Vehicle question

[Lex]

How often?

It depends on how much salt they put on the roads. But if your red pickup looks snow white then you should probably take it in for a wash ;-)

It also depends on how long you want your car to last, etc. Preferably in really bad conditions you would want to take it for a wash everyday or every other day. But if you're paying $10 a day most of the winter to wash your car it'll eventually add up so you have to decide if it's worth it. I'd say most people don't bother to wash their cars that often because it's not worth their time, they'd rather buy a new car in 10 years or so.

You will see the salt on your car (unless your car is white) so it's not some mysterious thing eating away at it. And if you like to keep your car looking clean than you will automatically take it when it's dirty, so you will not have to change your normal routine from living in the south (other than maybe having to take it in more often during the really snowy days).

Also keep in mind that salt is only thrown on the roads when it's snowing or freezing. Once the roads are clear they aren't going to keep putting more salt (there is a finite supply of salt and funds to pay for it...).

Obviously there are winter tires, as an option, as well as all-season, I believe...

I think the tire situation is similar to the 4wd vs. 2wd. You will get more traction with winter tires but you have to keep two sets of tires around and change them every year. All-season is easier to take care of since you don't have to change them and will work okay in snow and in summer. Or you could just keep the tires you have now and forget about it :-) Maybe when they wear out you can buy new all-season tires or something. Again this is another personal and financial preference.

[AlanM]

Don't pump the brakes of a vehicle with ABS. The computer does it for you.

Take a look at the cars off the highway in a snowstorm. They are usually cars with ABS brakes which the drivers thought knew how to stop in snow or ice.

[KBCraig]

I've never used water in my radiator.  I thought all radiator fluid was better.

No, you should always have water in the mixture. Usually 50/50, but read the label. Here's what Prestone says about it:

Q. What is the best antifreeze/coolant concentration for a vehicle? Can I use 100% antifreeze? 
A. We recommend that you use between a 50% and 70% concentration of antifreeze. At least 50% is necessary to give the adequate amount of corrosion protection, as well as freeze/boilover protection. However, we do not recommend more than 70% antifreeze. This would cause restriction of the heat transfer capabilities, corrosion protection, and freeze protection.

[9thmoon]

I talked to an insurance agent up there, Ian, to get an auto insurance rate quote for my upcoming move, and he was giving me the rates on a couple vehicles I was considering buying (4WD) and he said "Oh, no, you don't need 4WD here, it's not worth the extra cost, unless you live out at the end of an unpaved road." 

[aries]

I talked to an insurance agent up there, Ian, to get an auto insurance rate quote for my upcoming move, and he was giving me the rates on a couple vehicles I was considering buying (4WD) and he said "Oh, no, you don't need 4WD here, it's not worth the extra cost, unless you live out at the end of an unpaved road." 

Which a lot of people do, and still don't need it

I plan on buying a big diesel truck with 4wd when I graduate from college and get a home, so I can attach a plow and whatnot, and because diesel gets better mileage.

[Jared]

I have a '98 Toyota Tacoma pickup.  It is a southern vehicle, 2WD, and I own it outright.

Is it worth my while to take it up north?  If so, what do I need to do to make it a northern-capable vehicle?

I was planning on selling it down here in FL and then buying a 4WD vehicle in NH, but figured I'd see what you guys thought first.

Best to have a 4WD or at least know someone with a 4WD who can save your ass when you get stuck somewhere. I personally don't own one, but my father has had to use his to get me out of storms a couple of times.

[Lex]

Get a 2wd if you don't mind somebody getting you out of the snow once in a while otherwise get a 4wd.

Also, I think the 4wd extra cost is overrated. I bought my '98 Subaru Forester with 120,000 miles for $3,500 and it's a great All Wheel Drive vehicle. If you look around you can easily get some nice used 4wd pickups for around $5-10k.

[Russell Kanning]

We have a front wheel drive car without snowtires. It works fine for us. Your pickup might need some weight. You can haul firewood around for me.

[NC2NH]

You can haul firewood around for me.

Russell, maybe you'll be able to finish that woodpile fortress. I didn't know you were a lumberjack until today

[Minsk]

Don't pump the brakes of a vehicle with ABS. The computer does it for you.

Take a look at the cars off the highway in a snowstorm. They are usually cars with ABS brakes which the drivers thought knew how to stop in snow or ice.

Just to chip in on the other side: I learned to drive with real brakes, and I've slid out into intersections soley because the stupid ABS decided that I was braking too hard. Not sure how bad most vehicles are, but the Jetta at home is really paranoid below ~10mph. Honestly to the point where a conveniently blown fuse would be safer than the computer-aided alternative...

If you can keep your gateroad under six inches, any front-wheel drive car with decent snow tires should get up it. IMO anyway, 4wd is for the pickup out in the woodlot.

[KBCraig]

Just to chip in on the other side: I learned to drive with real brakes

Welcome to the Underground, Minsk! I look forward to your introduction.

I also learned to drive with real brakes, and I don't care for ABS. Because I grew up in Arkansas, most of our winter driving was on ice, not snow. Usually in a 2WD, long bed, 1/2 ton pickup with half a rick of wood in the bed for traction.

No limited-slip differential, either: we had to use "Poor Boy Positrac", which meant riding the emergency brake to force traction to both rear wheels.

Here's a hint for those of you with ABS: if you need to make an emergency stop, stand on the brake like you're trying to push it to the floor. Don't try to out-guess the computer, because you'll just make the stop even longer. Stomp it, and don't let up until you either stop, or have steered around the emergency. You might not stop as quickly as a skilled driver could with old-fashioned brakes, but you'll stop as quickly as it's possible to stop with ABS.

Speaking of steering, don't forget to steer. Don't use the wheel as a brace to push harder on the brake pedal; keep steering as needed.

Kevin

[Lloyd Danforth]

I've never used water in my radiator.  I thought all radiator fluid was better.

Your 'radiator fluid' might be a 50/50 mixture of anti-freeze and water.

[Jared]

Don't pump the brakes of a vehicle with ABS. The computer does it for you.

Take a look at the cars off the highway in a snowstorm. They are usually cars with ABS brakes which the drivers thought knew how to stop in snow or ice.

Just to chip in on the other side: I learned to drive with real brakes, and I've slid out into intersections soley because the stupid ABS decided that I was braking too hard. Not sure how bad most vehicles are, but the Jetta at home is really paranoid below ~10mph. Honestly to the point where a conveniently blown fuse would be safer than the computer-aided alternative...

If you can keep your gateroad under six inches, any front-wheel drive car with decent snow tires should get up it. IMO anyway, 4wd is for the pickup out in the woodlot.

aw, i can't stand abs. the damn things go off when you're trying to break for a stop sign. it's pretty scary, actually.

[Russell Kanning]

You can haul firewood around for me.

Russell, maybe you'll be able to finish that woodpile fortress. I didn't know you were a lumberjack until today

I just buy it and stack it.

[toowm]

I couldn't get out of my driveway a couple of times this winter. Not snow - just ice on a slope. So I bought snow tires, which worked fine. This summer, I had to replace two (regular/original equipment) tires and found out the standard tires were crap - so I got 4 new. I'm expecting my new standard tires will also be fine in winter.