I have no idea what to expect

[GRPinehurst]

The wife and I are being relocated from the Houston area to the Twin Cities area. I have no idea what to expect in regards to Bronco care etc. The wife has a company car and will be driving all over the Twin Cities and back and forth to Madison. They pay for all of her maintenance and have already scheduled the tire changes in November.

I have a '21 stock soft top Sasquatch Outer Banks.
The Bronco will be stored in an underground parking garage. I will be working from home, so not a ton of driving for me.
Is there a preseason winter list I need to be aware of?
Will I need to change the tires for more seasonal driving?

I have no idea what to expect. This will be a massive adjustment for us both.

Thoughts?

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[Brian_B]

If you are mostly sticking to the city/big roads, you won't necessarily need special tires for Winter. Most all the Bronco tires do well in winter weather, up to several inches of snow. Some do better than others, but on roads that are trafficked, 4A (or 4H) will get you through no problem. Take a hour or two out in an empty parking lot in the snow one day and go do some donuts and stuff - get a feel for how your vehicles handle in the snow. It's different, similar to heavy rain in a lot of ways, but nothing crazy or impossible.

If you are rural, live a long way out, or want to do some more spirited driving out in the snow - then a second set of snow tires might be worth the investment. They do handle much much better than any multi-purpose tire, but for most folks a multi-purpose tire will suit just fine if you aren't plowing snow (intentionally or otherwise) or trying to drive too fast.

Past that - road salt.

F***ing road salt.

Rinse your cars off often, especially the undercarriage. And learn to love PB Blaster.

 

[Fordified1]

Expect rust. Drive her company car as much as you can during the winter. Keep blankets and water in both vehicles for emergencies.

 

[Headsong]

Not so much rust as it used to be since body panels are aluminum. That said, they can corrode. Airports restrict use of salt since jets are aluminum. but the frame, etc. will rust. Keep it clean. If you've got the automatic 4wd, use it. You'll be shocked at how quickly you can hit black ice or a slick spot when you least expect it. And please....Green Bay Packers, not that other team.

 

[Snacktime]

Spent a year south of the twin cities.

To do list
1) Sun Country Airline Credit Card-You will use it to get deals, they are the most reliable carrier during winter.
2) Block heater
3) Set of snow mittens, bibs and snow boots for each person in each vehicle. (fleet and farm or fleet)
4) Viking Tickets! Twins tickets are super cheap, Wild tickets are expensive.
5) Mall of America and Benihana for date night in the middle of winter.

Love the Twin Cities, had an amazing time! Drove 2 hours every chance I had to go up and do things. I enjoy the stupid tourist stuff, don't trust locals opinions of things as what's boring to them is a whole new adventure for you. Watch the weather in winter, wind is the issue, white outs are no joke.

Keywords
POP is a soda
Curds is deep fried cheese
Tenderlion Sandwich is the midwest go to, order it
Vegetables means lettuce, tomato and onion

Not so much rust as it used to be since body panels are aluminum. That said, they can corrode. Airports restrict use of salt since jets are aluminum. but the frame, etc. will rust. Keep it clean. If you've got the automatic 4wd, use it. You'll be shocked at how quickly you can hit black ice or a slick spot when you least expect it. And please....Green Bay Packers, not that other team.

 

[GRPinehurst]

Rinse your cars off often, especially the undercarriage. And learn to love PB Blaster.

Was up there a few weeks ago looking at places to live. More than half the older model vehicles on the road were rusted out. I told the wife, all that salt tore up those vehicles. Was duly noted by both of us.
Already have a can of PB Blaster with regards to other projects.

 

[GRPinehurst]

And please....Green Bay Packers, not that other team.

I'm not much of a NFL guy. I'm a bit of a unicorn in regards to being born and raised in HTX. Once the Oilers left to Nashville, I stopped following along. I'll follow players I enjoyed in college, ie Jermichael Finley. I bet I do make it out to a few Golden Gopher games. I'll make a trip to Camp Randall eventually too.
Same with Astros. I was a huge National League guy. I'll passively watch from time to time.
*I'm showing my age now...

 

[GRPinehurst]

Wild tickets are expensive.

Honestly, talking to some of the natives a few weeks back, this is all they talked about. I've been to a few hockey games. Looking forward to this tho.

Mall of America and Benihana for date night in the middle of winter.

I can do this here. I'm somewhat excited for being able to make a quick drive to a ski park.

 

[MayhemMike]

Save up and use ALL your vacation days during the winter and go south.

 

[Porque No]

Not so much rust as it used to be since body panels are aluminum. That said, they can corrode. Airports restrict use of salt since jets are aluminum. but the frame, etc. will rust. Keep it clean. If you've got the automatic 4wd, use it. You'll be shocked at how quickly you can hit black ice or a slick spot when you least expect it. And please....Green Bay Packers, not that other team.Go Pack

GO PACK GO…..

 

[BroncoChallenger]

Coming from the state that loves road salt a little too much...

The advice to practice in a parking lot (or even a dirt road) is a great idea. There are a LOT of people who live here year-round who seem to forget how to drive in snow every year.

Rust is a real problem, DEFINITELY drive her company car as much as you can, and if you're close to a city consider getting a membership at a carwash that does underbody spray, and go something like once a week to keep the salt off. Also, parking in a heated garage after being out in the salt will take its toll - the snow/ice melts off but the salt stays behind. Which means it gets to sit there on your vehicle and have its way with it.

 

[GRPinehurst]

consider getting a membership at a carwash that does underbody spray, and go something like once a week to keep the salt off.

I am here now ~St Louis Park/Uptown area. Anyone with some recommendations?

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