To Tarp or NOT to tarp my dd against snow/ice???

I'd rather be driving my car in the snow rather than running it in the driveway, lol. But that's just me....

If you live in the South make sure to replace your windshield washer fluid with below freezing rated washer fluid.. The Summer stuff may freeze and crack the reservoir that holds it.. Washer Fluid reservoirs are surprisingly expensive to replace on most cars.. If you don't have washer fluid rated for sub zero temps. Dump in to it some type of alcohol, or if you have some old coolant sitting around put some in, it doesn't take much coolant as long as it isn't premixed.. Don't dump in beer (not enough alcohol content) or top shelf liquor (a waste of good booze)..

I thought straight Washer fluid is fine? I never mix mine anyway

I am going to tarp my truck someday but I don't really care about the paint or anything (DPO painted it flat black with rattle cans). I will be screwing some mount points in the body for the tarp that covers the hood, windshield and roof for a quick get in and go during a snow storm. It can take a while to get it cleared of snow.

mad_machine wrote: I thought straight Washer fluid is fine? I never mix mine anyway

You can get it both ways, with antifreeze and without. I've never seen the non-antifreeze type in Minnesota, but I've read about it being sold in southern states.

mad_machine wrote: I thought straight Washer fluid is fine? I never mix mine anyway

I use this bright green anti-bug windshield washer fluid in the summer. It's got ammonia in it, so it takes bug guts off really easily. But it's only rated to 32-F/0-C, so if you use it below freezing, it just makes a mess on your windshield.

Not worth the effort. Windshield washer fluid up here is rated to -45, you can melt ice with it. I usually buy a bunch of cheap ice scrappers (wood with plastic $1.99). Grab a new one when the old one wears out or breaks.

mad_machine wrote: I thought straight Washer fluid is fine? I never mix mine anyway

Not all washer fluid is created equal..

Here (Ontario) I can buy summer washer fluid which takes care of bugs, dirt, oil, and provides beading action if it does rain (no wipers on at highway speed).. That stuff is great above freezing..

Below freezing, it is a gamble as to whether it will freeze up and crack you reservoir.. You don't want your reservoir to crack since it can be an expensive replacement...

For winter I use winter washer fluid, the colder it's rating the better.. The temp rating is only meant for not freezing up in your reservoir.. In practice, if you spray it on your windshield at really low temps, especially if your windshield is cold. It may freeze on your windshield, even when stopped if there is a bit of wind. It is not as bad once the inside of the car warms up.

When driving keep in mind that alcohol can evaporate quickly therefore the washer fluid sprayed on your windshield can quickly lose it's (alcohol) therefore it's temperature rating (ability to not freeze).

In really cold temps, I dump in a container of gas line antifreeze to keep it from obscuring my vision at highway speeds..