SilverSleeper

iTrader: (3)

Since it is starting to get into the 30's and 40's here at night, it has got me thinking about winterizing the maxima. It is a 2k3 with 26,000 miles on it. I'm looking for suggestions on fuilds and such that should be changed or looked at.

Back in March, I moved to Maryland so I have yet to experience a winter here. Does anyone have an engine block heater and/or battery warmer? If so, did you install it? Do you have the instruction? Was it difficult?

ddpack

I'm not sure how cold it is in Maryland but I live in Salt Lake. Only thing I do is make sure I warm her up good. Haven't had any problems but it only gets down into the teens around here. Good luck

StillenMax80x20

iTrader: (3)

it drops below zero for a week or two up in new england and i have no trouble at all, also have death potenza's in snow and the 17's make up for that in the snow, might wanna check your fluids in the coolant department. maybe drain and flush, or buy a tester kit at autozone to make sure the balance is good, otherwise, only windsheild washer fluid could freez, just start using a lot and replace with the stuff that doesn't freeze.

Some places will actually "winterize" your car if you'd feel safer

PoLo

iTrader: (7)

windshield washer may freeze, but um, it's kinda sitting next to the engine. something tells me it'll melt prett quickly....but that's just me.

SilverSleeper

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the help. I'm going to look into this a little more.

Tek-Niq

iTrader: (3)

I went through a winter already and did not do anything to the car and had no problems starting or anything bro.

Gsilk

its freezes when it hits the windshield. its no fun. i dont know what i was thinking when i sprayed it.....

PoLo

iTrader: (7)

really?
damn, that almost sounds pretty funny...never had that happen to me. usually it's so warm by that point that it usually melts whatever it hits...that AND i always put defrost on.

Gooey

iTrader: (8)

hey im from MD an di have 26k on my sheer silver too right now and i already went through last winter which was pretty rough but i didnt do much...but i did keep my car in a garage so maybe thats why i ha dno problems...ask ppl in the regional forums

TXT-1

iTrader: (1)

NJ here and I've never had a problem in the winter. I just make sure to warm the car up. Engine block heater seems like a little overkill in this region. Just like any other time of the year, I just check the fluids and get regular oil changes.

MAX0830

its time to throw on another coat of wax to keep that salt and sand off the paint throw some de-icer windshield washer fluid in and lets not forget its getting closer to pulling out the snow tires for another adventure of a winter in the max...honestly they should just make the thing rear wheel drive with how poorly they perform in the snow just my 2 cents

MAX0830

and by the way i hvae never had a problem with it starting and i live in central NH where it is not uncommon for the temps to be well below 0 for weeks

StillenMax80x20

iTrader: (3)

in my last max, i had heater problems, but the nozzles would freez and nuthin would come out of window wash, they MAKE anti freezing winsheild spray, I HAVE some.....yo

zuprman

Never a problem with mine starting during a Minnesota winter. Although, if you are running the OEM Potenza or other all seasons, make sure you have adequate tread left. The first 2 winters were fine on the Potenzas, but last winter with about 40k on them....it was another story when the flakes flew. Now that they have 50K on them I'm looking at wrapping the OEM 17's in some winter rubber and looking for new rims and rubber for summer only....

I'd be interested in any winter summer tire combos that anyone else is running.

MAX0830

i have 16 inch steel wheels with goodyear ultra grip...not too bad the ride sux when its dry out but man do they go through the snow like a dream.

ZIPPIN

iTrader: (32)

use 5W30. rain-x washer fluid does not freeze.

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

I'm in Northern VA and have driven up to Michigan a couple times in the winter... I have a 2002 with 35k and the only thing that needs to checked is the tread wear on your Potenzas. Actually, lemme rephrase that, go get new tires for the snow. The stock Potenzas are an accident waiting to happen. Everything else works fine in the winter, check your fluid levels from time to time... like most people have been saying, just let the car warm up well....

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

And to add to what someone else already said.... regular washing and waxing will help protect your paint against the salt and other crap they throw out on the roads in the winter....

Lontar1

iTrader: (5)

I used to live in OHIO whille studying at The Ohio State Univ.... Yeah Buckeye State.. and had a 280Z. Then we shipped the car back to Puerto Rico... now my big brother is taking care of the Z... I miss the inline 6, but anyway..... add some additives to the gas and replace your coolant to 100% and no water in the windshileld sprayers, this is only if you are not moving the car.... for a week or so........

Take care a enjoy the snow.....

Jeraldo

Don't ever put straight (100%) coolant in the rad. In cold weather it will gel. The container will indicated mixture, but it's bound to be 50% coolant and 50% water. That'll get you down to -40 degrees (C or F).

In these parts it will get down to -20, and no one ever runs straight water in their windshield resevoir. Sure you could, but when fall hits you'd be worrying about getting it out. Make sure your windshield fluid is marked "for winter" or "good to -40"...

SEmy2K2go

iTrader: (10)

I was also wondering about this topic last night and started this thread in the Detailing forum and it has since become a Stickie with some good suggestions in regards to preparing your car(s) for the winter months.

Lontar1 - you may want to resize your sig pic.