Cold weather this week
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2013 glk 350
Cold weather this week
In the Midwest it’s getting down to 15 this week. Last year I used Clear Packing Tape to block of about 1/2 grill space. Car warmed up faster . Never raised temperature on gauge above normal. I figure it was designed to cool in Mideast deserts . It won’t hurt. Many new vehicles have automatic grill blocking systems. You don’t notice tape from 10 - 20 feet away it’s clear. Tape sticks easy when warmer and stays on at speed . Don’t block air intake at top of grill.
Test and charge both batteries. Pump up tires, they will loose pressure as it cools and trigger dash warnings. 😀
an OZ of alcohol in windshield fluid makes it work better and not freeze , too much and it evaporates to fast.
Test and charge both batteries. Pump up tires, they will loose pressure as it cools and trigger dash warnings. 😀
an OZ of alcohol in windshield fluid makes it work better and not freeze , too much and it evaporates to fast.
Last edited by Mmr1; Nov 25, 2024 at 08:46 AM.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
If you stay local your fuel should be adequately "winterized". I can't remember the last time i had a fuel gelling issue with recently purchased fuel. If the last time you filled the tank was July, then I'd worry. Also, if you fill up in Florida and drive to North Dakota in January, I'd worry. Otherwise, no additives needed.
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2011 GLK 350 4Matic
During a recent drive from Arizona to NYC, I got a warning message halfway through the drive to correct my air pressure, and then another message upon arrival. That kind of makes sense, with a nearly 40° F change in average temperature. The rule of thumb is that the tire pressure will drop about 1psi per 10° F temperature drop, which is enough to get a warning from a well-designed TPMS system. Just in case you want to get a bit more scientific, here's a resource that will let you work out any pressure vs. temperature combo... https://askmyauto.com/tire-pressure-...erature-chart/
The only issue I ever had with winter vs. summer gas was when I drove my 12,000 pound motorhome from Mesa, AZ (altitude about 1,000 feet) to Flagstaff, AZ (altitude 7,500 feet) on a 115° summer day, towing my Jeep. I had a tank full of winter fuel, which is designed to atomize at very low temperatures. I had a spectacular case of vapor lock before I got to my campsite!
The only issue I ever had with winter vs. summer gas was when I drove my 12,000 pound motorhome from Mesa, AZ (altitude about 1,000 feet) to Flagstaff, AZ (altitude 7,500 feet) on a 115° summer day, towing my Jeep. I had a tank full of winter fuel, which is designed to atomize at very low temperatures. I had a spectacular case of vapor lock before I got to my campsite!
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Contemplating what to do here in south Texas. Right now, it's 84°F (the record high is 86). Supposed to drop to 70°F tomorrow. But on Thanksgiving, a cold front will usher in a low of 65°F and 62°F on Fri. Perfect weather for a motorcycle ride!!
For folks up north, might be best to hunker down, or consider the suggestions mentioned earlier.
Needless to say, it socks having to run the a/c at the end of Nov (and prob Dec).
For folks up north, might be best to hunker down, or consider the suggestions mentioned earlier.
Needless to say, it socks having to run the a/c at the end of Nov (and prob Dec).
Last edited by calder-cay; Nov 25, 2024 at 07:40 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Surrey B.C.
2013 GLK 350 4 matic
In the Midwest it’s getting down to 15 this week. Last year I used Clear Packing Tape to block of about 1/2 grill space. Car warmed up faster . Never raised temperature on gauge above normal. I figure it was designed to cool in Mideast deserts . It won’t hurt. Many new vehicles have automatic grill blocking systems. You don’t notice tape from 10 - 20 feet away it’s clear. Tape sticks easy when warmer and stays on at speed . Don’t block air intake at top of grill.
Test and charge both batteries. Pump up tires, they will loose pressure as it cools and trigger dash warnings. 😀
an OZ of alcohol in windshield fluid makes it work better and not freeze , too much and it evaporates to fast.
Test and charge both batteries. Pump up tires, they will loose pressure as it cools and trigger dash warnings. 😀
an OZ of alcohol in windshield fluid makes it work better and not freeze , too much and it evaporates to fast.
Better to buy all season windshield washer fluid and save the alcohol for self heating properties.
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2011 GLK 350 4Matic
The first time I was prep'ing my car for a trip from Arizona to the northeast, and went out to get some cold weather windshield washer fluid. Hmmm. The first place I checked didn't have any. Neither did the next. I asked one of the store folks and he told me that some genius politicians had outlawed it in Maricopa County (Phoenix area). Granted, you'd never NEED it driving around Maricopa county, but there IS the rest of the world, and just a couple hours north is Flagstaff at 7,500 feet where it snows constantly in the winter. Why it is banned is a mystery to me, but it requires that I have to smuggle some home from places where it's legal...
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Found this answer at a Canadian auto website:
"In Canada, our winters are not for the faint-hearted.
...
Not only do all-season washer fluids have freeze points as low as -45 degrees Celsius, but they also have a good balance of detergents to help keep your windshield clean and streak-free."
They didn't specify a particular brand, but simply, "all-season washer fluid".
"In Canada, our winters are not for the faint-hearted.
...
Not only do all-season washer fluids have freeze points as low as -45 degrees Celsius, but they also have a good balance of detergents to help keep your windshield clean and streak-free."
They didn't specify a particular brand, but simply, "all-season washer fluid".
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From: Surrey B.C.
2013 GLK 350 4 matic
No I guess not, coldest I ever had to deal with was - 49f. The label on my All season fluid from RainX show good to -47f. Winter fluid is rated lower.
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From: DFW
SL63
Maybe some of you have heard the story about aircraft Windshield deicing fluid in the Soviet Union/Russia. They had a reservoir that was filled with180-200 proof ethyl alcohol, presumably a product or by product of the vodka process. Needless to say, a lot of mechanics and pilots had to service that reservoir every flight. Sometimes they had to troubleshoot a leaky system, and refill it between flights.
