School me on cold weather living

[MysterYvil]

I grew up in Chicago.

Layers. I preferred a full length lined leather coat, sweater or now hoodie, shirt, t-shirt. Longjohns on the worst days.

Hat, scarf, gloves.

Never put flesh to metal.

Food, drink, and blankets in the vehicle. Cat litter for weight and traction. Surplus army shovel.

700+ CCA battery. Jumper cables. Antifreeze and no-freeze washer fluid.

Patience. Cold makes you rush, rushing sticks you out in the cold. Patience pays off in the end.

Mustache and beard. Chapstick. Hand lotion.

 

[My900ss]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_kinetics#Temperature

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_store_batteries

Cold temperature increases the internal resistance and lowers the capacity. A battery that provides 100 percent capacity at 27°C (80°F) will typically deliver only 50 percent at –18°C (0°F). The momentary capacity-decrease differs with battery chemistry.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/discharging_at_high_and_low_temperatures

Much like which oil is better, should I clean my cast iron pan with soapy water and a host of other topics. There will be differing opinions based on a variety of contributing factors. Point being in regards to this thread, if you are in an electric wheel chair and are moving to a cold climate, be aware that cold weather can, under certain conditions, decrease the performance you see from your batteries. As such plan accordingly.

 

[B-mtrd]

<<<<--- Currently living in the Boston area, this morning commute was 18 degrees.

All good suggestions given.
If you're living in an appt complex you dont have to worry about snow removal but find out about the parking situation. there might be 20 parking spaces but with the shoveled snow it becomes 15.
If you're renting a house get a good snow shovel (keep one in your car and a bag of cat littler or snow melt).

For your car if you can get a set of Blizzaks. Get a good tool to remove snow.

For clothing layers so when you get out you have more and when you get in the building you can take them off. Sweat is bad as it creates moisture. Get some wool long johns and shirt to wear underneath your clothes.
Get a par if lined wind resistant gloves and some mittens to put on top for those very cold days. A good wool hat. wool socks. etc...
Basically get wool clothing.

Getting used to the cold is not easy but you get used to it fast.

If I think of anything else I'll post it.

 

[JesasaurusRex]

All good suggestions given.

Except the 100% anti freeze suggestion, don't ever do that. Had 50/50 in enough -40 days to know that's fine.

 

[Blankpage]

Im quite familiar with cold weather and I hate wool clothing, won't even wear wool socks.

 

[Junkie]

Get a good set of winter tires, on a set of cheap steel wheels. It quickly becomes cheaper vs swapping the tires on stock wheels.

this gives you some idea of how much antifreeze you need - there's such thing as too much.

Don't fill your washer fluid here, you can't get the good stuff here (but make sure you keep it full of the good stuff).

 

[Climber]

Im quite familiar with cold weather and I hate wool clothing, won't even wear wool socks.

+1 I grew up with wool, it was the only thing really available back in the 60's and 70's that wasn't super expensive like down.

It was itchy as hell back then, but you didn't mind because it kept you warm even when wet. But, there are much better fabrics now that I use over wool, though a good wool overcoat is one of the best things to wear when going to work.

 

[Junkie]

I'm not sure that I agree regarding "much better fabrics" than wool. Good wool (now) isn't itchy either.

 

[Johndicezx9]

I'm not sure that I agree regarding "much better fabrics" than wool. Good wool (now) isn't itchy either.

Look for boiled wool...

 

[JesasaurusRex]

Get a good set of winter tires, on a set of cheap steel wheels. It quickly becomes cheaper vs swapping the tires on stock wheels.

this gives you some idea of how much antifreeze you need - there's such thing as too much.

Don't fill your washer fluid here, you can't get the good stuff here (but make sure you keep it full of the good stuff).

bingo

 

[carries an axe]

A lot of great stuff in here thank you all.
Where would you recommend I get my fluids changed?

I've heard horror stories about places like Jiffy Lube. I like to get it done before it gets shipped to the East Coast as it's already about 20 degrees there.