Prep the Patrol for the snow

[Ajwood]

Hi all
I need advice on how to prepare the Diesel engine for cold climate of mt hotham. How do I know whether the coolant has anti freeze? And do I need to fill up with alpine fuel?

Thanks
Woody

[BillsGU]

Hi all
I need advice on how to prepare the Diesel engine for cold climate of mt hotham. How do I know whether the coolant has anti freeze? And do I need to fill up with alpine fuel?

As long as your coolant is green / red / blue it should be OK for Hotham. If in doubt just put an old sack over the radiator of a night. You WILL NEED ALPINE FUEL!!! Get it at the servo in Bright on the way up, just make sure your tank is near empty when you get there. You can also get a fuel additive from garages up here (Winteriser) which will prevent waxing due to cold weather.

When you park your car try and leave the handbrake off as the pads freeze to the drum/disks, and also lift your wiper blades clear of the windscreen as the rubber freezes to the window and tears off when you try and move them. Also remember to carry chains and practice FITTING THEM AT HOME!! I see many newbees with no idea trying to fit chains in a blizzard - which at times don't fit as they are the wrong size. If you hire them make sure they show you how to fit them. Ray's Hire at Myrtleford are excellent.

Enjoy your time - you will have great fun ....................

[nissannewby]

Make sure the heater works :)

[BigRAWesty]

Just a question, would mud tyres be better than ATR's on bitumen in the snow, or do they all suffer the same from black ice?

Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[Bloodyaussie]

Mate I went driving last year and camped as well for 3 days and everyday we stopped and set up camp I put a blanket then a tarp over the bonnet while the engine was hot, when I woke in the morning the temp under the bonnet was so much warmer than outside and even with fridge and lights and stuff going the car fired straight away with no problems..

It would have to get frickin cold for you to freeze your cooling system with the right coolant?

[patrolmq]

Just a question, would mud tyres be better than ATR's on bitumen in the snow, or do they all suffer the same from black ice?

Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

chunky mud tyres with large gaps would be ideal for the snow, they break it up and dig in, without getting clogged up. When it comes to ice though, nothing can help, apart from tyres with steel studs which can dig into the ice. Chunky mud tyres may have a slightly better chance of gripping on some roughness in the ice if you are lucky. (I use to commute and 'play' in the snow every year in the UK).

[BigRAWesty]

chunky mud tyres with large gaps would be ideal for the snow, they break it up and dig in, without getting clogged up. When it comes to ice though, nothing can help, apart from tyres with steel studs which can dig into the ice. Chunky mud tyres may have a slightly better chance of gripping on some roughness in the ice if you are lucky. (I use to commute and 'play' in the snow every year in the UK).

Yea I have seen those studded tyres.. they look like some teenagers these days, like they gone c#!% up in a tackle box ay..

Did you get to try studded tyres in normal off road conditions aswell? I'm just wondering if people made playing in snow an often thing wether they could still get away with 1 play set. Or if you'd need 2 play sets, one for normal and one for snow..

Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[BillsGU]

chunky mud tyres with large gaps would be ideal for the snow, they break it up and dig in, without getting clogged up. When it comes to ice though, nothing can help, apart from tyres with steel studs which can dig into the ice. Chunky mud tyres may have a slightly better chance of gripping on some roughness in the ice if you are lucky. (I use to commute and 'play' in the snow every year in the UK).

I have spent a lot of time up in the snow and have only seen studded tyres on TV (a James Bond movie I think it was!!). Here in Oz we just use wheel chains. If you get the right ones for your wheels they work very well. Also, I doubt if you can use studded tyres on bitumen roads - which would make it a bit difficult getting to the snow and back.

[Wine_maker]

Take a look for a 3 easy rules for winter:
1. Always use alpine diesel fuel. If you can't find it use antigel adition to fuel (add it before filling diesel for better mixing). In extrem situation, you can add a little brake fluid into fuel, but its bad for plunger.
2. Always have full fuel tank.
3. Change fuel filter before cold season.

Some times our winter presents us -25, but mine troll always start normally.

[Winnie]

Is alpine fuel more expensive?

Trying to use Motorculture

[BillsGU]

Is alpine fuel more expensive?


ALL fuel up in the mountains is more expensive!! If you are worried about spending a few extra dollars on fuel - then DON'T go skiing. It is a VERY expensive activity. Prices for most things you buy in the resorts are higher than elsewhere, let alone lift tickets, ski hire, clothing hire, park entrance fee, accommodation .........................

[Winnie]

I have no intention of skiing. But going for snow trips in the high country? Hell yeah.

Trying to use Motorculture

[lhurley]

How much different is the snow prep for a diesel to a petrol/gas?? I am going to Mt Buller this year, and being a QLDer have never driven on snow. Have been twice before.

[fracster]

Our winters get real shitty.

If there is black ice on the road,nothing is gonna help you.4x4s slip just the same as any other cars if you are going too fast.Take your time,gentle breaking,gentle accelerating and gentle steering is needed when driving icy roads with other traffic on them.

Hooning around in the snowy fields or on empty roads is a totally different ball game.

Our diesel has winter additives in all year round,anti waxing agents. You can get cheap anti freeze testers off ebay, I run mine at 50/50 all year around,the antifreeze has anti rust stuff in it,so serves a purpose.

[Ajwood]

Thanks everyone for all advice. It's not looking good skiing yet.

[threedogs]

@ Winnie go to Lake mountain, if you just want to play in the stuff. Wont catch me there even though did make it down Bourke st in one hit.[Bulla]
While ago now but spent most my time making snow bunny traps in the Chalet LOL

Those studded tyres are more the fjord countries, Iceland,sweden etc, Got them for motor bikes too Spooky hey

[BillsGU]

How much different is the snow prep for a diesel to a petrol/gas?? I am going to Mt Buller this year, and being a QLDer have never driven on snow. Have been twice before.

You may have trouble starting it on gas in the morning - but switching to petrol will sort that out. Everything else is the same.

[lhurley]

You may have trouble starting it on gas in the morning - but switching to petrol will sort that out. Everything else is the same.

I can't start on gas anyway, switches automaticly. Does the petrol need an additive??

[taslucas]

I can't start on gas anyway, switches automaticly. Does the petrol need an additive??

Nah gotta get way way way below freezing for petrol to even think of icing up.

Edit: between minus 40 and minus 60 degrees depending on the purity
so far so good on motorculture