Winterizing a BC My 05 Vibe for Alberta

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
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metalmechanic
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2010 12:53 pm

Winterizing a BC My 05 Vibe for Alberta

Post by metalmechanic »

I moved from the coast up to Lac La Biche in June, looking forward to a much colder winter than either the Vibe or myself are used to! Wondering if any fellow Albertans have any advice on how to best winterize my car, and anything to look out for as the temperature drops. Here's what I've done so far:

Coolant flush (but not thermostat)
Oil change (5-30 synthetic)
Transaxle fluid change (75-90 synthetic)
Good winter wipers
Snow tires...though these are my BC winter treads, I'm thinking I will need something better suited to the north

Also, car already has a block heater.

Anything else?
She can only stay stock for so long...
star_deceiver
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:49 pm
Location: Airdrie, AB

Re: Winterizing a BC My 05 Vibe for Alberta

Post by star_deceiver »

metalmechanic wrote: Coolant flush (but not thermostat)
Oil change (5-30 synthetic)
Transaxle fluid change (75-90 synthetic)
Good winter wipers
Snow tires...though these are my BC winter treads, I'm thinking I will need something better suited to the north
Seems like a good list! Check to see that your coolant is good down to at least -46C!!!

What winter tires do you have?
2019 Ram 3500 4x4 CCSB srw 8HP75
2016 Ram 3500 4x4 RCLB Dually w/stick (traded in - 05/10/19)
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Cheyenne 4x4 (Traded in - 03/30/16)
2009 Vibe. (Traded in - 12/12/12)
thebarber
Posts: 1162
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:01 am
Location: kitchener, ontario

Re: Winterizing a BC My 05 Vibe for Alberta

Post by thebarber »

do you really need anything more than proper winter tires when switching from summer-winter?
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star_deceiver
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:49 pm
Location: Airdrie, AB

Re: Winterizing a BC My 05 Vibe for Alberta

Post by star_deceiver »

For southern Ontario... probably not. But it can get reeeeeeeealy cold here. I've driven -46C three times in my life here... two of those were in Edmonton, the other in Banff... I know it's been colder then that as well. If the average GenViber went out to their car tonight and checked their coolant, it would probably read around -40. Radiator freezing solid... not fun.

Oh yeah... these things work wonders:

Image
2019 Ram 3500 4x4 CCSB srw 8HP75
2016 Ram 3500 4x4 RCLB Dually w/stick (traded in - 05/10/19)
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Cheyenne 4x4 (Traded in - 03/30/16)
2009 Vibe. (Traded in - 12/12/12)
thebarber
Posts: 1162
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:01 am
Location: kitchener, ontario

Re: Winterizing a BC My 05 Vibe for Alberta

Post by thebarber »

when i was in NB i never did anything special to the yaris or aveo...just snow tires and block heater

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metalmechanic
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2010 12:53 pm

Re: Winterizing a BC My 05 Vibe for Alberta

Post by metalmechanic »

Winter tires are Falkens, they worked well on the coast, but I've had em for 2 winters, so not sure how much decent life they have left...

Good point about checking the coolant temp! It's new coolant, 50/50 mix, but never hurts to double check.
She can only stay stock for so long...
star_deceiver
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:49 pm
Location: Airdrie, AB

Re: Winterizing a BC My 05 Vibe for Alberta

Post by star_deceiver »

Here's my oil pan heater.

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And since I have an outlet by the car now, I'm going to try a heater in the car... or maybe my 200W incandescent bulb!
2019 Ram 3500 4x4 CCSB srw 8HP75
2016 Ram 3500 4x4 RCLB Dually w/stick (traded in - 05/10/19)
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Cheyenne 4x4 (Traded in - 03/30/16)
2009 Vibe. (Traded in - 12/12/12)
thebarber
Posts: 1162
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:01 am
Location: kitchener, ontario

Re: Winterizing a BC My 05 Vibe for Alberta

Post by thebarber »

thought about a washer fluid heater?
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star_deceiver
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:49 pm
Location: Airdrie, AB

Re: Winterizing a BC My 05 Vibe for Alberta

Post by star_deceiver »

Nah... but I did label the bottle properly this time!
2019 Ram 3500 4x4 CCSB srw 8HP75
2016 Ram 3500 4x4 RCLB Dually w/stick (traded in - 05/10/19)
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Cheyenne 4x4 (Traded in - 03/30/16)
2009 Vibe. (Traded in - 12/12/12)
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