ISF Winter Prep for a newb
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 574
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From: Texas - DFW Area
ISF Winter Prep for a newb
So we recently moved to Madison Wisconsin from Texas (the ISF is a rare breed up here) and I am a little nervous about the up coming winter months as we have not been through it before. I have done some searching of the forum and got some good info on winter preping the car.
Here is my list, the car is a daily driver mind you.
Wash, Clay bar, couple of coats of sealer and then couple of coats of wax to prep the paint.
Good set of snow tires on all four corners.
Is there any kind of undercaot, wax spray I can have done to save the underside from salt damage?
Any other necessary engine or other prep for the cold temps?
With snow tires, TC on, and careful driving how will she do in the snow?
Any help to calm my fears is greatly appreciated.
Here is my list, the car is a daily driver mind you.
Wash, Clay bar, couple of coats of sealer and then couple of coats of wax to prep the paint.
Good set of snow tires on all four corners.
Is there any kind of undercaot, wax spray I can have done to save the underside from salt damage?
Any other necessary engine or other prep for the cold temps?
With snow tires, TC on, and careful driving how will she do in the snow?
Any help to calm my fears is greatly appreciated.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: IL
I am not sure about the undercoat prep.. Ive lived in the midwest my whole life and never worried about that stuff.
As per snow tires, they work well, you def can get through most anything. Our winter last year was super mild. The few times I tried my blizzaks out, they got me all around. Better than AWD cars on all season tires.
As per snow tires, they work well, you def can get through most anything. Our winter last year was super mild. The few times I tried my blizzaks out, they got me all around. Better than AWD cars on all season tires.
Here is what I would suggest:
You have the paint thing down...although I wouldn't clay it. I would just wax it.
I would highly highly suggest getting a clear bra (check out InvisibleMask .com), as it has saved my black IS-F plenty of times.
I have OEM Lexus G-Spider wheels with Blizzaks on them..they work great.
The underside of the IS-F has many plastic covers and deflectors on it, so its pretty much covered underneath.
Wash it as much as you can in the Winter...Dont let salt stay on the paint when its over freezing temps...the oxidation is actually stopped at colder temps...its when you park it in a warm garage...water melts taking the salt with it and it gets into smaller places. I believe WI uses more sand than salt.
In spring I would clay, polish, seal and Wax.
Also look into using Optinum No Rinse (see one of my threads on it)....
Besides that you will be fine!!!
You have the paint thing down...although I wouldn't clay it. I would just wax it.
I would highly highly suggest getting a clear bra (check out InvisibleMask .com), as it has saved my black IS-F plenty of times.
I have OEM Lexus G-Spider wheels with Blizzaks on them..they work great.
The underside of the IS-F has many plastic covers and deflectors on it, so its pretty much covered underneath.
Wash it as much as you can in the Winter...Dont let salt stay on the paint when its over freezing temps...the oxidation is actually stopped at colder temps...its when you park it in a warm garage...water melts taking the salt with it and it gets into smaller places. I believe WI uses more sand than salt.
In spring I would clay, polish, seal and Wax.
Also look into using Optinum No Rinse (see one of my threads on it)....
Besides that you will be fine!!!
Used my F for two winters and I am now using an SUV for winter..go figure. ISFs are not great in snow or ice even with snow tires. They behave like any other rear wheel drive car. On icy uphill/downhill slopes, snow tires will not be much help. You will need 4 wheel or front wheel drive. If you live where your F has to climb up on icy road...get an SUV or a winter front wheel drive beater.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 574
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From: Texas - DFW Area
Thanks for the help guys, we are only going to be up north for a winter or two and then will be headed back to Texas (work). If we were going to be here longer I would go the awd/suv route but we just need to make due for a simple winter or two. We live in the city so the roads should be plowed regularly. I am actually more concerned about the other idiots on the road than mine or my wife's driving abilities.
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Definitely have the thing sprayed if you live in an area with heavy salt/sand usage like up here in toronto. The one problem that the F has like other sports cars is how low it is. I got caught in a snowbank the first year i had it. After rocking the thing back and forth about 10 times to get it out i realized that i tore off half of my engine under cover. Not fun...
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