How should you prepare your car for WINTER DRIVING ? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Alan Hamm · #16 09-15-2004, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I doubt this car will be good in the snow, no posi, rear wheel drive, and a turbo to mess you up. It should be a lot of fun this year, not to mention I live on a steep hill.

I still think you need to park your car for a while. Didn't you have a dangerous situation a while back. Come on, I need to catch up!

Seriously, I was pleased with the way my SDL handled last winter in snow. And with a turbo kicking in at over 2000 rpm, it is perfect for those slow, easy starts in the snow and ice.

Hatterasguy · #17 09-15-2004, 06:52 PM

I'm more worried about rust, I have to much $$$ into this car to have it rust away.

I'm looking forward to 240k in a few weeks btw. :p

P.E.Haiges · #18 09-15-2004, 08:04 PM

E300D,

You could use Castrol Syntec 5W50 and use it all year long. You only have to change it every 10,000 miles. I've had good service from it.

P E H

boneheaddoctor · #19 09-15-2004, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamil

Hey.

This is basically my second winter going into it with a diesel. What should be done to make it winter-worthy and dependable during the upcoming cold months.

I'm about to do a Valve Adjustment and maybe go to a synthetic oil just for the winter hoping to get better starts. Heard that Wall-Mart sells big jugs of synthetic oil.

Anything else you dieselheads do in preperation ?

Thanks

I park mine, and it doesn't see the road as long as there is even traces of salt. But it does get started and moved around my driveway at least once a month, no salt no rust.

whunter · #20 09-15-2004, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamil

Hey.
This is basically my second winter going into it with a diesel. What should be done to make it winter-worthy and dependable during the upcoming cold months.
I'm about to do a Valve Adjustment and maybe go to a synthetic oil just for the winter hoping to get better starts. Heard that Wall-Mart sells big jugs of synthetic oil.
Anything else you dieselheads do in preperation ?
Thanks

adjust your valves.
The engine will start and run better.
Replace all fuses with NEW.
Possible cooling system flush.
Brake check.
Add road flares, wool blanket, candles, Sterno, tin cups, wine, a sealed metal box of cheese/crackers and candy bars to the trunk.

A small 6' X 6' tarp can save you a soaking, if you must get under it on the road side.

A cell phone and charger………

Tomlinson · #21 09-16-2004, 02:15 AM

I use a timer on my block heater. It goes on about 2-3 hrs before I need t start it and it starts like summer. It also saves your block heater, elcetricity too.

GT

kamil · #22 09-16-2004, 02:23 AM

I'm trying to get prepared before hand. Soon there will be a storm of posts that are dealing with starting problems, diesel gelling up, snow tires ETC.

I highly recommend that everyone gets ready for winter if you live in the colder zones. It will be here before you know it.

Alan Hamm · #23 09-16-2004, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomlinson

I use a timer on my block heater. It goes on about 2-3 hrs before I need t start it and it starts like summer. It also saves your block heater, elcetricity too.

GT

I tried this last winter but found that on the Mercedes, 2-3 hours was not enough. My boat has 1200 watt block heaters and 1 hour makes a huge difference.

Does anyone know the wattage of a standard Mercedes Block heater? Perhaps I have a problem with mine.

BobK · #24 09-16-2004, 08:09 AM

Oh heck, I measured the power to the block heater on a 617 a while back but forget what it was. Several hundred watts (350ish I think). In Cincinnati area, I found engine reached max temp in about 2 hours, after that the needle did not move. So, I hang a high power timer outside on the garage wall in winter and plug in daughter's car. My car (and wife's) get to hide inside. Biggest problem is forgetting to unplug before driving away. I hang the cord over the hood so she can see it. Then she drives off and rips off the star as she goes. Timer I bought is for outside lights I think. Big box with grounded plug outlet. Cost about $12 I think.

123 · #25 09-16-2004, 08:12 AM

i have not had my car in a winter yet so iwill be curious to how it is. im about to get a valve adjustement and will change to a lighter oil aswell. althoguh im considering buying another merc for the winter hiding mine under covers on my drive

seafood54 · #26 09-16-2004, 11:00 AM

I've never experienced any rear wheel car to best a 300TD on the white stuff.. I have a set of... Shhhh

... studded Michelins I'm going to add to the Winter Road Warrior bag of tricks, along with the pair of sacks of Redi-Mix just behind the rear bench seat.

Hatterasguy · #27 09-16-2004, 11:33 AM

I'm working hard to get ready, hopefully by December I will have the extra $$$ for a nice beater. Then my SDL can sleep in the drive way with a cover over it. It would be nice to have another car for a few months, I could then fix the rear window and trans leak without rushing.

michakaveli · #28 09-16-2004, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I'm looking forward to 240k in a few weeks btw. :p

I hit 155,000 and I have a pic to prove it. Maybe I should post it?

I want to ctc MB to get one of those high mileage badgey things....

Wes Bender · #29 09-16-2004, 06:21 PM

Alan Hamm - You can measure the resistance at the plug. Should be around 31.5 ohms cold. Mine does just fine at 2-3 hours. The timer is a good idea.

Kamil (and anyone else who might encounter bad icing conditions) - a trick I learned when I was enjoying Plattsburgh NY courtesy of the USAF was to carry a gallon jug of bleach in the trunk. When you find yourself stuck on glaze ice and the wheels just want to spin, pour a little bleach on the rear tires and along the path out. Amazing the grip you will get.

Cheers,
Wes

whunter · #30 09-16-2004, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Bender

Kamil (and anyone else who might encounter bad icing conditions) - a trick I learned when I was enjoying Plattsburgh NY courtesy of the USAF was to carry a gallon jug of bleach in the trunk. When you find yourself stuck on glaze ice and the wheels just want to spin, pour a little bleach on the rear tires and along the path out. Amazing the grip you will get.
Cheers, Wes

If you get excess bleach on/under/around the tires and spin the tires enough to build up friction = street drag racers flame out hole shot trick.
I watched a Toyota Corolla owner try to use that idea, used a full gallon for four tires, climbed in and punched it, the rear tires burned through the ice, but the tire wells where balls of flame, owner abandoned the car for a snow bank.

The tire rubber caught fire and the car was history.

Don't let Police see you use this trick; it is illegal in some areas to put bleach on tires at all.