First Snowfall.... What do I need to know?
 

I've been in Southern California for the last 40 years so my experience with snow is limited to say the least. I've relocated to Central Iowa and have just experienced my first snow as an adult. Other than running antifreeze in my car what do I need to know. No detail too small, let me know it all.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1701021856.JPG

Carry a good snowbrush/ice scraper in your car....and good gloves.:)

One nice trick is if you know its going to snow and you park outside, lift up your windshield wipers so they don't freeze to the glass. They last longer and you dont have to clean them off.

Snow is good. Ice is not.

Kevin, I did not know you moved! We have many great memories my friend, David

Extra set of rims with snow tires are really nice to have.

Don’t forget that your washer fluid needs to be suitable for the freezing temps too.

It will take longer to stop, so slow down in advance at lights and stop signs.

Go to a large empty parking lot and practice controlling your car on snow.

Everyone is an idiot but you- that goes for every State though!

If you came from Socal you probably have a windshield washer fluid that is a diluted mix of cleaner and some percentage of water. If your car is parked outside and the temps drop way below freezing and the mix is a lot more water than fluid concentrate the lines may freeze.

Pour in washer fluid straight from the jug without diluting and keep it topped up.

Edit: rwest beat me to it.

Make sure your outside hose bibs are shut off, and any exposed pipes will not freeze . Long Johns and gore tec socks make life better .
When you do scrape your windshield, make sure to break the wipers free at the same time, and clear ice chunks . I fix lots of broken wiper arms in the winter months .
Driving in the snow is easy , its like being at the cars limit at 20 mph, Slow steady inputs, learn to recognize driving conditions and ice patches . Even on a sunny day after a good snow, the roads may seem clear, but there can be black ice ( or meted snow spots that re freeze ) waiting to kill you . I will always do a little test brake check to see just how slippery the roads are . Sometimes a light layer of snow is hiding a thin layer of ice . Always know what kind of conditions you are dealing with .
Bourbon makes the sadness of long cold grey months easier . I always try to knock out a few indoor house projects over the long winters .
Winter depression is real , the world comes back to life in April.
You are never too old for parking lot donuts . FWD cars do best with reverse donuts

It's kind of too late for this piece of valued advice. I was here two years ago just visiting and the washer bottle froze and broke the bottom out of it. Live and learn!! It's a small world David and I'm sure I'll be back occasionally. In the meantime if you ever find yourself in the neighborhood you're welcome to drop by anytime.

I also always keep warm boots, socks, gloves , a coat and a blanket in the trunk . You just never know

You may not be aware of road salt issues as well. Get some of this stuff

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1701026283.jpg

and spray the battery terminals and anything else you want to protect from salt spray.

The Equinox will be put in the garage for the winter. I'll be relying on a Silverado with 4wd for the winter months.

Find a parking lot. Hoon it.
Note how much faster it spins out and how much longer your braking distance is. With that in mind consider how much more space to leave.

My top tip is be gentle with the wheel and pedal - no sudden inputs.

First off congrats! I'm jealous.
Second- that's a dusting. :D
You should go out immediately and drive around in it. Look for slick spots in empty parking lots. See if you can break traction in steering, braking, acceleration. Test your grip occasionally so you know your limits, and drive below that limit. I bet you will find the car works just fine in that pic. Looks like the roads are pretty clear. Ice would be a potential concern.

One of the big pains is when you go to bed with a warm car outside, and as it snows overnight, the snow hits the car, melts, and refreezes as ice, so it's a pain to get off the windshield and will literally freeze the doors closed.

If your doors stick to the chassis, don't force them, you can break door handles.

I "think" I saw a snowflake this morning. I'm on the lookout though!

I thought the whole idea of a small town was everyone had a garage. Poor car, it doesn't look happy.

True. THIS is snow.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1701028203.jpg

Two garages actually. One (heated) is for the 911 and the 356 and the other will take the Equinox.

Sheet ice under a fresh layer of powder is the most dangerous. Beware of partial melting even in day sunlight.

