Hi Everyone, want to gauge what everyone in cold weather areas do with their cars as winter approaches - I see 3 options: 1 - Put cover on it and lock it up for winter without driving her at all 2- Take it out once or twice for fun 3 - Will drive it as frequently as possible when possible For those that go with option 3, how do you wash her in the winter esp with the outside water shut off?
In NY and I do 3. I have a spigot in my garage that I can turn on and I use warm water from the tap in my buckets.
1 but only because I'll spend the winter in Norway, otherwise it'd be 3 given that I have a washing bay in the garage.
#3, as long as it's dry and sunny I see no reason not to driver her! Of course once snow flies here the chances are slim for those conditions but it does happen..
Salt is NO issue on a full aluminum car...standard reduction potential for Aluminum is way too low, even lower than Zinc.
Unfortunately deicing "salt" can be many different chemicals depending on where you live. CT has switched to a liquid salt brine that is put on the highway before a storm and left to dry, reactivated by the moisture from snow fall. This, and whatever other deicers they use, has shown to actually eat through steel brake lines and fittings in vehicles here. I had a 4 year old truck that had the issue which is when I heard of it for the first time. SO dry roads only for this guy! Plenty of non-aluminum parts to ruin!
liquid or solid, in order to prevent water from freezing you will always have to have a ionic compund that usually contains chlorine, potassium and or sodium. Chlorine does not have enough reduction potential to oxidize aluminuim, it has enough meanwhile to oxidize iron, this is why cars are zinc-coated and why brake-discs may tarnish Wash with water once a week and you'll prevent this.
No, you won't, not with a normal hand wash.. Salt spray will get on steel parts under the car and a normal washing will not touch it, which is why they continue to corrode. A drive though "touchless" car wash with good underbody spray is the best thing but they are not available most places.
I chose option 4. I didn't move but I bought a second house where it is warm and dry year round and put the Ferrari in the garage there. Now when I want to drive on any weekend where it is raining or snowing I just fly out for the weekend and enjoy. No winterization required. For those who don't have the option, I see most people trying for option 3. Then it usually winds up they actually did option 1 but didn't winterize the car correctly. Then the car gets trailered to the dealer for a new battery and a fuel system flush.
I fall into this category - I want to be 3 but will probably be closer to 1. What are all the steps to winterize the car? I'm planning on keeping mine garaged and plugged in but nothing beyond that. (first winter).
Option 3 for me. I'm in Florida. If it's not raining and we don't get any ice like last year, it's getting driven.
Option three for me. In the Seattle area it's typically raining from October to May, but it doesn't generally get too cold (usually stays in the 50*s F or ~12* C) and even when it does, they sand the roads, not salt them. Consequently, anytime it's clear, dry, and I can get out, I'm heading out for a drive - with the top down, no less. As for washing, same as always (since I'm in a high rise and have to go out to wash the car) - use a self-wash booth or take it to a detail shop for cleaning.
Same here. I would love to be #3 but in nj, I will probably be closer to #1. Good question. What do you mean by winterize? Mine will be plugged in to wall.
