With September just around the corner, those of us who live in places that get snow will be seeing it before too long, and that begs the question: What do you do to your Outback just before the snow starts falling?
Typically, it will be the following:
This year, I'm adding at least changing the front brake pads to that--they're pretty worn and I don't want to be doing it in the cold. Maybe a transmission fluid change as well.
That's all I've got for now--What do all of you do?
Typically, it will be the following:
- Change over to my General Altimax Arctic snows (mounted on their own aluminum rims).
- Remove roofrack crossbars (makes clearing snow off the roof easier, and I'll never use them in the winter anyway)
- Change oil to Mobil1 0w-30 Synthetic, Also change filter (I run synthetic in the winter only, because the 0w-30 flows better when cold and the extra mileage I can get out of that change prevents me from having to do it again until spring)
- Change coolant (I do this yearly, about every 18k. Maybe a bit excessive, but it can't hurt and it's cheap to do.)
- Make sure I've got a snow brush/ice scraper in the car...also make sure I still have a sweatshirt or two, flashlight, jumper cables, tow strap, etc. in the car (I never really take this stuff out in the summer, but I just double check)
- Change to winter floor mats (presently I have a somewhat beat up set of OEM floor mats that I use for winter, but I may buy all-weather ones this year).
- Change washer fluid over to a winter blend (the bug washer stuff I use in the summer is only good to +32°F)--After emptying the reservoir, I run both washers until the winter stuff comes out as well so the lines don't freeze.
- Wash car very well and wax it
- Touch up the numerous nicks, chips, etc. that have accumulated over the summer (Hey, it's a 2004 and I take it some places that I probably shouldn't)
This year, I'm adding at least changing the front brake pads to that--they're pretty worn and I don't want to be doing it in the cold. Maybe a transmission fluid change as well.
That's all I've got for now--What do all of you do?