Surviving the Winters!

Hey All!

 

I'm new to the forum, but not new to Subaru. I came from i-club but since I recently purchased a '13 Legacy 2.5 Limited--I needed to migrate to a new home!

 

My first post and first question(s) is around surviving the winters out here on the East Coast! I live in Hoboken for reference...I recently moved from San Francisco and have never experienced snow before (besides the occasional trip to Tahoe, etc.).

 

What are some things to consider for the winter? Apologies in advance if some of the things I am asking seem extreme or crazy for the actual elements I will be facing.

 

Different windshield wipers for ice?

Battery heater?

Engine block heater?

I'm assuming different tires...do most people have two sets or what do you guys do? Please keep in mind that I live in an apt. and do not have access to a garage or storage spot...

Rallyarmor mud flaps?

Rubber floor mats?

Fluids? Should I consider different fluids for the cold?

 

Thanks!

winter tires and an ice scraper and shovel. the car will do the rest. everything else you listed is optional.

Welcome to the forum!

 

#1. Wipers are covered under the 3/36 wear and tear. Don't worry about something different...just have your dealer replace them if they wear out before said time frame.

 

#2 and #3. If you live in an apartment, you most likely don't have a way to run an extension cord anyway. Unless you live where it get below -20 degrees or so, I wouldn't sweat it.

 

#4. Real snow tires make a HUGE difference! Ideally, two sets of wheels/tires is the best/ most convenient.

 

#5. Rallyarmor flaps are good, if you like that looks.

 

#6. WeatherTech Digifit Floor Liners ROCK! Nothing comes close. Spend the money, thank me later.

 

#7. Don't worry about changing any fluids for the cold, just follow the owners manual to the letter.

 

BTD.

Thanks guys!

 

Any good tire recommendations? Stock rims.

Since storage space limited, consider Continental Extreme Contact DWS UHP all-season tires. I have done well with these in the winter to include heavy snows in these Colorado mountain passes. Have been thru 3 winters and 40K miles. I will probably be getting another set of these for this upcoming winter. Happy with warm weather performance as well.

Whatever Blizzak fits your stock size.

First: Welcome to the forum!

 

Second: Welcome to NJ!

 

The more important stuff. If you are planning on running 2 sets of tires, I suggest it and live just up the river from you in Edgewater, put the snows on the stockers and get some nice summers on upgraded rims. If you want to run a single tire year round, go for the Continental DWS, great bang for the buck on them. Snows I like the Nokians or Blizzaks both will work well around here. Wipers, I like the Bosh Evolutions, great wipers and better than what the dealer will keep replacing for you.

 

Battery heater? No need

 

Engine block heater? No need

 

Rallyarmor mud flaps? Not a bad idea, but the look isn't for everyone.

 

Rubber floor mats? Subaru Winter ones are good, I've heard good things about the Weathertech ones as well.

 

Fluids? Should I consider different fluids for the cold? I would do some upgraded fluids (but not because of winter)

 

Lastly, we are about 20 min from Hoboken, located in Kenilworth, definitely think about stopping by and hanging out some time!

 

-Mike Paisan

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.

Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

If I was that close, that's one offer I would not miss.

 

Make sure you stop by and and get some guidance.

First: Welcome to the forum!

 

Second: Welcome to NJ!

 

The more important stuff. If you are planning on running 2 sets of tires, I suggest it and live just up the river from you in Edgewater, put the snows on the stockers and get some nice summers on upgraded rims. If you want to run a single tire year round, go for the Continental DWS, great bang for the buck on them. Snows I like the Nokians or Blizzaks both will work well around here. Wipers, I like the Bosh Evolutions, great wipers and better than what the dealer will keep replacing for you.

 

Battery heater? No need

 

Engine block heater? No need

 

Rallyarmor mud flaps? Not a bad idea, but the look isn't for everyone.

 

Rubber floor mats? Subaru Winter ones are good, I've heard good things about the Weathertech ones as well.

 

Fluids? Should I consider different fluids for the cold? I would do some upgraded fluids (but not because of winter)

 

Lastly, we are about 20 min from Hoboken, located in Kenilworth, definitely think about stopping by and hanging out some time!

 

-Mike Paisan

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.

Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

 

Mike,

 

Thanks for the response and invite to the shop! I will DEFINITELY stop bye! Good to know there is a local shop to turn to! I used to go to GST Motorsports back in the Bay Area, but I wasn't sure what I was going to do out here!

 

Thanks!

Mike,

 

Thanks for the response and invite to the shop! I will DEFINITELY stop bye! Good to know there is a local shop to turn to! I used to go to GST Motorsports back in the Bay Area, but I wasn't sure what I was going to do out here!

 

Thanks!

 

Oh and did I mention we have 2 race seat setups in our lounge for X-box to race head to head with?

 

 

-mike

Oh and did I mention we have 2 race seat setups in our lounge for X-box to race head to head with?

 

 

-mike

 

Your on.

Vermont perspective here, but dedicated snows and a block heater (assuming the car isn't garaged) would be my 2 necessities.

Here's a question about tires...

 

What have you guys found to be the most economical, keep two sets of tires and use the stock rims or two sets of tires and rims?

 

It may be a dumb question, but do shops out here in the NJ area even swap used tires?

In the long run, two complete sets of wheels and tires is the most economical.

Here's a question about tires...

 

What have you guys found to be the most economical, keep two sets of tires and use the stock rims or two sets of tires and rims?

 

It may be a dumb question, but do shops out here in the NJ area even swap used tires?

 

We will do it but it's far more economical to have 2 sets since swapping tires runs >$100/set usually. Do that more than 2 years and you paid for a set of rims.

 

-Mike Paisan

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.

Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

In the long run, two complete sets of wheels and tires is the most economical.

Especially since TireRack has 17" steelies for the '10+ LGTs. I didn't bother with TPMS sensors on mine; my inspection is due in October every year and it always has the stock rims on it at that time.

I just transplanted from the Bay Area too. I went from San Jose to Pittsburgh with similar snow experience (just trips to Tahoe/Reno). There are a good number of posts by OCDetails that I've read about winter care. Not sure if they'll address exactly the questions you had, but there's some good info from him.