Sgt_Syke

Anybody got good tips for truck care in cold climates. Just general tips. I don't want to kill my motor b/c of the cold. Little tips like rinse the road salt off ASAP. Let the motor warm up, before driving off. Thanks.

SteveLord

I plan to wash mine probably at least twice a month.

Sgt_Syke

I've been doing once a week, but with the weather I've seen it's gonna have to be about every two as well. Any other tips?

BCMIF150

Where are you at and just how cold in the climate?

joe mcmillan

Check your coolant solution - should be protected to about -37 degrees normally.
Over flow tank filled to proper level.
Tire air pressure will drop off with low temperatures.
Windshield washer cleaner filled with proper solution of anti freeze.
Wipers in good condition.
Ice scrapers in vehicles.
If you are driving on salted roads, really should wash underbody at least every week.

Phil74501

I bought my Dakota from Carmax. But it originally came from Wichita Kansas. Lots of snow, lots of salt on the roads. I had to get something on the front end replaced, tie rods or ball joints or something, I don't remember. The shop almost didn't get the screws out of it because of the corrosion caused by the road salt. They had to put penetrating oil in it and let it soak overnight. The shop owner was actually worried that he wasn't going to get the screws out. So make sure you wash the salt out really good.

MZEMS2

^^^This. All good tips. Let the motor run til it idles down on its own, then you should be good to go. With the new oils these days the motor gets good oil pressure pretty darn quick. When you wash, drive or park it somewhere that the doors dry off good so you don't get "frozen" out of the truck. Avoid using your windows in snowy/freezing rain so nothing binds or gets frozen. Where I live there is salt on the roads from November til early May. The salt doesn't do much corroding until it is warmed a bit or gets wet. So washing that often doesn't necessarily stop the corrosion, unless you get every bit of it off. So a quick wash, is worse than no wash at all.

Jjayf

Depends on how "cold" cold weather conditions are to you. Where we live, -30 with high winds are common..

If you are in real cold weather..

Use your block heater when -15C or colder. It lowers the viscosity of the oil and protects the engine from cold start wear.

Carry jumper cables. Not only for your use, but to help that damsel in distress and feel like a super hero.

Use a battery blanket. Adds years to battery life, prevents frozen battery.

Get a winter front. Not only allows the engine to warm up faster supplying more heat quicker faster, it slows the engine cooling time.

Keep fuel tank above 1/2 full. Supplies extra weight for added traction. I've been stuck in a truck overnight during a blizzard. The extra fuel helped keep us from freezing. (If you are ever stuck in a vehicle, only run the engine for short periods. Check that the tail pipe has a free path for exhaust, and have a window cracked to supply fresh air.)

Steve Osborne

treat the door seals, 303 or silicone...keep the door from sticking/freezing shut...hate yanking on the plastic handle...

joe mcmillan

Very good info above.
So far no one has commented on carrying emergency blankets, clothing and water inside the vehicle.
All very necessary if you get stranded where help may not come for a period of time.