How do I prepare my car for Alaska?

How do I prepare my car for Alaska?

These are easy actionable tips to winterize your car whether you live in Alaska or other extreme cold conditions….(Warning, it’s not cheap!)

1. Invest in Winter Tires.
2. Oil Change.
3. Under the Hood.
4. Battery Chargers and a Backup Battery Charger.
5. Winter Emergency Bag for Cars.
6. Other Alaska Posts.

How do you keep your car from freezing in Alaska?

Use silicone spray or rubber care such as Gummi Pledge to lubricate window weather stripping. This will keep it from freezing or breaking down in the harsh cold. Lubricate door locks, latches, and hinges to keep them from freezing and becoming inoperable.

How do I winterize my car in Fairbanks Alaska?

Here are additional ways you can winterize your vehicle:

1. Test your car battery.
2. Check wiper blades.
3. Inspect tire tread depth.
4. Check tire pressure levels.
5. Inspect coolant level.
6. Inspect motor oil.
7. Lubricate locks, latches, and door hinges.
8. Replace air filters.

Do you have to plug your car in in Alaska?

The Fairbanks North Star Borough recommends plugging in vehicles when the temperature dips below 20° F. But your car does not need to be plugged in all the time. If you did plug it in all of the time, your electric bill would skyrocket.

How can I keep my car warm in Alaska?

You can store your car in a heated garage to prevent it from getting cold. This will help prevent the engine, oil, and battery from getting too cold… Your battery will need to be connected to a block heater….

How do I keep my engine warm in the winter?

How to Keep an Engine Warm at Night

1. Store the vehicle in a heated garage. A heated garage will prevent the engine, oil and battery from getting too cold.
2. Attach your battery to a block heater.
3. Attach your engine to an engine preheater.
4. Attach a light under the hood.
5. Place an electric blanket over the engine.

Why do people in Alaska plug their cars in?

After a short pause she explained that Alaskan cars have a motor block heater. This heater serves to keep the engine and battery warm so the car would start when it is standing outside in negative temperatures (temperatures below -18oC). The extension cord wrapped around the hooks that are on top of the bumper.

Do you need a block heater in Anchorage?

Smith said an engine block heater not only eases wear and tear on the engine, it also helps the inside of a car warm up quicker. Plus engine block heaters are good for air quality, said Andria Cross, environmental health educator at the Anchorage Health Department.

When should I winterize my car?

If you live in a place that experiences extremely cold winter temperatures, it is recommended that you install winter tires when winterizing your car. When the temperature consistently hovers around or below freezing, the rubber compounds in non-winter tires harden, decreasing the tire’s ability to grip the road.

What is needed to winterize a car?

10 Steps to Winterize Your Car

• Inspect Your Tires.
• Fix Tire Pressure.
• Test the Battery.
• Change the Oil.
• Add Proper Coolant.
• Check Belts and Hoses.
• Choose AWD or 4WD.
• Monitor Brakes.

How do I winterize my car?

11 WAYS TO WINTERIZE YOUR CAR FOR WINTER DRIVING SAFETY

1. HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICED FOR WINTER CONDITIONS.
2. SWITCH TO WINTER TIRES.
3. MAINTAIN TIRE PRESSURE.
4. CHECK FOR CHANGING TEMPERATURES THAT COULD AFFECT TRACTION.
5. INSTALL WINTER WIPERS.
6. KEEP WASHER FLUID FULL.
7. PACK A WINTER SAFETY KIT.
8. KEEP THE GAS TANK AT LEAST HALF FULL.

When should I change my tires in Alaska?

Newbie Tidbit: Summer tires go on in May, winter tires go on late September, early October. Yes, you read that right – two sets of tires! Some vehicles can get away with one set of tires for both seasons, but most drivers in Alaska have two sets. It’s no secret that you should have your oil changed on the regular.

Do you have a winter emergency bag for Alaska?

I also recommend having a Winter Emergency Bag for your car. You will be glad you packed this if you are ever stuck in a snow storm or go off the road. If you want a look back on that first winter in Alaska, read this post.

Do you need studded tires in Alaska?

In Alaska, salt is not allowed to be put down on the roads to melt ice or snow. If the salt were to get into our waterways it would mess up the salmon. Don’t mess with the salmon!!! For those newbies that live up in the mountains or in remote areas of Alaska, even if it is Hillside in Anchorage, go with the studded tires.

Do you have a winter emergency bag for your car?

I also recommend having a Winter Emergency Bag for your car. You will be glad you packed this if you are ever stuck in a snow storm or go off the road.