Not that I think any of the advice given so far is invalid, but some of it is overkill in your case.

I grew up in upstate NY (Albany and North) and lived there until I moved to Minnesota 5 years ago and have had several 240s and 740s which all parked outside and drove every day.

Use bags of sand or kitty litter for weight in your trunk. Golf clubs can't be used to put under your wheels for traction if you get yourself stuck on ice. (Well, I guess they could.) Salt may leak out of its bag and get down where you can't get it out; eventually rusting you out from the inside. A couple of small pieces (2'x2') of carpet can also be very helpful in getting unstuck, so throw them in your trunk too.

I have never had an engine block heater and never had a problem starting even when the temps were 20 below and lower. Lawn Gisland seldom even gets below zero.

Do check your antifreeze if you know it was changed in the last two years and if you don't know, just change it. Same goes for the hoses. Cheap insurance.

I don't think "winter" wiper blades are really better, but I do suggest getting new ones and putting the old ones in the trunk. If the ice (or more likely, you removing the ice) breaks one, you have a spare to put on immediately until you can get another new one.

Lubing your locks and door gaskets is a good idea. You should have jumper cables all year round anyway. Get a big scraper you can use two hands on with a snow brush at the other end.

If you haven't driven in slippery conditions much, go to an empty parking lot and "play" at the first oprrortunity after a snowstor. Learn how the car behaves in response to what you do. Rear wheel drive is different, but it isn't worse if you train yourself to use it.

Enjoy the snow and your brick!




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Andy in St. Paul. '89 244 160K mi, '91 745 209K, '91 745 213K