North vs South, Winterization Maintenance

Heavy duty ice scraper...hard edge on one end, brush on the other. Credit card and box edges will not work.

Carhartt insulated coveralls and a separate 3/4 length insulated coat. Snap on hood for wind chill protection on your face

Husky_liner vehicle floor trays (or similar floor trays).

Remote start if you do not have it now.

Spare head lamp bulbs to keep in the glove box.

Spray ice melt until you remember to raise the wiper blades when foul weather is predicted.

Gloves.

Take care of you. Truck can take care of itself with logical maintenance.

Been there (south to north). Ten winters in the upper Midwest and not going back. Winters are brutal. You'll see (and thank me later) when you experience one.

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FIFY

 

I misunderstood. Thought you said “Jets” fan …

 

I did...wrong sport though lol

 

“Winterization” thread.

 

I think if you had better coaching, Geno would have been a better starter. He made a lot progress just in the 3 games he played for us while Russ was out.

That being said, being a Seattle sports fan, we're used to being built up and then let down.

 

As mentioned by other, make sure you don't have straight water in the windshield washer tank.
Get a bottle of that orange stuff at gas station when you get up here.

I knew a person from CA who refill her washer tank with water, and it turn into a block of ice in MN winter.
Your engine coolant and oil should be good to go.

 

Didn't read all the comments, but here's what I do this time of year...

1. Wash, wax, sealant
2. Degrease frame and apply CRC Anti corrosive spray the underbody (its very similar to cosmoline) and FluidFilm the hard to reach areas
3. Oil change, even if im at 4000 miles, i'll still change it so i dont have to during the winter
4. Check wipers and battery condition.

 

Well Duluth is a nice place. It's very hilly hopefully you have a 4x4 when it storms you will probably want to run in 4hi, try not to use to much ice melt on the windows, it's hard on the paint. You may want to look into a set of snow and ice tires they are helpful. Minnesota doesn't allow studded snow tires unless you have out of state plates that allow studs. That's why you may want tires like blizzack or similar. Remember stopping on ice isn't like stopping on wet surfaces. Best thing you can do is find a empty parking lot to practice slide control and braking. The truck has Trac control and other slide control, don't rely on it if it and it will break loose traction you will be out of control. That's what the practice is for. You will be on a great lake, lake affect snow's can be heavy.

 

I had the -25 stuff freeze on me on a snowmobile trip. Went to use the sprayer and it didn't work. Checked at the gas station a few miles down the rode and it was frozen solid. Engine heat later melted it but had to drive home without washer fluid 6 hours. Got home and found the fuse popped when I tried to spray the frozen fluid.

 

I've done the north winters before. Massachusetts (Boston and Clinton), back in the early 2000s. Much heavier snow than we get here, but they maintained the roads much better also.

Duluth, I am told, is gonna be a bit colder than that winter in Mass., and I was there when the big Nor'easter pummeled us so terribly. Never seen snow like that, before or since.

I do have experience driving in snow around here. We get more freezing rain than snow, usually, but usually get some snow as well.

I'll consider some different tires, but I've got practically new Michelin Defenders, and need to earn on the job before spending much more than I have already. Haven't even got to the job yet...

 

OP Thanks, I understand, remember Michelin's are high mileage tires and hard as a rock there for offer limited traction on compact snow and ice. Good luck. Haven't been in Duluth for about 3 yrs. It's a great place to go. Good luck with your future.

 

From a Canadian (Alberta) perspective...engine block heater and decent windshield washer, tires that have the mountain and snow flake certification...and a darn good battery so your Tacoma will turn over!

 

Nothing really. Just the basics such as proper tire inflation, etc. Your coolant will be fine unless you're running straight water for some unknown reason.

Other than that, get some undercoating done (I use Woolwax as it is thicker than Fluid Film and resists washing off easier without totally becoming hard) and wash it a few times and you'll be good. Don't wash it right after a snow storm though. The salt tends to spray up for a day or two afterwards. Best to do it after that.