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

[KevinP73]

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.

[stevej37]

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

[cstreit]

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.

[Arizona_928]

Snow is good. Ice is not.

[DavidI]

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

[rwest]

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!

[KNS]

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.

[fastfredracing]

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

[KevinP73]

Originally Posted by KNS

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.

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!!

Originally Posted by DavidI

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

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.

[fastfredracing]

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

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by KevinP73

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.

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



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

[KevinP73]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

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



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.

[Alan A]

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.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

First off congrats! I'm jealous.
Second- that's a dusting.
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!

[Bill Douglas]

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

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Second- that's a dusting.

True. THIS is snow.

[KevinP73]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

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

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

[john70t]

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.

[Crowbob]

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

[Dantilla]

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