laobanh

Unfortunately that time of year is coming and I may be stuck having to drive my TII RX-7 for the winter. My Jeep is currently in the process of getting and overhaul, but I may need to lend it over to another family for the season.

If any of you live in Winnipeg, you already know of the harsh winters that we get compared to all other provinces. I'm likely not going to drive it everyday for the winter season and it'll be stored in a garage every time I do.

Are there are extra tips / special measures you take in to driving your 7 for the winter? Whether it be before your start your drive or from just pulling up on to the driveway returning from somewhere. Or do you just follow the standard checklist of getting snow tires, correct oil, and drive slow.

number8

iTrader: (2)

100% snow tires regardless of the vehicle, in addition to all the other safety stuff. (Lights, Wipers, Washer fluid)
I don't know what condition your rx is in. . . .but I might get it rust checked/proofed/sprayed if you haven't already. If I had to drive mine in the snow I'd wanna make real sure the salt didn't stick to it!

HiWire

I'd switch to 5W30 oil for the winter season (I store my FD for the season, though). Also check your battery's power and consider an engine block heater and lock de-icer.

More obviously, the usual safety equipment should be in the car: e.g., blanket, flares, etc.

What happened in Calgary was kind of nuts.

laobanh

Yeah, I have the mandatory maintenance/safety stuff on my check list. Good to be reassured if I may be missing anything else.

The shell is near mint, just patching up some small rust spots. I wanted to know more like if I'd need to get a special coating on the car or if I should wash undercarriage upon arriving home from my trip.

HiWire

Have you figured out what snow tires you'd put on the car?

I get my car sprayed at Krown once a year. It was rust-free when I got it and I'm trying to keep it that way. The only things that I don't like about it are the holes they drill and that the car will drip oil for a few days after the treatment.

You should wash your undercarriage and check the wheel wells... that's where rust often starts.

sctRota

iTrader: (2)

Daily drove my fc for 5 years all year round and through the ice storm
Vert fc's are so easy to drive as they are a tad heavier than the hardtop counterparts. I would recommend some 15" snows such as a 185/60/15 setup for a hardtop as they are lighter and this would allow the weight to be forced more directly onto the road. Also you can either sandbag the trunk or wait till Walmart has a special for a buck for a case of water and buy 5-6 and line them up in there until. I'd watch in case if it gets too cold or that water will freeze but oh well.

If you can, turn the boost down and make sure you "roll" everywhere you go and not come to a complete stop unless at a stop sign or so. For rust I would use a drip coat style of rust proof if don't wash it a lot or get a dry style if you can wash it weekly. And ALWAYS, let it warm up properly. Because things such as the manual OMP can get frozen, you want to make sure it warms up correctly without issues.

I will be using the fd through the winter so I tend to follow the same except for my wheels as I cannot fit 15's I have my old fc tire setup for winter still in my storage if you need them. I'm just hoping I can find an fc for the winter as everything else seems so damn expensive to insure on my name except these damn FC's

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

You know, for what it would cost you for a good set of snows (and rims, if you don't have some already), you can probably buy a cheap winter beater. A quick search on Calgary Kijiji found a little over 1500 vehicles listed with asking prices below $1500 - and prices tend to be high here - although you might still need to add winters to whatever you get. Something like a Ford Taurus or old 626 - reasonably reliable cars that are fairly easy to repair and find parts for. Just a thought - winter is not kind to any car, and if your shell already has rust, it will end up with more, even if you get it oil-sprayed or otherwise undercoated.

Neo

iTrader: (4)

You're going to be driving the FD in the winter?!?!

that's crazy! Poor poor chassis...

Yeah, if you can avoid driving the car in the winter, by all means do so. The salt Canada uses to de-ice roads is infamous for devouring vehicles. Even after the first winter with no protection, the undercarriage of the vehicle will be a total wreck if you don't use any form of rust protection.

If you're going to experience Canadian winters, you absolutely need winter tires and Krown for rust protection.

I've daily driven my 08 PRHT Miata since I got it. Krown it every year. And I'm on my 3rd set of winter tires.
The Krown is the key to making the car live longer. My undercarriage is clean of rust.
I did go through the stock exhaust however. That's not something that can be helped. It's the only thing that cycles through alot of heat and cools down rapdily during the winter. Speeds up the rusting process.

IMO, you shouldn't be driving the FD in the winter. Even if you don't plan on keeping it around for long, a car like that shouldn't be exposed to the harshness of winter.

RXeckless

iTrader: (11)

my TII RX-7 Post #1 the op

but that's just as crazy!

IMHO get a beater.

sctRota

iTrader: (2)

I'll look, but so far the car I was going to pick up got sold -_- I have snows already "245/45/17" so that is fine. I wouldn't ever sell the fd unless my health reaches THAT point again
We have no snow as yet, so I'm not too worried atm. Besides, I drive only 5km a day. If it's really bad, I'll just bus to school. Someone sell me a cheap fc plz I'm serious unless I get this old M5 up and running

laobanh

Well it's a tough decision for me. I'm looking for an Acura EL/TL to trade for as a winter beater and if I part ways with my FC now, I'll only be importing a FD this summer.

I'm within reasonable busing distance from school/work/home, so really I'd only be pulling out the FC in snow if I plan to head out to the mall or something.

You wouldn't believe the price for winter beaters in my city, especially Hondas and Acuras. It's stupidly over priced, especially with the fake safeties they have, it apparently makes the price go up even more. But that's my experience.

I'm supposed to be checking out a '00 TL tomorrow, if all goes well I may be saying goodbye to my FC

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

So, go for something other than a Honda or Acura...?

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Winnipeg Transit Lol!

RXeckless

iTrader: (11)

Orangeville to Markham, save my 7 ,8 ?? looking for a short term piston lease. 24 months cheap!!! lol
sorry for my thread crapping in advance.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

I was waiting for someone to notice that the Bus is "Out of Service"!