Greetings from the O.C.
My daughter just moved to Quincy after being born & raised in the O.C.
She owns a 5 year old Mazda 3.
She is bugging me on how to set her car up for winter driving in the Boston area.
I am not much help. Heck, I keep my top down 12/365 here. I dont have a clue.
Should she change from 10w-30 ?
What about studded tires ?
Any other tips ?

Note: spending my upcoming weekend wash/wax the S for Homecoming II next weekend !!! gonna be REAL cool.

Thanks for any and all info in advance group.

Go REDSOX !!! maybe next year........

 

A good set of snow tires (studs not necessary in my opinion) a coat of wax, make sure the battery has good life left in it and keep some deicer on hand for those fun freezing rain storms if the car doesn't have key less entry. a good snow-broom and ice scrapper are good to have as well.

oh and if she has never driven in snow, an inclement weather driving lesson wouldn't hurt, or on the first snow fall a trip to an empty parking lot to see how the car handles in the snow.

Keep distance
Keep momentum/pace up
4wd does not help stop the car (snow tires do)

 

First and foremost, tell her to look out for Bass!!!

2000silvers2k(way too long of a screen name) has hit all the major points pretty well. Also, she may need a snow shovel to dig the car out if she does not have indoor parking, and she may need it to shovel her space in the street or the dirveway if she does not have plow service where she lives.

I also recommend using a deicer windsheild washer fluid. It doesn't do too great a job removing ice, but it is less likely to freeze up when you used the windsheild washers to clear the windsheild.

I also agree that she should take the car to an empty lost and buzz around in the snow for a bit to get the feel of a four wheel drift.

 

You guys are awesome !!!
Thanks for all of the info.
She moved to NE after a couple of years in Portland. She had driven in "some" snow, but not like you guys get !!!
Thanks !!

 

it's really not that bad - we do have snow plows and stuff

with the proper snow tires and extra time she'll do fine

 

I would add heavy duty jumper cables and a good snow brush/scraper to the list ... just in case.

 

Very good advice here, I don't have much to add except to check and adjust tire pressure as temps drop.

 

add a remote stater and then there's no need for a scrapper


one of my FAVORITE winter tools for the car is the snow brum

i do all the ladies' cars in the parking lot before we leave work if it's bad and it only take me about 15 minutes



http://cozywinters.com/shop/sno-brum.html

 

A remote starter is a GREAT gift for anyone who lives in NE, especially if they do not have a garage.

I got one in my Jeep a couple years ago and LOVE it! I'm not too fond of scraping ice and clearing snow off my car.

 

I agree, the +1 and I both have them on our cars since we have no garage, best mod EVER.


I use it year round as well, especially after work when i want to just jump in the truck and leave or if i want to get a jump start on the a/c on a 95 degree day.

just gotta remember to leave the heat/ac on!