Winterizing your car:

[panzer dragoon]

The number 1 thing I like to do is use fully synthetic motor oil, goto a much lighter conventional oil, or use Castrol Syntec (a cracked conventional oil = smaller particles + additives) With the Intrigue I always run Mobile #1, so this isn't an issue.

#2 Check that radiator fluid and float all those balls. Good for -40 Deg F. Nobody wants a cracked aluminum engine block on an engine that cannot be rebuilt. Unsure if the Intrigue engine has freeze plugs and if they would even work (pop out before block would crack). =It's not just your radiator that you would need to replace, coolant pump etc.

#3 Tires: Since the Intrigue is FWD, think about rotating those little used rear tires and put them in the front. Think about getting some winter tires, Nokians (a very soft an sticky rubber, but they don't last long 10k-20k-40k max) or studs (if legal) are good also. Check the air pressure in those tires, I have noticed that some places are selling nitrogen for inflating tires now (heavier than air and won't leak the typical 5% a month air does). You want tires that are deep, have good gaps, side sipes, and a softer compound = not BFG T/A types. Most touring tires are surprisingly decent in snow now = tires are flexible (good stick) and the rubber lasts long.

#4 Keep the gas tank more than 1/4 full. = less freeze-ups.

#5 Make sure the heater works before winter. If you only have one fan setting left (the others burned out) now is the time to fix it.

#6 Alignment: If your car has a hard time traveling straight now, it will be at least 3x worse with snow/ice. Even worse with crappy uneven tires due to the mis-alignment. A good time to check those brakes also.

#7 Change the window washer fluid to a mix that does not freeze up. Once it's frozen it's hard to unfreeze those jets.

#8 Powder graphite those locks so they don't freeze up (not necessary for cars with the GM pass-lock system - do some Intrigues not have this?) If a lock does freeze-up I have heated a key with a microtorch (and inserted it after heating) and it seems to work every time. For Mastertype locks I have heated those up also (the whole lock) -then bring it inside to dry out and WD40 it (to get the water out) and oil it.

#9 Get the snowblower ready = or else the car stays home.

#10 Find a good plastic scraper and brush for those windows.

[kay4414]

very nice list! i don't use synthetic oil myself, but i will be getting an oil change soon. you could use check other fluids like the power steering, i just changed the fluid today and it made a huge difference. also make sure the a/c works, need it to defrost the windows.

[kmohr3]

I always warm my car up for several minutes too, before driving. Especially when it gets to zero or below. Much easier on the engine and trans. When I used to work at the dealer we used to get a lot of pushed out front and rear crankshaft seals, etc.

[panzer dragoon]

I never warm my Intrigue up (unless I need the scraper). I start it and go. -No harsh accelerations for at least a minute or two. =Driving the car will warm it up.

My Dodge 440HP (440ci + HP block) Charger is a big engine and does take a minute to warm up even with synthetic. Higher performance engines take more of a warm-up)

Smart to warm the car up when the glass is full of ice + scraping. =Start the car up and start scraping the frost + ice off. The Intrigue heats up fairly fast due to it's large engine = keeps the windshield clean of condensation where a 4cylinder (say Dodge Omni) may not. Enjoy your large engines and heat (for the people up North).