Time of year where a little time before hand can save you a lot of agro.

 

• Check radiator for anti-freeze. Most coolants have anti-freeze in, so make sure you have plenty.
   
  
• Check washer for anti-freeze. Again most windscreen washers fluid have anti-freeze in, but check that yours have. If it freezes it could cause split hoses and split washer bottle.
   
  
• Tighten the fuel lines under the bonnet. The clips come lose anyway but the cold weather causes the pipes to shrik a little and the clips are not as tight as they could be. This causes a nasty petrol smell in the morning when you start up.
   
  
• Check your tyres for pressure and tread. Its slippy enough with out having your tyres not performing to it full potential.
   
  
• Buy some anti-freeze spray. Keep one in the car and one out of it. Many times my door has frozen shut with my anti-freeze inside. I use auto glym which is great but expensive. Spray some on the rubber seals at night, it will help stop the window freezing to the seal and spray some on the locks too the night before a freeze.
   
  
• Make sure you dont have TOO MUCH oil in the car. Especailly with the cold weather, the oil pressure may to too high and start breaking seals.
   
  
• Keep your car clean. The salt on the roads is a killer. Take it to the car wash if you dont have time. If not just jet wash your car every week during winter. Pay attention to under the car, especially jack points where the underseal would come off, and under wheels arches where mud settles.
   
  

 

 

Safe driving.

well im ok on most of them pointers, but just a few im not sure of

 

where IS the screenwash bottle, 90 tt auto jspec btw

and what typre pressure should i run, wheels are 18's with 225 40's on the front and 265 35's on the back, bear in mind i have lots of speed ramps where i live and dont want to lose too many teeth :D

The washer bottle is located behind the drivers head light. Its the white bottle neck. Its got the logo of the windscreen washer on the lid.

 

The engine coolant bottle is located behind the passenger head light, white bottle neck with a yellow lid.

 

Thats where it is on the UK car. Cant see it being any differnet on the Jap

Stuart

for 2 seaters the washer bottle is located in the back of the car. the filler cap is located close to (passenger) rearlight

 

-Eric

Beermonster,

I've got a Jap spec and the washer bottle is the same as the UK spec as Stuart says,behind the drivers headlight.

As far as the tyres go,then I personally would go to a reputable Tyre Fitters and ask them.

Cheers,

F.T.

I think Nissan's quoted pressure on UK cars is 36psi front, 34psi rear.

 

Personally on my import I found 35psi all round gave a nice balance (different size tyres on an import vs. UK car don't forget)

Does any one know how much anti freeze should be in our cars or is it advisable to get one of those anti freeze testers and do they work?

Yes they do work, they measure the specific gravity of the mix. Assuming that you have the right type of antifreeze (ethylene glycol not methanol - is that right?) then it will tell you down to what temp you are protected.

Thanks, it's on my shopping list as from today or is that to night!

For the winter, run 50% antifreeze. Should be good to -40 deg.C

If in doubt, just empty the lot and fill with 50/50 mix. A few litres of antifreeze is a lot cheeper than a new block!

Also, in the winter, at least once a week, run your Air-Con for a bit. Saves you from buying (possibly) a new Air Con Unit in the Summer when you need it again.

when u say run your aircon, i was under the impression it was switched on automatically, i dont seem to have a switch or am i blind?

Originally posted by beermonster

when u say run your aircon, i was under the impression it was switched on automatically, i dont seem to have a switch or am i blind?

 

If U got climate control, just set the temp as low as it goes. If that doesn't work, then when its warm, put the temp on max, close all of the windows, wait till it gets fvcking hot, and then set the temp to min. That should get it running.

or just put the windscreen defroster on, iirc this runs the a/c compressor all the time.

also sommet to check for make sure the missus aint driving it :)

Originally posted by martin T

For the winter, run 50% antifreeze. Should be good to -40 deg.C

 

infact make sure the antifreeze content is correct all year round as its also a rust inhibitor. :cool:

Thought I'd bring this to the top seeing as the weather is starting to get a bit aggresive. Remember people, problems usual start when there is a drastic change in temperature either way.

 

Gives us plenty of time to prepare.