I had some black rubber mat that I cut to make a grill cover. It fits behind the grill as an insert so you can't see it. It helps to get the truck up to temp quickly. I know the short trips aren't good, but what should I look for or prepare for?
I spoke to a local and was told this is one of the worst winters they have seen in a long time. Last year we didn't have this much snow nor temps this low until Jan/Feb.
the last big extreme cold snap was in the 80's where it stayed -25F or colder for 1-2 weeks, btw those where the highs and we haven't had a snap like that since then.
unless its stays in the -20F to -30F for a long period (7+ days) I wouldn't put a blocker on the front grill or if you do, don't do full coverage, do like 50%. the best thing is to maintain your coolant at either 60/40, or in extremes 70/30. make sure your engine thermostat is working properly. get a block heater if your really want some added peace of mind. start and run the vehicle daily for jaunts greater than 20+ miles (helps to warm up all the fluids to get the moisture out of places it shouldn't be). in extreme cold snaps, I have been know to start the vehicle every 4-5 hours to idle around 15 minutes to maintain the battery.
now for driving outside of town, keep 1/2 tank of gas at all times. keep thick blankets in the back. keep candles with a metal coffee can. have candy/granola bars. container to melt snow to drink. cat litter (or in a pinch carpet mats). foldable shovel or regular sized. estimate time to arrival at destination (+2hrs) to give people a heads up in case something happens. try to stay on main highways/interstate (for cellphone coverage).
dig out the exhaust pipe if stuck in snow also headlights to flash someone that may see you. sparingly use the vehicle heater to save gas (use in conjunction with thick blankets/candle).
STAY WITH THE VEHICLE.
more people die in ND trying to walk to a house or to a main road and lose bearings and die in a snow bank.
those are just some of the major tips for ND winters if you drive around town or drive outside of your normal town.
also:
stay well behind a snow plow about to hit snow drifts or if you see a snow plow in the opposite direction about to hit a snow drift, the snow fog can reduce visibility to zero in an instant for up to 1/4 mile, trust me, you wont even be able to see the front of your hood. the snow plows around here hit snow drifts at 55mph and don't stop. people go in the ditch easy since they drift into the median or the shoulder cause they cant see.
just passing along info you learn after being here 25+ years.
edit: on the 20+ mile jaunts, I should refine that to 10+ miles or about 15-20 min drives. if you do a lot of short drives for <5 miles or 5-10 mins, you will be looking to get a new muffler since you will rot it out from all the moisture that condensates from the lack of a proper warm up.
:surfer:
