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Winter Checks.

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 8:44 pm
by rm0rgan
[quote="SplanK"] [quote="rm0rgan"]Oh, and don't forget to breath....breathing is important so you can stay alive.
If you found any of these items in the list above 'new news' please close the door after you and stop breeding A A [/QUOTE]
A Not everybody is that "up to speed" when it comes to general car maintenance.A  My wife for example is clueless most of the time when it comes to car maintenance,A but posts like these would guide her into ensuring that there is at least an attempt made to ensure that the car is roadworthy.A  Granted most people on here are "self proclaimed experts" in all things automotive, but some people are not.A Or some people sometimes just lack the common sense![/QUOTE]

Now I know why my wife married me....damn

Winter Checks.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 10:57 am
by DaveBerlin

Splank, did not want to jump on the bandwagon but I just thought that those members that had not seen this before perhaps should think about these little items for the QQ Winter following your information - Dave

Previous Topic :
Hopefully this is of Interest as this is our yearly Ritual here. Now it is nearing the end of Summer and when we get back from holiday the winter will have set in here so the yearly preparation has started . With our recent Nissans we have used for years some of the following products to prevent the Electric Windows/Doors from freezing during the winter periods. Here in Germany it is NOT allowed to run a motor when stationary to heat/or defrost the car. So we had a Webasto Stand Heating System installed with a programmable Timer+Remote and the freezing problem is now minimized, but it costs !
When the windows will not open due to freezing it is better to just jog the auto button first, if there is a tendency to stick then leave it well alone until the Car heating system has got to it. It appears to be a condensation build up on the glass that freezes in the rubber window and the lower door edge tracks. The only thing that seems to help is to clean all the rubber door tracks in the grooves and the door edges at the base of the glass and use a silicone spray with an attached tube to direct a light spray in all the rubber forms. This lubricates it for long life and makes it harder for ice to form on, it can also on be used on your door seals (Body+Doors). For the Rubber Door/Window Seals Deer Tallow-Fat or a Rubber Care Stick can be used and for the Locks a Powdered Graphite Spray. Here are the examples :
SESAM Hirschtalg (Deer Tallow) :
Protects against Frost and stops the Doors / Windows Freezing together. This stick is a white Fatty substance which appears to be like a "U Stick" adhesive for paper and is more like hard grease.
http://www.fertan.com/products/winter-c ... low-stick/

NIGRIN Rubber Care Stick : Preserves softness, suppleness and original colour of rubber parts:
http://www.nigrin.de/en/produkte/nach/p ... rcarestick
maintains, protects and prevents premature ageing / lengthens service life / prevents seals from freezing

SONAX Rubber Protectant :
http://www.sonax.com/Products/%28filter ... protectant
Cleans and maintains rubber car components and maintains their elasticity.

NIGRIN Graphite Powder :
Grease-free and odourless ideally suited for dry, not yet lubricated vehicle and cylinder locks
https://www.nigrin.de/en/products/nach/ ... hitepowder



For the Window Screen we have a Cover available which is hopefully no longer needed due to the QQ Tekna having a Heated Front Screen + Webasto. For the Side Windows the normal De-Icer sprays will be used with Ice Scrappers if needed, I always use Sprays firstly to soak the ice and also to minimise window scratching. Here you never know what will come in the Winter and what situations arise so we are always well prepared and also have Jump Starter Leads/Tow Rope/Snow Shovel/Work Gloves and a soft brush to remove the snow from the Car surfaces. It is an offence here to drive with Iced up windows or packed snow on cars. Plus of course the Winter Wheels & Tire's which have already been ordered.To store the smaller items like the Sprays/Ice Scrappers/Lock De-Icer (one also on the person) etc. I purchased a Bag from good old Lidl last year which has Velcro strips under and at the rear can be attached to the rear of the front seats or placed in the Cargo Area. I also just picked up a set of Nissan Rubber Winter Mats #KE7484E289(LHD) but be careful as the same No. was quoted for RHD and I nearly had a heart attack with ours but they fitted OK. These have higher side walls (similar to WeatherTech US but not so high or expensive) and they cost here 55 UKP, in the Glyn Hopkins UK website these cost 58 UKP/ebay 63 UKP.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Nissa ... 361wt_1399


I hope you do not find this to boring but as I mentioned before this is the yearly 6 month Winter Ritual O to O (Oct to Oster-Easter) here - Dave

Winter Checks.

Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:53 pm
by DaveBerlin
Here are a few more highlights now that the winter is here some might have been covered before by Splank. These seem to be similiar type recommendations from the AA / RAC / Car Care Council :

Balance your speed - too fast and you risk losing control, but if you go too slow you risk losing momentum / Increase the distance at which you follow other vehicles / Plan your journey around busier roads, which are more likely to have been gritted / On a downhill slope, get your speed low before you start the descent, and do not let it build up / In falling snow, use dipped headlights or fog lights, but switch off if conditions improve / Start gently in second gear, avoiding high revs / Stay in a higher gear for better control / Only use the brake if you cannot steer out of trouble.
Motorists should also keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.


Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.
Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to "winter weight" oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.
If you're due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle's most important safety item.
Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.
Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.

Re: Winter Checks.

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:35 am
by DaveBerlin
I would just like to raise a few Points as Reminders for the Winter Period. There has been a load of Facts posted before with regards to Winter Preparation and most probably worth reading - see the attached but a lot of reading ! - Dave ;)

http://qashqaiforums.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... cks#p42904

http://qashqaiforums.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... art#p33966

http://qashqaiforums.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... now#p34222

This morning a Cold Front has started to hit Germany and we had -8°C last night and it is going to drop this weekend. On starting the QQ this morning no Major Problems at all :

I did clean all Sensors & Camera firstly
Intelligent Key Buttons were Frozen but freed up pretty quick with a warm finger - Aditive added
Door Handles felt like they were frozen but did free up
Wing Mirrors were switched "OFF" that means left in the Winter Position "OPEN" it saves that Crunching Sound of Ice and Plastic
Wipers were set to "OFF" so no Problems with the Blades being Ripped Off on Start Up
Screen Heater Front and Rear Switched "ON" - cleared Screens in minutes
Petrol Flap is frozen closed I will have to wait for some Vitamin D / Sun before treating

These Points might be repeats for some but for new QQ Owners hopefully this help them !

Re: Winter Checks.

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 6:07 pm
by Deleted User 3871
DaveBerlin

Fantastic work, many thanks.
DaveBerlin wrote:Splank, did not want to jump on the bandwagon but I just thought that those members that had not seen this before perhaps should think about these little items for the QQ Winter following your information - Dave

Previous Topic :
Hopefully this is of Interest as this is our yearly Ritual here. Now it is nearing the end of Summer and when we get back from holiday the winter will have set in here so the yearly preparation has started . With our recent Nissans we have used for years some of the following products to prevent the Electric Windows/Doors from freezing during the winter periods. Here in Germany it is NOT allowed to run a motor when stationary to heat/or defrost the car. So we had a Webasto Stand Heating System installed with a programmable Timer+Remote and the freezing problem is now minimized, but it costs !
When the windows will not open due to freezing it is better to just jog the auto button first, if there is a tendency to stick then leave it well alone until the Car heating system has got to it. It appears to be a condensation build up on the glass that freezes in the rubber window and the lower door edge tracks. The only thing that seems to help is to clean all the rubber door tracks in the grooves and the door edges at the base of the glass and use a silicone spray with an attached tube to direct a light spray in all the rubber forms. This lubricates it for long life and makes it harder for ice to form on, it can also on be used on your door seals (Body+Doors). For the Rubber Door/Window Seals Deer Tallow-Fat or a Rubber Care Stick can be used and for the Locks a Powdered Graphite Spray. Here are the examples :
SESAM Hirschtalg (Deer Tallow) :
Protects against Frost and stops the Doors / Windows Freezing together. This stick is a white Fatty substance which appears to be like a "U Stick" adhesive for paper and is more like hard grease.
http://www.fertan.com/products/winter-c ... low-stick/

NIGRIN Rubber Care Stick : Preserves softness, suppleness and original colour of rubber parts:
http://www.nigrin.de/en/produkte/nach/p ... rcarestick
maintains, protects and prevents premature ageing / lengthens service life / prevents seals from freezing

SONAX Rubber Protectant :
http://www.sonax.com/Products/%28filter ... protectant
Cleans and maintains rubber car components and maintains their elasticity.

NIGRIN Graphite Powder :
Grease-free and odourless ideally suited for dry, not yet lubricated vehicle and cylinder locks
https://www.nigrin.de/en/products/nach/ ... hitepowder



For the Window Screen we have a Cover available which is hopefully no longer needed due to the QQ Tekna having a Heated Front Screen + Webasto. For the Side Windows the normal De-Icer sprays will be used with Ice Scrappers if needed, I always use Sprays firstly to soak the ice and also to minimise window scratching. Here you never know what will come in the Winter and what situations arise so we are always well prepared and also have Jump Starter Leads/Tow Rope/Snow Shovel/Work Gloves and a soft brush to remove the snow from the Car surfaces. It is an offence here to drive with Iced up windows or packed snow on cars. Plus of course the Winter Wheels & Tire's which have already been ordered.To store the smaller items like the Sprays/Ice Scrappers/Lock De-Icer (one also on the person) etc. I purchased a Bag from good old Lidl last year which has Velcro strips under and at the rear can be attached to the rear of the front seats or placed in the Cargo Area. I also just picked up a set of Nissan Rubber Winter Mats #KE7484E289(LHD) but be careful as the same No. was quoted for RHD and I nearly had a heart attack with ours but they fitted OK. These have higher side walls (similar to WeatherTech US but not so high or expensive) and they cost here 55 UKP, in the Glyn Hopkins UK website these cost 58 UKP/ebay 63 UKP.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Nissa ... 361wt_1399


I hope you do not find this to boring but as I mentioned before this is the yearly 6 month Winter Ritual O to O (Oct to Oster-Easter) here - Dave

Re: Winter Checks.

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 10:37 pm
by Black-is-Back
Great tips. Thanks Splank.