Bushwalk Australia

This is actually a request for tips on driving and parking your car above the snow line as I’m not an expert in this so feel free to add tips (or corrections).

I was busy reading a post (Mt Featherwinter ascent http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=14136) and all these great tips were embedded in the post so I thought it might help people (myself included) if I summarised everyone’s tips in one place as a handy reference.

Before you go

• Make sure you have snow chains (or appropriate tires)
• Check if your car needs antifreeze added to the coolant
• Use winter grade oil if you have an old car or you may have to crawl under the car with a stove to thaw out the sump
• Use water repellent surface coating Raincote on the windscreen to make it easier to clean (http://www.infolink.com.au/c/Adcrete-Industries/Adcrete-Industries-RAINCOTE-water-repellent-surface-coating-n904843)
• Wipe a bit of cooking oil on your door seals because if water gets in the seals can freeze shut and it really is hard to get them open when they do

Parking

• When there is a choice always park facing down hill (to allow a rolling start) but don't park on a steep hill
• Turn your wheels toward the gutter as well if parallel parked
• Do not use the handbrake as these can freeze solid
• If you're car isn't automatic and therefore doesn't have a transmission lock, take some wood blocks to chock your wheels
• Put chains on when you park the car as it's much easier to remove them than fit them, especially if there is a meter of old snow everywhere
• Door locks can become full of ice so tape up with masking tape
• Rubber of the windscreen wipers can freeze to the glass so put wipers in bags OR just swing them out off the window as the springs in them will hold them out there off the glass

Take with you on your adventures

• Shovel
• Soft bristle brush for clearing snow off your car
• Ice scraper for clearing snow and ice off your windscreen
• Bag of bag of sand or wood ash

When you get back to your car

• Wipe snow off the roof of the car and work your way downwards, eg. windscreen, bonnet
• Once your car is cleared of snow, put some sand or wood ash around the tires to give you grip when you start the car

Some other sites worth looking at:
http://www.wikihow.com/Dig-out-Your-Car-After-a-Snow-Storm
http://mylittlenorway.com/2008/11/parking-in-the-snow-the-basics/
http://www.mthotham.com.au/travel/road/driving/

And just for fun… http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4841811/warden-gives-parking-ticket-to-car-made-of-snow.html

I seriously would not be worried here in Australia with your car. I used/owned a car in both the US and Canada ( in the Arctic - Alaska/Yukon/NWT/Nunavut) down to -60c. I also lived in Alberta, British Columbia . First of all, just use a oil rated to say -10c, and for windscreens, just use a commercial washer fluid that has some kind of antifreeze formula in it.
Unless we have a serious record freeze for a length of time - there is nothing you really have to prepare for.
I can tell you stories of snapped off door handles, broken/snapped door wiring and brakes that were virtually un-workable, and tires that were like wood - when I worked in Taloyoak, Nunavut - we got a brand new Ford Explorer XLT, but didn't have a garage to put it in at the time ( it was our Ambulance et al ) - didn't even last 1 Winter. The temps from November to March were between -20 to -60c, that beautiful 4WD was plugged in and pretty much sat idling with the engine on all day ( 5 days a week), until it died.
Here in NSW/VIC - just obviously get a more viscous temp rated oil. Coolant should be fine. Wiper fluid - use a low temp one.
Everything else you should be fine

Sim1oz this is the parking advise from the Mount Hotham web site

Parking

•Park only where directed. If you do not, you run the risk of another vehicle or snow clearing vehicle, running into what looks to the driver like just another drift of snow.
•Do not apply the handbrake: moisture can freeze the cables and brake linings.
•Leave the car in gear with the front wheels turned away from the slope.
•Always park as close to the bank as possible, to leave room for two-way traffic.
•Do not use rocks to chock wheels as they may damage snow clearing machines.
•Remove wheel chocks from parking area when leaving.
•Even if chains were not required to enter the area, it is advisable to fit them when parking. It is much easier than trying to fit them later for the return trip if weather conditions change or the vehicle is snowbound.
•Cover the radiator to help prevent freezing.
•Periodically clear snow from on and around the vehicle.

http://www.mthotham.com.au/travel/road/driving/

Add:

If the vehicle is Diesel, fill up with Alpine Diesel before heading up the hill. Standard Diesel may 'wax' at alpine temps.

What is waxing and why does it occur in diesel products?
All diesel fuels contain wax molecules. These are natural components of the
crude oil that diesel is produced from. Wax is considered an important diesel
component because of its high cetane value (for good ignition quality of the fuel).
However, in severe winter conditions especially in inland or high country areas,
the diesel may get cold enough for the wax to start to crystallise (solidify). If
enough wax crystals solidify, the fuel lines, filters and strainers in diesel powered
engines and machinery may become blocked and as a result may become
difficult or impossible to start and operate. This phenomenon is known as
“waxing”

(From Caltex PDF)

Or park below the snowline and take a bus up.

Also called "Rain-X" and a sheet of cardboard to put in front of the radiator for the first 20 minutes is sometimes very handy too. Did I mention having some rubber dishwashing gloves?

Although it is frowned upon some people put a mixture of kerosene and petrol into the diesel at a ratio of ~ 1:100 if they have summer diesel in the tank

A bit obvious, but I may not have thought of it myself and it was useful - park into strong wind if relevant/possible so as to avoid the door being damaged when opened. Of course not just relevant in winter/snow, but that's when we've usually had the issue.