Cold weather preparedness.

Been minus 15 now for a week. I was not prepared. so as i mentioned in the other thread, I got no 4x4
Well my house was prepared, been insulating and getting firewood and smartifying everything to save on the ridiculous electricity prices of 0.5 to 10 €. yes, i know not much compared to our wages and the european prices but we are used to it being for free. 

But the Jimny was not prepared.  So i thought I'd just make a winter preparedness list

 - Winter tires -depending on your roads winter maintanance level. For me full nordic winter tires, (three peak mountain snowflake marking)
 - Silicon treatment for the door gaskets to avoid them freezing shut.
 - Lube the door locks and hinges with a cold weather lube. (No spray, no alcohol drying the lock out!)
 - Well cleaned and lubed free wheel hubs with a cold weather lube. (manual or auto still important)
-  Heater if possible, electric block heater or better yet diesel or gas system that heats the engine.
-  High service level, good fresh engine oil, check coolant level and condition, filters, spark plugs, full gas tank.
-  Snatch strap the dynamic sort, shovel, shackle, recoverygear, spare fuel.
-  Extra warm and rain proof clothes, hat, gloves, blanket if car or traffic breaks down, some food and water. (saved me more than once)
 - Ice scraper for windows and a brush to remove snow (with a long handle).
 - Charged up phone and spare battery and charger. 
Added below and adjusted above from comments:
- Well serviced car battery of good quality with clean terminals. AGM preferred, not lithium unless heated. 
 - Jump leads or Jump starter. beware 
- Check and maintain correct tyre pressure for max traction. On board air.
- LED warning light

Some points are basic and some more important if you cross a mountain pass or go longer distances. 
I might edit and add more later, and your tips and additions are more than welcome!

Good thread, Yak. I agree that winter in the north demands some good prep.

Silicone for the door seals is one that doesn't get mentioned enough. Good on you putting it at the top of the list. I use aerosol and a piece of cardboard to protect from overspray -- takes two minutes at most.  Simple and effective.

For cold weather lube I like Wurth 5000 spray -- uses PTFE so it doesn't attract dust and it is good across a wide range of temps. I use it on the bonnet latch and cable as well.

To your list I would add:

-- jump leads (fit nicely under the passenger seat)
-- LED trouble light, gets dark early in the winter up here
-- spare set of gloves that you could wear while changing a tyre
-- rain poncho from the pound shop, helps in heavy snowfall and can also be used as a work area tarp to keep your knees dry in the snow
-- battery terminal protector, either a spray or gel to keep corrosion off the terminals, which are rather exposed in the Jimny

If you are really uptight, like me, you might also carry a cheap folding snow shovel and a fire extinguisher.  Be sure to strap them both down carefully, especially the latter.  Seatbelts/airbags don't do you much good if you get beaned by a fire extinguisher in an accident.

This winter has already been especially snowy here.  I'm running Yoko BluEarth tires but also thinking about investing in some cheap chains.  Probably just for the rear axle only, though I have read that some Jimny fans chain both front and back.  I have to say that I've never needed chains, but then again, you don't need them until you need them.

All this is very interesting, i live in a different climate so never thought of important prep work as this
By what way do you keep the engine block warm

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The Jimny starts fine in cold weather when the engine is well serviced and the coolant has the correct spec. Mine is OK down to -40 (I think)
And the battery is NOT the cheap kind from Asia that dies on the first cold nights. AGM preferably, mine is 70Ah.
My car have an after market Defa block heater 230V and also a 700W cabin heater. But rarely used. "free" power at work so here it is connected to a timer switching it on an hour before i leave or so. A bit to save gas from cold start and mostly comfort
My other car has a Webasto 5kW diesel heater. I will not ever buy another diesel car most likely, but a diesel engine without the heater, no way!
Three diesel cars i know of dead just this week from the cold. Owners will try again to start them over the weekend when it gets warmer, or call for towing.

Problem with some lithium jump starters is that you cannot keep them charging in the car if they are regular spec as lithium do not like charging below freezing. some has a built in heater pack though.

Beware that airing up or down in freezing conditions will likely make your valves ice up and seeze open. or shut.
I have an impression that tyres loose pressure more often during winter. Or is it the winter tyres?
Or do i check for the correct pressure more often as the whole tyre surface is needed for grip?

I carry much of that list all year round, it just lives in the car.

You can always take your lithium jump starter inside at night, together with your can of de-icer, that way they are both warm and ready for action.

Another addition is a hand spray bottle of warm water or even screen wash, then when the washer jets freeze up you can wind the window down and reach round to help keep the screen clean.

I have a CTEK MXS 5.0 and that can be left on overnight, or even permanently. As well as maintaining charge, you get the benefit of a warm battery, so no drop in power due to a cold battery.

Roger

I got a Ctek too, not sure what the size or model was, but was planning to add it to the 230V setup for the heater connections. Have not had the need though after installing 70Ah AGM..but i do have a Ctek connnection installed for easy hookup.

Haven't seen the practical use for the spray to de-ice yet. Some of those products might work any brands that you got good experience with? Most stop working around minus ten i think. but then i do keep the car inside at home and plugged in at work.
Also beware the store bought washer fluids, cheap ones work at minus 10 but 15 and lower some freeze up on the windscreen.

ahh and another tip for driving in drifts and windy snow, keep your screen cold to avoid ice build up on the windscreen and wipers. Adjust the heater to feet or face. seldom a problem on the suzuki though as the windscreen heater is not so powerful
Or in temperature around zero, wiggle the wiper switch so the wipers stop 5cm or so up on the windscreen where the heater can melt the ice. Will not work at ten and below though.

LED lights here should be of the heated sorts or they clog up and freeze on the front. or like me better just keep the old halogen that melts on coming snow.

over the weekend now C 4+ and all will be forgotten until the next cold period....

I see you've not got on your list some food and drink? maybe cereal bars or something.

What about a camping stove or something for hot drinks? Never know how long you're going to be stuck 

I made a washer fluid heater that is spliced into the heater hose. Works well.

Roger