Under the Car...
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2003
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Under the Car... I am moving up to New Hampshire next fall for college and I was told that I shouldnt bring my car up there (99 Trans AM). I do not plan on driving it in the snow except maybe once a week up and down the street just to fire up the engine. I will have another car for the winter. Anyways, I was told that since my car is a florda car, it doesnt have the undercoating(like the ones in the north?) which would prevent rust from stuff like the salt which is laid down after a snow storm. Is this true? If so what can I do to protect my car from these conditions, or any other conditions I may face up north. Thanks
11 Second Club
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waldorf, MD
Re: Under the Car... You'll go through alot of work winterizing, so just don't. As far as driving it, don't. All I did was just pull it outta the garage and run for a while. I only did this once a MONTH, once a week is unnecessary. Besides, our cars are nightmares in the snow, I was all over in less than an inch of snow.
Nate
Nate
Re: Under the Car... Factory undercoat is pretty much so a dead thing. The stuff that is sprayed onto the undersides of our cars is more for sound deadening. As for storing the car it is not worth it to fire it up once a week and drive it around. Let the car sit untill a really nice day comes along. No harm will come to the car if it sits for long periods of time. My cars have sat for months on end.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Eastern MA
Re: Under the Car... I drive my Formula all year round, even in 6 inches of snow. Its fun acutally. But then again i swap the factury wheels and tires for a cheap set of steelies with Blizzak tires. I also have TCS. As far as the undercoating, I thought they were all prepped the same (I could be mistaken). Look in your wheelwells and under the car. Do you see what looks like a tar or rubber coating?
--VIP1
--VIP1
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Chicago (Elgin), IL
Re: Under the Car... From the factory it's all the same. They don't see one coming down the line and go "oh, hey, this is going to Chicago we'd better add some more rustproofing compared to the one before it that went to Florida." <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
It's after it gets into the dealer's hands that aftermarket rustproofing, sealing, etc may be done.
So, if you didn't have anything additional done, you have the same underbody protection I have here as do all the other F-Body's here.
It's after it gets into the dealer's hands that aftermarket rustproofing, sealing, etc may be done.
So, if you didn't have anything additional done, you have the same underbody protection I have here as do all the other F-Body's here.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Re: Under the Car... Hey
Thanks for the info everyone. I guess that means i need to get my 79 cj5 put back together before i go to college or im screwed. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Thanks for the info everyone. I guess that means i need to get my 79 cj5 put back together before i go to college or im screwed. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Re: Under the Car... If you have another vehicle you're willing to "sacrifice" while up in NH, I'd go for that option. Sometimes, there's so much salt, that there's the unending need to wash your vehicle. Salt is not very kind to aluminum parts such as wheels. Enjoy the scenery in NH!!!
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Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Eastern MA
Re: Under the Car... Yeah about the salt, my car is black but it usually looks grey. Sometimes the bottom half looks like someone was being mean with a can of white spray paint. Its my only set of wheels, so I live with it.
--VIP1
--VIP1
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Re: Under the Car... I live in southern New Hampshire, about 15 minutes from the border of Mass. Where are you going to college up here? This winter was a pretty bad one, we're still getting snow up here, tomorrow it is supposed to snow again <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> As for driving the TA, I wouldn't, I never drove mine, but it was kept in my garage and started once or twice a month. The streets up here are loaded with salt and sand all throughout the winter months. It really depends where you are located though. Up north it is 10 times worse then down where I live. They see snow a few times a week. From Concord down, we see occasional storms, light dustings etc. Like I said, it depends on where you live. Either way, you'll need a place to store it during the winter. Average price is about 30-60 bucks a month, you can find deals if you look around. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Rob
Rob
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,218
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From: MI
Re: Under the Car... I had my car undercoated by the dealer 2 days after i bought it. I thought it was a worth while investment since i haven't seen the slightest hint of rust, and we have had a terrible winter here. There is still snow and salt on the road today. I only drive it on the good days though. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Oshkosh,WI
Re: Under the Car... Always keep a winter beater on hand. I have to deal with WI winters. There's no way I would attempt to drive it in the snow. And, no, I wouldn't worry about it sitting for the winter. Mine sits from Nov. to Apr. Never a problem.