Well, as we all know, December snuck up on us fast! As did the cold weather One downfall of living in Southwest, PA I suppose lol However, over the past week I have been getting 'er ready for the snow and horrible cold. Here is what I have done so far - have I missed anything / what all should be done for a "good" winter experience...if there is such a thing.

1) Removed 18's and put on stock 16's w/ new all-season tires

2) Changed oil & filter - (Mobil1 Fully Syn. always)

3) Changed cabin air filter

4) Removed and cleaned K&N air filter

5) Topped off all fluids

6) Changed fuel filter (Only run 93 Octane & never below 1/4 tank in winter)

7) Spark plugs were changed < 10k miles ago

8) Eyeballed coil packs - all look in good condition

9) New rotors/brakes installed < 10k miles ago

10) Replaced front tie rods (inners/outers) < 7k miles ago

11) Tested / Looked over all control arms - all good. Some were replaced < 10k miles ago.

 

I'd say you covered it..but one comment...all-season tires are really one season tires if you live in snow country..you should consider *real winter tires such as the winter performance tires..they are made for foul weather and are totally different then all-season tires. Check the tirerack for info.

 

Yea I know - I think when these all seasons wear down more I will replace with all 4 new actual winter tires...but these all seasons cost me $600 and still have a lot of life left - I bought them when the 16s were my all year round wheels - before I got the RS6's for summer...last winter they did an excellent job and Pittsburgh isn't as bad as say Colorado lol So they should be okay for now...but as I said, being that these wheels are strictly winter now, next tires on 'em will def. be a winter tread tire

 

Well... Make sure you have an ice-scraper..

 

Use RainX on all the glass to make scraping easier.
FIll the washer fluid resevoir with ice melting fluid.
Put a spare gallon of washer fluid in you car.
Make sure the headlight washers work.
Change your wiper blades.
Change your floor mats over to rubber mats.

Bob

 

Bigdiesel: lol thank you - keep the scraper in the trunk all year

Thanks for your input, Bob. Use RainX & their wipers all year round - just put on new blades last week. Use my A6 all weather floor mats all year round as well. Sure saves the carpets from the mud, dirt, snow, water, etc. Was a good $100 investment! All my fluids are topped off - however, I was never sure if my headlight washers worked or not. How is an easy way to check them by yourself? I was told they only become active when the headlights are on? Also, when you are using your windshield washer fluid? Is that correct...

 

Yes they only work when the lights are turned on and the windshield washers are used. Easiest way to check them is with a second person. But maybe if you place a piece of paper or something on the lights (while parked) and hit the washers. If the paper gets wet, they worked. Never tried it....

 

Do it at night and you can see the fluid splash. If not, just park and go look. If the headlights are wet, they must work!

Bob