Getting ready for winter

[themoose]

For those of us who live in the more northern climes it's getting close to the time when we have to start thinking of what to do to get our rides ready for that long hard winter. I really don't drive my car in the winter so I try to do my best to make the old girl as comfortable as possible for the long hibernation. Most things are pretty straight forward and those of us who live in the cold regions have the routine pretty well down pat but it's always good just to have a brief refresher on the most important things that should be done. One of the those things is trying to keep the battery up to snuff while its in storage so I've included an article that I found that  really goes into depth on that subject and details how to keep the battery charged properly. Just click on the link in the PDF file in the battery section to read all about it.

Moose

[EDNY]

Great stuff!

[TFoch]

Great info Moose thanks for posting.

[62131]

Changing the oil before winter storage really makes sense, I never really thought about it like that before now, I've always waited until spring, This is really good information here.

[TFoch]

Moose,
Do you put yours on blocks to avoid flat spots on the tires?
Tom

[themoose]

Tom

That's what should be done but I must admit that I don't. I do have enough room in the garage where I can roll the car back and fourth to rotate the tires 180 from time to time although I don't know how much it helps. So far I haven't had any tire issues.

Moose

[cocobolo]

Most interesting article. 

Perhaps I can add a word or two on a type of battery we use for solar power living.   These "solar" batteries are typically both heavier (much thicker plates) and more expensive than the typical car battery.  In solar home use, these batteries can take a massive number of charge/discharge cycles without complaint.  A typical 6 volt solar battery will weigh about the same as an automotive 12 volt battery, and most systems use multiples of these 6 volt batteries.  In my case I have 12 of them at $180 a pop!

At one time I tried a set of NiCad batteries (extremely expensive) but replacing the chemistry in them was a nightmare and a half.  Simply finding, then buying and transporting the potassium hydroxide (KOH) was both difficult and dangerous.

The modern automotive battery doesn't need to have the storage capacity of a solar battery due to the efficiency of the alternators that we use today.  Your alternator will bring the typical 12 volt battery up to snuff in a matter of minutes, whereas a typical solar charging system might take half a day to bring your battery bank to full charge.  I should mention at this time that it is actually easier on your battery for it to be charged slowly.

I can see a possible use for a pair of solar type batteries in a drag race car, or even a single 12 volt unit.  You could use the added weight close to the rear end (traction) and may not need to use the alternator on your engine (save power).

As for the tires mentioned above, when I lived in the Yukon, trying to get the car rolling in the morning after a 40 below night was great fun.  The whole car would bump down the road for at least a couple of miles.  Thinking back now, I have to wonder just what that did to those poor old bias ply tires.