Tips for parking outside in winter

If your 12v battery is over 5+ years old, you should replace it. So you don't run into the problem of it dying while you're in the cold. Other than that, business as usual.

 

business as usual, consider a block heater or stick on oil pan heater for convenience. Vehicles parked outdoors in the winter tend to rust less anyways.

 

Ok new to you parking outside means the brakes will screech like holy hell in the am when you first drive away. Any rust on the rotors from dew and the brakes complain Loudly. Nothing wrong just the Prius hates rusty rotors and will let you know about it.

Make sure the mechanical key works in the front door so if your 12 volt battery dies you will be able to get in the car. Before trying that key in the door spray the hell out of the lock with lock lubricant. Work the key back and forth gently as its probably never been used before. Do not force the key to unlock as you may break the key off. Its going to be cranky. Hasn't been used in 12 years. Lube should free it up.
The key is in the FOB.

Think about a block heater think about blocking off the rad as lots of northern folks do. if not takes a while to get heat.

Keep fresh high quality oil in the motor use 5-20 Mobil 1 or 0-20 for the winter. Keep the oil at the full line at all times.

I feel for you. I grew up in Vermont which is why i live in Florida now. There was an absolute blizzard in Vt in 1978 that put snowdrifts over my Dodge van. Couldn't tell there was van under there. I gave up after that and moved south lol....

Good luck to you.

 

Blocking off part of the rad is a good idea-- at ambient temps below freezing my coolant temp jumps all over the place, but rarely up to 190'F where it's supposed to be. (I watch it in Torque on my phone via the OBD data.)

I run synthetic 0w30 oil and no block heater. The motor-generator kicks the tiny motor over way better than any traditional 12v starter setup.

When I get to a park & ride I leave the car in "ready" when I listen to the radio so as to preserve my 12V battery when it's super cold out.

 

I have a pretty short commute to work and back, only about 3 miles. I have a block heater that I turn on 2 hours before my commute and I also have the top and bottom grille blocked but my car seldom gets to temperature. I find for drives under 30 mins in the city my water temps only get to about 160F. Last winter I completely closed off top and bottom grilles with tape and the car was able to get to proper temps within 15 mins of driving. This year I just used cardboard but didn't seal the seams, I may do that to try and improve my fuel economy, I'm only getting 33mpg in the winter.

 

Be careful blocking where the inverter rad is. On second gen that's at the bottom I believe.

On my third gen inverter rad is at the top, the little bits of grill that are awkward to block anyway, so I just leave that open. We're on the west coast, mild winters, so I typically just block 50% of bottom open (one foam tube). If it gets below zero C, and stays there, then I'll block 100% of lower (two foam tubes). Also, if I'm coerced into going up our local ski hill, I'll take all blocking out.

 

I'm in Alberta so we don't get very many days about 0C unfortunately. I run the torque app on my phone and even with the grilles completely sealed with tape the hottest the MG1/2 temps have ever gotten is about 65C.

 

Amazon / ebay sell giant nylon car covers for $20. That provides a minimum insulating barrier for moisture and debris. Wont have to scrape windows or break wipers free from ice, and if it snows of course you would have to push broom or shovel it off, but no scratches. I havent used them but its good just knowing I have them.

 

I have been using these alu color windshield coves. tried the giat complete car covers before but that was too much hassle for everyday use

be sure not to park under trees. I had a terrible experience this winter when we had suddenly snow and a branch of an old tree could not carry the load anymore. My complete roof and even the top of 2 doors has been seriously damaged.

 

This thread is a little old...Jan 2019.
I am writing this Mar 2019 wishing to say what a great thread.

"Parking a daily driver outside in winter and forum members techniques to make the following day's
start up and drive away quicker & easier"

I am in Calif and have no real world suggestions.
I only experience icy windshield/ side/ rear glass in which a windshield wiper can stick to the glass.
Plastic credit card or similar tool for scarping the ice is my only tip.

As a recap:
1) Install a block heater.
2) Nylon car cover to prevent snow/ ice build up on the car's body (?? the effects of wind.)
3) Lube the car door locks & hinges.
4) Fresh motor oil considering 0 - 30 (cold weather) weight
5) Ensure 12 volt battery is fresh/ healthy

I assume there are more real world experience tips from our co-members.
A master/ check list would be welcome to help any of us deal with a "blizzard of cold".