How should you prepare your car for WINTER DRIVING ?

[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

[tomm9298]

I bought specific diesel oil at my Wal Mart. Not synthetic. Around $1.25 per quart.

for the most part, check to make sure the block heater is still working , window washer fluid is up, and check the battery is still good under load.

[84300DT]

lube your door locks with some graphite or similiar so you can at least be able
to open the car up when it freezes

[squid1351]

depending on what area you live in i would recomend fuel aditives to avoid having your fuel turn in to gel

[Hatterasguy]

I know this will stir things up but synthetic oil does help. A really good battery and a good set of glow plugs also. Just make sure everything is in good shape.

Don't forget snow tires.

[kamil]

I also just changed my starter to a 300D turbo one. The car does not seem to crank anymore. It just starts right up.

kamiL

[300SDog]

Aside from engine fluids..... 4 wheel snow tires and 50 lb. bag of sand over the axle in the trunk will make your MB diesel into the finest snow car you have ever known. I also like to carry a towing strap in my 4-spd 240D during winter months for helping to pull 4x4's and SUV's out of ditches..... low end torque on the diesel engine is truly amazing.

Sand Bags, Sand Bags, and more Sand Bags... Block Heater and good battery are also a plus...

[P.E.Haiges]

Kamil,

Best way is to put in the garage for the winter, then in the spring it has no rust on it. Some will argue how to preserve the life of the engine, but what good does that do when the car falls apart from rust.

Get an old beater for the winter and every spring you will have a virtual new car with out any cost or payments. I have been doing this for 40 years and it really works.

P E H

[JenTay]

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

Kamil,

Best way is to put in the garage for the winter, then in the spring it has no rust on it. Some will argue how to preserve the life of the engine, but what good does that do when the car falls apart from rust.

Get an old beater for the winter and every spring you will have a virtual new car with out any cost or payments. I have been doing this for 40 years and it really works.

P E H

PEH,

I would venture to guess that your beater is another benz?

[kamil]

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

Kamil,

Best way is to put in the garage for the winter, then in the spring it has no rust on it. Some will argue how to preserve the life of the engine, but what good does that do when the car falls apart from rust.

Get an old beater for the winter and every spring you will have a virtual new car with out any cost or payments. I have been doing this for 40 years and it really works.

P E H

This is my second car which is my commuter.

[P.E.Haiges]

JenTay,

Soitinly. Beater is a '79 300SD bought as a parts car 6 years ago and still going. It will be a real parts car soon as it is rusting apart. I have a '78 300SD that will replace the '79.

The '80 300SD looks and runs like new because it was always stored in the winter since I have had it. Otherwise it would be a rusted out hulk too. The salt the DOT idiots put on the roads is brutal here in PA and NY.

P E H

[E300D]

I run 15W40 non-synthetic in our Om606. Is it a good idea to switch over to synthetic for winter only? I would run sythetic all year round, but we dont drive a lot so 5000km comes up like every 3 months. Besides the car was always treated with the same 15W40 except 10W30 for winter.

What should I do run synthetic for winter and 15W40 for summer or just stick with 10W30 for winter and forget about synthetic

[Hatterasguy]

Go to Walmart and buy some of the 5w-40 Mobil I Delvac, Yellow cap. Or you could try some of the 0w-40 Mobil 1, I think MB aprove's it for your car.


I would really like not to drive my car this winter but it looks like I won't have the $$$ for a beater this winter. Maybe next year.

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.