motorcycle, it's a longggg process... the plastics even come off so the bike's naked.

cheers... rocco

**Sleeeper X** · 11-09-2008 06:25 PM

Any tips on storing a car for a longer period of time.... Like a year +

**1997gtx** · 11-09-2008 06:44 PM

^ Drain everything.

**Sleeeper X** · 11-09-2008 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by 1997gtx

^ Drain everything.

Gotcha, I might have to do that..... I'm considering a job in the military.

**jukesandz** · 11-09-2008 07:03 PM

Do a lot of guys use car covers? I've been thinking of buying one, but I've been debating with myself whether it's worth it or not.

http://www.stratmosphere.com/s4_cover_b5.htm

**1997gtx** · 11-09-2008 07:33 PM

^ If it's gonna snow twice a week, and you hate having to scrape off snow/ice twice a week, then yep, why not? Just make sure you take it off and clean it off when you get home from work. Otherwise, you'll get lazy and it will become a snowy mess that you don't want to use.
--Adam

**jibberjive** · 11-10-2008 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by khmerguy978

for the sake of your paint, give it a really good wax before the winter hits. also, i'd take it to a drive-thru or touch free wash that does underbody washing to get that salt off.

if you ever decide to put the car away for the winter, put stabil(fuel stabilizer) with a full-tank of gas before you do, this keeps the gas from going bad. you should see how i winterize my motorcycle, it's a longggg process... the plastics even come off so the bike's naked.

cheers... rocco

Details on how you winterize your bike?