Preparing our EX for winter

[Hono]

This morning at 5:05 a.m. EDT marked the arrival of the autumnal equinox and the official start of the fall season (astronomically speaking) which means winter is just around the corner and snow is already falling in parts of the US upper mid-west and most of Canada. Consequently, IMO the time had come to prepare our EX for winter...

Since this is the first winter for Wallaby (our EX's name---Wally for short) I ventured down to the condo's parking garage early this morning for a little heart-to-heart talk with Wally to prepare him for the rigors of our upcoming Waikiki winter...

Started the winter prep off by patting Wally on the dash and telling him winter weather was coming soon so I was here to prepare him for it. I then proceeded to tell Wally that he'd no longer be basking in summer daytime temperatures in the mid-80's. Instead he'd now have to deal with much colder winter temperatures in the upper- to mid-70's dayside. Then I told Wally that at night there wouldn't be any more mid-70's either since even in the concrete heat-sink of Waikiki winter nights drop down into the very low-70's. Worse, during one of our infamous cold snaps around the end of February, 68 degrees---or even a hypothermia-inducing 67---is not totally unheard of at night just before the sun pops back up over the beach and bars of Waikiki...

Since there was no mention of studded snow tires, engine block heaters, tire chains, corrosive road salt or ice scrapers, Wally seemed to take his being prepared for winter pretty well. So I gave him another pat and continued on mentioning that winter is also our wet season and even here on the dry leeward side of Oahu at times it can drizzle warm rain off and on for 3 or 4 days. That probably wouldn't win points with tourists plunking down $500 a night for a hotel room across the street, but Wally has his own private stall in a nice dry, secure, covered parking garage. Consequently, that part of our winter prep discussion didn't seem to upset him very much either. Suspect he's already learned that his owners, being unemployed, seldom venture out for a drive in the rain or at rush hour...

Lastly, I warned Wally that winter brings gaggles of hopelessly lost tourists (especially cabin fever-crazed Canadians) careening around Waikiki in unfamiliar rental cars that they don't seem to know how to drive. And in the winter there is also an influx of tourists from countries with left-hand traffic who occasionally putter down the wrong side of the road in search of a Starbucks or a Gucci handbag sale. I also warned Wally he may have to hibernate part of the winter since oft times the wife and I grow weary of the blustery wet Waikiki winter weather, disconnect the car battery and snowbird off to Oz (where the seasons are reversed) for a month or three of beer drinking in warmer weather down under...

All in all it was a bit of an effort on my part, but I sure feel much better now that our EX has been totally prepared for winter. Hope the rest of you have already done likewise for your EX... Hono

[XIS]

I can't wait for 'winter' in the desert. 107 F here yesterday...
Just like you, as soon as it cools down here - gaggles and gaggles of snowbirds flock here from the cold cities...


Stay warm!

[CDNicecube]

Haaaaa winter....

Long winter drives in -20c (-5f) weather, at night, alone on the highway. Driving by the glare of the full moon while snow flakes dance in front of the car, lit by the EX's xenon powerful lights and classic rock playing on the Bose system. The engine pulling powerfully, breathing the freezing cold air. The trees branches heavy with snow, cracking from the weight. Donuts in empty parking lots. Tires biting the snow and the surrounding winter sounds muffled. 6AM hockey practices; my boys (or girl) and I spending quality time at Star buck (or Tim Horton's) over a hot cup of coffee /hot chocolate following these early morning hockey practices - just talking about life, school, friends...

I love winter. Would not trade it for anything :-)

Ice
(PS. My wife does not love winter : give her +90f anytime and she is happy).

[TimGinCentralNJ]

Well Hono....I **wish** I could feel badly for you, but alas....

....I do not

As for me, I will actually be doing some REAL winter prep since last winter in NJ was absolutely crazy snow-wise (which I actually like being originally from New England). I just switched over to full synthetic motor oil, so the one remaining thing I'll be doing is investing in some new tires since mine are the orig Michelins which came on the car and now have 51k on them. They still have probably 4/32" of tread left which has been fine on wet roads this summer, but they will not get me around in the white stuff for sure.

I'll fire up some pics once I get them ordered and mounted. Give my best to "Wally" and try to hang in there during your difficult, horrid weather conditions.....lol

Cheers,
Tim

[Hono]

Well Hono....I **wish** I could feel badly for you, but alas....

....I do not

As for me, I will actually be doing some REAL winter prep since last winter in NJ was absolutely crazy snow-wise (which I actually like being originally from New England). I just switched over to full synthetic motor oil, so the one remaining thing I'll be doing is investing in some new tires since mine are the orig Michelins which came on the car and now have 51k on them. They still have probably 4/32" of tread left which has been fine on wet roads this summer, but they will not get me around in the white stuff for sure.

I'll fire up some pics once I get them ordered and mounted. Give my best to "Wally" and try to hang in there during your difficult, horrid weather conditions.....lol

Cheers,
Tim

Can feel your pain---18 years spent growing up in the twin cities area left ghastly "winter scars" that persist to this very day. Can assure you that "Wally" will never have to live through that if I can help it...