TIPS FOR WINTER COLD WEATHER SNOW DRIVING- TIRE CHAINS AND TRACTION TIRES

Driving and cold car care tips for winter and snow weather - windshield wiper blades, frozen and stuck locks and doors, emergency supplies, tire chains

cold weather - snow driving - tires and chains - salted roads

front wiper de-icer
The optional front wiper deicer heats the lower windshield under the front blades to defrost the wipers.
Part of the All Weather Package available on all Subaru lines. Outback shown

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Cold Weather
Driving tips for a cold weather

Check your radiator and washer fluids.
Check your tire pressure, it can change in cold weather.
Keep at least 1/3 - 1/2 tank of gas to minimize condensation.
Before starting the car turn OFF all accessores - it's much better for the battery.
Let the engine run for a minute or two before taking off (newer models have the blue 'cold engine' reminder light).
Windshield wiper blades. If you have the All Weather Package (heated outside mirrors, front wiper de-icer and heated seats) turn on the front wiper deicers to free the blades if there's any frost or ice. Do not use warm water on the windshield, it can crack the glass. And of course use the heated seats and rear defroster.
Lift wiper blades and arms off the glass so they don't get frozen to the windshield. Or place a narrow strip of newspaper between the wiper blades and glass so the blades lift off and don't stick.
Clean wiper blades with windshield washer fluid.
Door lock frozen? Lock deicer is handy and good to use (at most auto parts or hardware stores, or locksmith), or heat the key with a match.
Door frozen closed? Help prevent this - lightly wipe silicone on the rubber seals. Use silicone spray on the rubber door seal. Be sure to wipe off excess and overspray.
Windshield fogging up quickly? Turn OFF the front defroster before turning off the car, so make sure the heat control is set to the vent or floor setting before turning off the car. This will slow down the fogging up of the car because cold air entering the car won't enter onto the warm windshield. Also turn off the fan.

Things to carry in the car cell phone, flashlight that works, ice scraper, emergency reflective triangle or flare, blanket, gloves, bag of sand, shovel, common sense.



Snow driving

Snow driving: see cold weather tips above
Tires are your tires ok, do they have lots of tread and are they properly inflated?
Windshield Can you see out the windshield? Gently scrape snow off,
Snow on the body. Don't scrape down to the paint, it can scratch it. Maybe let the car warm up and melt it off.
Gas tank Keep at least 1/3 - 1/2 tank of gas to minimize condensation and also to keep warm if you get stuck.
Accelerate slowly, avoid quick or jack-rabbit starts
Braking only very gently tap the brakes to slow down. Anticipate stops, lift off the gas pedal. Downshift if you can with the Sportshift automatic or manual transmission.
Avoid hard braking. If you have to brake hard, don't pump, just push down and hold so the anti-lock brakes kick in. Then remember to steer and not to panic.
Avoid accelerating while turning.
Watch for snow build-up around the tires
Watch out for the 'other guy' esp the one who thinks he's invincible and laws of physics don't count.



Tire Chains and Traction Tires

NO-  Chains are NOT recommended on any Subaru due to clearance issues with suspension, struts, brake lines etc. Damage isn't covered under warranty.

THE BEST IDEA
Tires, traction tires-
Winter tires are the best idea for frequent cold and snow weather driving. There are a few types to choose from- rain, snow or ice tires etc.
Studded tires are good for all around snow and ice traction but are a noisy, 'rumbley' uncomfortable ride, and over time can damage the road or driveway surface.
Always  All 4 tires must always match in an all wheel drive car.

Chains- don't use them
Spider traction device If you often need chains and don't want winter tires, consider the Spider traction device because they don't go on the inside of the tire. They are a bit expensive however and the hub they attach to has to be pre-installed on the lug nuts.

If you must use chains, only use low profile cable chains (not link chains) on the front wheels. But it is not suggested to use them at all.
Install them - very - very - very tightly so there is absolutely no loose cable to slap against and damage components or brake lines inside the wheel wells.
Keep the speed down and remove them as soon as possible to minimize the risk. Again, it is not a good idea to use them.



Salt
it melts the ice and damages your car

Salt will corrode the body, under carriage, brake lines and fittings.
Stop the damage early. Corrosion might not show for years but once it starts can be expensive to repair.

Before the Salted Road Season and Anytime
Touch up rock chips.
Hose underneath the car to rinse off debris.
Run the car through a car wash and choose the undercarriage wash if offered.
Wax the car before the winter months. This will protect the paint and make it harder for salt to dry

End of Salted Road Season

Wash the car. Thoroughly hose under the hood (spray setting), around the wheel wells, underneath the car.
Wax the car again to protect the paint during hot dry months

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Forester XT