TIPS - Winter is on its way for North America (and Europe)

[dannyzabolotny]

My local tire shop is dirt cheap ($10-$15 per tire to mount & balance) but they do it correctly. Their impact wrenches don't torque very hard and they always finish the job with a proper torque wrench. They have a big chart of torque specs for all makes in the service bay, and they always double check with me on my preferred specs. They also have free soda/water in the fridge and they let me hang out in the service area because I've been going there for almost a year now.

[semcoinc]

Originally Posted by dannyzabolotny

My local tire shop is dirt cheap ($10-$15 per tire to mount & balance) but they do it correctly. Their impact wrenches don't torque very hard and they always finish the job with a proper torque wrench. They have a big chart of torque specs for all makes in the service bay, and they always double check with me on my preferred specs. They also have free soda/water in the fridge and they let me hang out in the service area because I've been going there for almost a year now.

My local place in Appleton, WI is like that and priced similarly (Matthews Tire). It's nice to find places like this who have professionals working in their shop as opposed to those un-trained/un-skilled in auto maintenance science/arts.

These folks knew the torque they were going to use on my X when I went in for a new tire mounting and balance with my budget priced Nankang tires from Discount Tire via ebay. :thumb up:

Mike

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by upallnight

That was the idiot that was elected to select people for that job. If you think it's bad now, just hold on tight for the ride.

I live in the fruits and nuts People's Republic of the Wash DC area. Hug a tree, save the mother planet, hate cars, love bike lanes, but when it gets cold, watch out because all that matters is them. The whiners cry if the streets are not DRY. So the local 100% wacko gov solution is to SALT EVERYTHING when it is below 45 degrees. Heck, we salt before it rains if the temp is below 45. "F Them little fishes" in the run off streams, we have to get to work on more regulations as you idiots else where "can not manage" without federal gov help/advice/regulation/controls/management/etc.

Meanwhile they came, counted, measured, and cataloged the oak trees in my backyard to ensure a "continued green canopy future". I'm now screwed if a tree rots away.... I hear a chainsaw firing up in my future.

NOTE: Don't take any of this rant personally as it is not directed to anyone in particular. I think it is funny every year we go through this as 30% of the population here is new to the area. Most can not drive in the dry or wet. We come to total gridlock at snow flurries if it collects even on the grass. You will see us closed shortly this winter. If you wait out the mad rush home you can drive around with little to no issues until you find the ice rink on the side road hills.

[CleanIsFast]

About 1/8 of ice this morning, very slippery out there. Mostly turned to rain and slush now, but stay safe. DWS tires handled fairly well.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by CleanIsFast

About 1/8 of ice this morning, very slippery out there. Mostly turned to rain and slush now, but stay safe. DWS tires handled fairly well.

I will never again live where it snows more than 1-2 times a winter. I can't even watch a football game if it is in the snow. I get chills watching news film showing bad winter storms. I'm getting frostbite just thinking about it.

[semcoinc]

Talk about a cold front! 75* at noon and now 38* and a wind chill of 27*!

Last night I put 100 watt 5"x2" silicone pad heaters on the back of the engine oil pan and center of the tranny pan for possible ops in Wisconsin after the Holidays.

Fortunately I was able to do the back of the oil pan without removing the center skid plate. The opening in the rear of the skid plate provided just enough access to lay the adhesive pad in and press the top of it with a box wrench to secure the top most adhesive section. :thumb up:

Fed the pads down from the driver side engine compartment and zip tied the wires to the front sway bar to keep them away from the exhaust. Ran the plugs to a three-plug "T" block and labeled them. The third plug is used for the battery maintainer.

I'm ready now!

Mike

[80stech]

The heater pads work pretty good but rely on good surface prep to get them to stick properly. Did yours come with silicone to seal the edges ?

[semcoinc]

I prepped the surfaces well. sanded with fine grit, then cleaned with solvent.

No, mine didn't come with any sealant. For the edge sealing I'm going to, as I've done before, use high temp silicone red gasket maker. Prior experience using this has shown me it is an effective protectant for the edges of the pad.

The engine oil pan pad, by virtue of its location, is well protected from the worst elements and would not be easy to get the sealant on it without removing the skid plate, which I am not excited to do.









Mike

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

I live in the fruits and nuts People's Republic of the Wash DC area. Hug a tree, save the mother planet, hate cars, love bike lanes, but when it gets cold, watch out because all that matters is them. The whiners cry if the streets are not DRY. So the local 100% wacko gov solution is to SALT EVERYTHING when it is below 45 degrees. Heck, we salt before it rains if the temp is below 45. "F Them little fishes" in the run off streams, we have to get to work on more regulations as you idiots else where "can not manage" without federal gov help/advice/regulation/controls/management/etc.

Meanwhile they came, counted, measured, and cataloged the oak trees in my backyard to ensure a "continued green canopy future". I'm now screwed if a tree rots away.... I hear a chainsaw firing up in my future.

NOTE: Don't take any of this rant personally as it is not directed to anyone in particular. I think it is funny every year we go through this as 30% of the population here is new to the area. Most can not drive in the dry or wet. We come to total gridlock at snow flurries if it collects even on the grass. You will see us closed shortly this winter. If you wait out the mad rush home you can drive around with little to no issues until you find the ice rink on the side road hills.

POST OF THE YEAR

[AV8R4AA]

Do those heater work well?
I live in warmer climate, but interested in those heaters.
Seems like a good idea to pre warm the oil.