I recently temporarily moved to Illinois for a year, and being the South Floridian that I am, I never really had to worry about the extremes of winter, and thus what needs to be done to make a car more winter friendly.

With today's temperatures in the high 30's Fahrenheit, I'm guessing that I should start...any advice will be appreciated...haha...

So far I am thinking that I should change my washer fluid out and put in washer fluid that won't freeze.

As well, I'm going to be changing my UHP summer tires for some all season tires. Or should I opt for the winter tires?

Giving the car a nice wax to help prevent rust from the salt on the roads (probably will need to do this more frequently now...)

Anything else I should look into doing?

Thanks in advance!

-Sal

 

Sal, you have my sympathy! bbrrrrr

Better check the coolant for proper ratio as well.

 

I would find a secondhand set of alloys and fit proper winter tyres, that's what we do over here anyhow.

Yep got it covered with the washer fluid, as mentioned also check the coolant

And, wipe some silicone lubricant on the rubbers of the door & trunk seals, can help prevent the doors from freezing shut when it gets that cold...

Change your cabin filter (pollen filter) and wiper blades too.

 

I second the 2nd set of wheels/tires. When I first moved to KY I had UHP tires, and even switching to AS tires it was still difficult on snowy days. The best thing to do is pick up another beater car to drive in the winter!

 

+1

and leave the Jag in Fl.

 

Thanks for your replies...and hahaha...yeah I should have probably left it home but I didn't know I was going to spend winter here. I drove up last May and thought I would be leaving in late September, but the boss said to stay a bit longer. Good thing is that the building I'm staying at has a garage.

 

Get an Audi. That's what I did. It has six position seat heaters and AWD. When the weather turns to crap it's pretty hard to beat.

 

Dude, this is jaguarforums, you could have at least suggested an X-Type, which happen to have AWD, heated seats and often a heated windscreen....

And happen to be very good in the snow

 

Cambo nice 1 ^^^

 

I was actually looking for an X-Type wagon first, but none were sale in my area in my price range. They are really hard to find. I needed the wagon for my wife's four wheel walker.