Cold weather ??'s - First winter with my 4Runner

[4x4runner91]

This will be my first winter with a 4Runner and I would like to see if anyone has any information that make starting and driving my 2nd gen 4Runner as easy as possible. I already have noticed some transmission issues that occur if I try to drive it with out it warming up. Is there anything I need to do to winterize/cold proof my truck before it gets too late? I'm in Alabama so the weather is unpredictable. Could be low of 40 one night and 25 the next....but i don't expect it to go below 20 anytime soon. thanks in advance

 

[Ulfr]

This will be my first winter with a 4Runner and I would like to see if anyone has any information that make starting and driving my 2nd gen 4Runner as easy as possible. I already have noticed some transmission issues that occur if I try to drive it with out it warming up. Is there anything I need to do to winterize/cold proof my truck before it gets too late? I'm in Alabama so the weather is unpredictable. Could be low of 40 one night and 25 the next....but i don't expect it to go below 20 anytime soon. thanks in advance

I guess, that unless it's reachin' below freezen' you don't have to do much... Perhaps check what oil you have on the tranny? Is it an auto or manual? If it's manual you could try puttin' 75W-90 or 70W-90 instead of 80W (if you are usin' 80 that is...).

But as long as it's not gettin' below freezin' point I wouldn't be too skeptic 'bout it...
(I never worry 'bout these things unless it's below freezing, 32 fahrenheit, right?)

But if you wanna be cautious, and think it's gonna go below zero... (err... 32 fahreneit), you might wanna put 5W-40 on your motor, 70/75W-90 on the diffs and tranny (if it's manual that is), Antifreeze thingy in your fuel tank, check the radiator's antifreeze, put silicone on ALL RUBBER, to avoid doors bein' stuck and rear window and stuff...

Read the thread 'bout winter stuff to keep in your truck, shovels, clothin' and all that stuff....

Hope this stuff help any, (I know I kinda like the word 'stuff')
Cheers, and happy freezin' (I know I'm glad the snow is here, with all the troubles that come with that in Iceland... lol)

 

[n8buddy]

a good block heater is all you really need.

 

[fourwd1]

... I already have noticed some transmission issues that occur if I try to drive it with out it warming up. ...

You didn't say what those issues are

But if it is that the tranny isn't shifting into OD until the engine warms up, that's normal.

 

[Colorado Dan]

You're in Alabama... What exactly is there for winter down there? I didn't think you got snow/ice, but if you did I wouldn't worry too much since global warming will help with that.<br><br>
It can go below 0 here in CO, but I only keep fluids up to date and warm her up a little in the morning.

 

[ronbo613]

It's in the teens to 30's at night here in the PacNW, sometimes it will snow more than a foot in 24 hours, that's coming soon, the snow usually hangs around until May or June. I use my 4Runner mostly to drive up to the local ski resort.
Use a 50-50 mix of antifreeze/water in the cooling system, make sure the heater works and keep an ice scraper in the vehicle.
On cold mornings, I usually let my truck warm up for about ten minutes, mostly to get the defroster working.
I'm with Colorado Dan, what exactly is winter in Alabama? I camped out overnight in the parking lot at WolfCreek, CO when it was -35F, that's a little nippy. The gear oil in my manual tranny was a little thick on that day.

 

[4x4runner91]

Not much snow here....but winter here is weird. High of 60F one day , low of 35F...next day high of 40 and low of 10. Its unpredictable down here. But its not so bad Oct-Dec. January- March seems to be the worst.