what are the do's for the upcomming winter to ensure power, easy startup, and reliability, this is my first winter with my bird so im a little worried if she will make it. 210,009 miles....

 

1. never drive in DC
2. replace hoses/flush radiator
3. make sure your not running a 160* thermostat.
4. replace wiper bladea
5. use low temp washer fluid
6. rainX on windshield
7. get studded tires
8. check belts
9. something they told us up in Minot ND, good for anywhere: put a bag w/blanket, food, matches, small shovel, flares in trunk....just in case.
10. if stick: put in 2nd on snowy roads, you wont spin tires as much.
11. make sure charging system is up too snuff.

[This message has been edited by Project: 85 2.8 bird (edited October 14, 2001).]

 

I lived in Woodbridge about 4-5 years ago... LOL anyway if you have not done so do a radiator flush if it has not been done in the past 5 years or so. Check your timing, never hurts, get some Rain X anti ice stuff.. 1.97 Bright orange stuff at wally world does wonders. Are your wiper blades bad? Leave streaks? replace them. If you have not replaced your thermostat in past few years do so. You can get a 180 and it works just fine. Check your belts hoses ect. CHECK TIRE PSI, I BET ITS ABOUT 5-7 PSI LOW ALREADY. Check your lights, weather stripping. Studded tires are not needed in the woodbridge area. I know. Make sure you have plenty of tread left on your current tires(more then 6/32's) Have your brakes checked over. Other then that just the basic check/look over.

 

Also see what weight oil you are supposed to use. You guys in the colder places are supposed to use a different weight.

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2.8 mpfi
My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series
http://www.geocities.com/pita_j2000/MyFirebird.html?1002261961590
PICS ARE UP!!

 

5W30 in winter.

Be careful about studded tires. They are illegal in most places. A good quality SNOW TIRE (not all-season) will do just fine. I recommend putting them on all 4 wheels not just the back. It is nice to steer and accelerate.

I drove my Bird in Houghton, MI for one winter. The car handled it fine. I regularly had go thru 3ft snow drifts to get out of or into my parking space. The roads stay snow covered until mid April or so.

My $0.02
Dale

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1986 FireBird
2.8L MPFI
1/2 CAI
Gutted Cat, No muffler
Was 700-R4 --> Now T5
**** Great cars aren't bought, they're built ****

 

I haven't heard of too many northern climates that don't allow studs...I could be wrong though If they are legal where you are, GET THEM. I went all out and got 14" mid-'80s Monte Carlo ralleys and put narrower 195/75/14 studded snows on the back, and regular snows on the front. Car went GREAT in the 2 winters its been in...especially great for an F body!!

I have always used 10W30 with no problem, even in the total dead of winter...5 weight always seemed a little on the light side for me. I know its recommended in the owners manual, but 10W30 will give you better protection and works totally fine.

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Jason E

'89 Camaro RS
-Medium Grey Metallic
-2.8, A4, T-tops, 94k miles
-Hypertech chip, Accel wires/coil/K&Ns
-Alpine 60x4 and Bostons

'97 Z28
-30th Anniversary package (white with orange stripes)
-LT1, M6, t-tops, 45k miles
-Eclipse CD and 10" Aluminum sub in JL Audio Stealth box, Boston RM speakers, Xtant 403a amp

Speed Kills...Wanna live forever? Drive a Ford.
Long Live #3...

 

They are illegal in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan that I know of. They tend to rip the roads to shreds.

If I could get them I would.

Dale

 

move to N. Dakota, they legal there

 

86Chicken,

That sucks! Here in MA they are totally legal, and don't seem to hurt the road too badly...they work sooo good too!

 

studed tires are fine in snow and ice, but the first day it all melts, you will kill your self with them.

on bare pavement studs seams too have grip,but they dont. it so easy too say ohh forget it and just leave them on and go driving.

but i had a good friend do that and now he is only about half the person he use to be.
and that about the best he will ever get.

now myself i live in toledo,ohio and we get snow and ice alright.

i am using dunlop sp 5000 all weather 160 z rated tire, and they are an all weather tire.

rain snow ice, dont matter what it is them babys stick,it was my best winter ever, except all the people in my way going slow.

it was so nice, actualy being able too stop and turn with out fail.

the 80 camaro i had after high school, i remember many times just sliding right through the red light in winter( had goodyear gt's)

them sp's are sweet, but they cost about 150+ each at your local dealer, but at http://www.discounttiredirect.com/
last year i paid 68 buck each for my tires.

i went too all the review sites and check out every tire i could get that was all weather z rated, and everyone loved these tires, espicaly if they drove in snow.




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