I'm just wondering if there's anything I should look out for as far as tuning and everything is concerned for winter driving. I know to switch to a lighter weight oil. I'm currently running a rising rate fpr setup (hahn racecraft stage two smic). Any thoughts would be appreciated.

98' Dodge Avenger
HRC Stage 3

Don't drive ... park it in the garage and get a beater!

1999 Eclipse GST 4G63

Insulate the water pipes in your garage?



I totally agree on the beater.
1) You can buy one for the price of the deductible on your insurance.
2) It will make your insurance go DOWN due to multiple car discount and the fact that it is now your "daily driver"
3) You won't be wasting your time rebuilding the body next spring

fill it with gas, use a bottle of sta-bil, stick it in a garage, cover it, and pick it up in 4.5 months IMO

______________________________
Matt D.
'06 Evo IX SE
'98 RS-T 13.8 @ 106.1

I like driving in the winter, just not when there is anything on the road... but i do agree on a beater for snowy/nasty days

Yeah, I saw the Iceclipse GSX firsthand. I think it's funny that picture wound up here.

Glad to see me idea is so well supported

1999 Eclipse GST 4G63

My winter beater just got owned by a deer at 65. I know for the obvious reasons that I'd spin out like hell it would be bad but does any body have any reasons? I mean will it negatively affect the engine?

98' Dodge Avenger
HRC Stage 3

i wouldnt think so. put some good winter tread tires on (i used to use my 14" RS tires with some cooper winter treads on em). just dont use street tread in the winter, it SUCKS.

let your car warm up decently before you cruise around, especially if your engine is built (i let mine warm up every time i drive it).

boosting isnt going to effect the car, but maybe the control you have over it in the snow.

10w30 oil should be fine for the winter, thats what ive always used.

if it gets really salty, try to wash your car occasionally to help prevent degrading your paint finish/rusting.

dont let your gas get too low. condensation can form in the tank/lines. keep it full if you can.

um, all that and you should be fine i would think.

______________________________
Matt D.
'06 Evo IX SE
'98 RS-T 13.8 @ 106.1

Thanks alot I have bridgestone blizzaks so I have no problems thanks for the tip on letting car warm up cause my car is about a week away from a built bottom end.

98' Dodge Avenger
HRC Stage 3

1. Check your battery and alt. Having a fresh battery and a somewhat net alt. will lower the chance that you won't be able to start it.

2. You won't need to worry about the mixture at all, since you have the stock ECU correcting for intake tempature.

3. Check your thermostat. If you have a 160 degree one, and it gets unreasonably cold in your area, you might want to stick the stock one back in so your heater gets nice and hot. Flushing the coolant system couldn't hurt, either.

4. The thinner weight oil thing kind of baffles me - I usually run Mobil 1 15W-50 through the whole year. I've never really had a problem in the winter starting up or running oil this thick. Yeah, the molasses pressure is pretty high when you first start the car up, but whatever. If anyone can give me a good theory/story/reason to use a thinner oil please let me know, I enjoy learning new things.

5. Two words - remote starter (AWESOME for getting the frost off of the car in the morning. Just remember to turn your heater on before you turn the car off the night before)

2016 WRX STi Limited (current)
2001 A4 1.8tqms (donated)
1991 GVR4 #1933 (sold)
old.dsmregistry.com/detail.php?carid=218 (dismantled)

Right now I live in minneapolis but in december I moving to duluth where it's not uncommon for the temp to drop to like 20 to 30 below. I don't think I could live in minnesota without my remote start. I run 15w30 in the summer and I'm not sure for winter. I'm just thinking that I may not start on a day that's 20 below here with thicker oil but if I'm wrong please correct I'm by no means an expert on this topic hence the thread. Hell my n/a venge has a hard time starting with 5w30 here.

98' Dodge Avenger
HRC Stage 3

I think i am the only Eclipse in minnesota with out a remote start or a garage spot. Damn winter is not going to be fun.

"You don't quit your job. You just go in every day and do it really half assed. Thats the American way." Homer Simpson

Thinner oil will allow the engine to crank easier. I had 30w in my talon last winter and at +10 the engine did not want to crank. The oil in the oil pump for one does not want to move, that is only one contributing factor. Pistons trying to slide past oil molasses thick is not easy either. I use 5w30 year round. Nate i am sure you are looking for a more concrete answer i just really cant put it into words right now i guess.

at -0 degrees i have actually prayed the engine would fire as it barely moves. This is with conventional 30weight.

You could put a cup of 30w and 15w in the freezer to see the viscosity and how well it flows or doesnt, into a pan if you want a visual.

Terry

96 Eagle Talon ESI....Daily driver

97 Eclipse.........

Get a beater, I love my beater CRX!!!!

Second Place "Sanford Sound SLAP 2005" Mild 2-Door
http://www.sanfordsound.com/carwash2005.htm
Second Place "Scrapefest 2002" 2nd Gen Mild
1995 GS AT, 97-99 Conversion.
2000 BMW Z3 2.8
1999 Chevy K2500 crew cab
5 jets skis, 3 snowmobiles, 2 ATVs. BRAAP!
Member # 1147

My beater has been fixed kinda hahahaha! It got owned by a deer at 65 it runs but has a cracked up windshield, dented up hood and missing a headlight.

98' Dodge Avenger
HRC Stage 3

hey Chef_clipse is that the Avic-N1 in your picture?

98 Eclipse GSX
www.ridonkulous.com

You're not the only Minnesotan without a remote start. But I've got a garage for my car. I won't do anything until it really starts to freeze a lot. The stuff that I do for the winters are:

1. Fill up gas tank & add fuel stabilizer.

2. Wash & wax the car.

3. Remove my rims, put them in my basement & put the car on stands. Kinda makes me wait until spring before I decide to drive her.

4. Remove the battery and put in the basement.

5. Put the car cover on, and jump in my Grand Cherokee until April.

Must be rough to live in the southern states where you can drive all year long.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=879

HeDog

'95 Eclipse GS/Turboed

HRC Stage II with FMIC.

CHECK YOUR BREATHER TUBES!

I know someone who had those freeze up on him. If the condensation freezes in there you could build ALLOT of pressure in the cranckcase.

Pop goes the seals

"You don't quit your job. You just go in every day and do it really half assed. Thats the American way." Homer Simpson

I'll be at the all mitsu cookout again next year. I'm down for a 2gnt section if you guys consider me a 2gnt even though I have a avenger.

98' Dodge Avenger
HRC Stage 3

http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=879

HeDog

'95 Eclipse GS/Turboed

HRC Stage II with FMIC.

I have a question here!

How long will it take to warm up a car?
As I don't have a serie of meters on the dash.....

if I just look at the RMP, and the oil temperature. is it possible to wait for the oil temperature to raise to the point which is about little less than half of the meter?

thanks!