Slow down for traffic ahead. Let the idiots find out what's ahead. Happens at the start of every winter.

Keep a small bit of your momentum and never stop halfway up a hill.

The first thing you need to know is when you’re going to move back.

The techniques for driving in snow are the same as driving on the track.
Both are on the very edge of adhesion.
Track: 120 mph
Snow: 20 mph

Little Heet will help.

https://knowhow.napaonline.com/what-is-gas-line-antifreeze-and-why-do-you-need-it/

Start looking for a walk-behind snow thrower...if you don't already have one. :)

Go to Thiesen's, Fleet Farm or Farm and Fleet, and buy a steel snow shovel. Don't try to get by with a cheap plastic one. Don't go to Menards.

Shovel the snow before the rest of the family has a chance to stomp all over it and turn it to ice. This includes driving on it. It will come up much easier. If you are away during the day and it snows, park in the street, shovel a path for your car, then put it in the garage.

When you say mid-Iowa, I'm assuming no further north than I-80. You shouldn't get that much snow, a small snow blower or thrower is likely adequate for most snowfalls. My step-daughter lives in Davenport, we bought her a 7hp 26" wide snowblower. She's never used it.

I find that when I drive in the snow I will drift/slide/test traction the entire time I am driving. 1. It entertains me and 2. I always know where the limits are. I wasn’t completely aware of this and had a shocker realization. But it makes sense. I am a skier and you need to know what the surface offers so that you can perform the best.

Enjoy!

(Also, get a SAD lamp if needed)

You escaped too? I forget which Kevin are you, from around the Pasadena area or the Kevin with the P car bodyshop? Coming form S cal, that snow looks exciting to spend the winter.

And in that order. good game plan.

He's Kevin that does body and paint.

With the Pcar bodyshop.

Slightly north of the 80 in Carroll County (the 71 and the 30).

If it's yellow do not eat it.

Just remember, your antilock brakes may or may not save you, on ice if you are going too fast brace for the impact in a tight spot. You hear the chatter of the brakes while you don't seem to be going any slower. The best tires in the world can't make ice like dry pavement. Even in wet snow it can get you. Watch your following distance.
Also, watch for icy spots on walks and steps, sneaky little hazards that can get you.

Most important thing, which has nothing to do with snow. It's I-80, Highway 71, Highway 30. No definitive article on highways outside California.

SoCal to Iowa? That sounds interesting. Was born in Iowa and left the Midwest in the 90's. Anyway, snow is not nearly as bad as ice. Wind can actually contribute to the creation of ice on roads. If you think you are going to be driving at night I'd carry some road flares and extra hat and gloves in the car. If you will really be parked outside overnight you might want to install an electric block/oil pan heater. See this story.

https://www.thedrive.com/maintenance-repair/36647/engine-block-heater

Noted. Thanks

One thing I've picked up over the years is that bridges will freeze before roads on the ground will.
Something to do with the cold air being on both sides of the pavement on a bridge.

Good luck!
First time I was in snow as an adult I didn't even recognize that it was snowing, I thought some trees were shedding their flower petals.

Oh then there's what we call black ice. It is a coating of clear ice that is completely transparent and so looks black like the road surface. It will fool you and do it's best to kill you. AMHIK

Awesome!!
Not far from Ames where I went to school. I have driven through there even on 30, back in the early 90’s. My family is all originally from Iowa and if I was a betting man I would say my son goes to Iowa State next year.

That's why i like driving on the snow:p

Tires with as many sipes/grooves as possible.
Remote start installed
Fix any windshield chips as they turn into cracks during the freeze - hot defrost- freeze cycle
Upgraded headlight bulbs
Winter weight motor oill
There will be lots of red light runners. Don’t jackrabbit out the instant it’s green
Be courteous of those that are more comfortable driving on ice and snow and let them go by

LOL, reminded me of this

Do not pay too close attention to the local weather. Snowfall is not necessarily fatal. Regardless of their warnings, you do not have to hide in the basement when a 10% chance of snowfall is forecast.