It's that time of year again, our 3rd winter in Haugtuft and we've learnt that it pays to be prepared for whatever the winter throws at you. Up where we live it's been down below -20 C and we've had at most a couple of metres of snow on the ground. I havn't managed to get my garage well enough insulated and heated yet so winter fixing is strictly of the neccessary kind only.
So, when the sun shone and the temperatures were up nearly to the dizzy heights of +10 C this weekend I set to work getting the fleet ready for the winter. I decided, as I have lost track on the Antifreeze front that a full coolant change was due on all vehicles, better safe than sorry. So I bought a 25L barrel of anti-freeze and set to work, first the Zetor which also had a trip down to the local petrol station for a fill up of Fuel, best to leave tanks full to avoid condensation inside the tank. As the nieghbour does all the snow ploughing, I use the tractor(s) very little through the winter. Then the Landy and Suzuki.
Then the Volvo, this was also awaiting an Oil change so I got that done at the same time. In addition to coolent, I also took the oppurtunity to bolt the winter tyres on. You are not allowed to change to studded tyres before the 1st of November (unless it snows before then!) and whilst there is no sign of snow in the immediate future it pays to be ahead of the game. The first day of snow is chaos, both on the roads and in the tyre shops. If you come to bolt your studded boots on that day and one of them's got a puncture you can forget getting it fixed in a hurry. So, thinking ahead we got 2 new goodyears for the front last week as the old ones had lost a few too many studs. For the appreiciation of those in the UK, here's what real mans tyres look like and one of the reasons why the UK grinds to a halt when it snows but Norway doesn't. I think if the UK was given the alternative of shelling out on an extra set of wheels and studded tyres they'd opt for two days of chaos every other winter...
Last, but certainly not least, was the Spitfires turn. No winter tyres for that, as much fun as it would be out on the snow and ice, it's not going anywhere near the roads as long as the long as there is any hint of salt about. But a coolant change was in order.
Followed by a trip down to fill up with petrol and a quick apin out in the country to take advantage of what may be the last opportunity to drive it before the spring.
And Yes, I know it needs a wash, that'll be next weekend weather permitting...
The Landy doesn't get winter tyres either. It's got all year round non studded mud and snows on, which with the addition of 4wd as required work fine through the winter. The Suzuki's also got M and S tyres, but it has 2 sets, more winter and less winter! I'll probably change those next weekend, no major issue if it snows before i get round to that though