Necessary Preparations to Car for Snow/Low temps?

Originally Posted by sammk

I would highly recommend replacing the washer fluid just to be safe. My E46 was a California car and the first winter that I had it, the washer promptly froze up. My E92 is a California car as well, and the local dealer here in Michigan filled the washer tank after the warning lamp came on. This was towards the end of summer, and guess, what - these guys are the most competent dealer I've had and they put summer grade washer in the car, Michigan and everything. A couple months later, when temperatures dropped, the washer froze and took the tank, seal and solenoid out. Everything was covered under warranty, and I had them fill the OE washer concentrate mixed per the OE dilution chart. Lesson is, using the wrong washer is a mistake even a competent person can make, and the resulting hassle is not worth it..

Want to hear a funny story? A friend had put tap water in the radiator in his ford taurus in summer and forgot about it. The first snow in CO, in October, it froze and head gasket went kaput. We went and bought him a 2007 audi a4 with extended warranty just in case he does something stupid like that again. Small mistake cost him a lot of money, lol. We still give him hard time, asking him if he is still using tap water in the radiator in his new audi.

hope you werent in that 60 car pile up OP.