How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
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MARGR4V3Z
- SLE Member

- Posts: 94
- Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 2:15 pm
- Year and Trim: 1993 Bonneville SSE
- Location: Clarkston, MI
How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
I am looking to get some feedback on tips for winterizing your car.
As far as the soap and wax to use before winter?
Things to check before winter?
Basically anything that you should do before the winter hits!
As far as the soap and wax to use before winter?
Things to check before winter?
Basically anything that you should do before the winter hits!
-Zach


-
00Beast
- Retired Site Developer

- Posts: 20960
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 10:30 pm
- Year and Trim: '17 Silverado 1500
- Location: MN/IA
- Contact:
Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
I just wash with a bit of dish-soap mixed in with my car-wash soap to remove wax, then use a synthetic sealant to seal the paint, protect from salt and slush. I also lubricate my door seals with some silicone lubricant (spray on rag, wipe on; helps prevent freezing).
Check:
Tire Pressures & Conditions (weekly; don't forget the spare!!!)
ALL Fluids
Make Sure your heat works in all positions (defrost, vents, floor)
Add de-icer fluid
Check your wipers
Lights
I'm planning on getting a set of rubber floor mats this winter (really good idea)
Things to keep in car:
Scraper/Brush
Blanket/Hat and Gloves/Candybar/things to keep you alive if you get stranded
Shovel is a great thing if you ever park in outdoor lots, Target has a nice collapsable shovel/scraper on-sale in their automotive section right now
Check:
Tire Pressures & Conditions (weekly; don't forget the spare!!!)
ALL Fluids
Make Sure your heat works in all positions (defrost, vents, floor)
Add de-icer fluid
Check your wipers
Lights
I'm planning on getting a set of rubber floor mats this winter (really good idea)
Things to keep in car:
Scraper/Brush
Blanket/Hat and Gloves/Candybar/things to keep you alive if you get stranded
Shovel is a great thing if you ever park in outdoor lots, Target has a nice collapsable shovel/scraper on-sale in their automotive section right now
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.
- SSEiMan01
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 6:17 pm
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92 SSE
92 Lumina Z34
99 Tahoe
03 PAU - Location: DeKalb, IL
Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
I don't really do much to prepare other than throw a snow brush, a rubber snow pusher- which I use most since it doesn't scratch, and a scraper with a glove around it to keep my hands warm
Other than that I wash weekly, espescially in winter and I wax monthly. This year I will be adding snow tires to the list of to-dos, just because I want to protect the chrome on the swoops. 
I always have all weather mats in my car, they save the carpeting in the long run...Also allows me to have a perfect set of SSEi embroidered mats available if I want to put them in at any point.
I always have all weather mats in my car, they save the carpeting in the long run...Also allows me to have a perfect set of SSEi embroidered mats available if I want to put them in at any point.
Last edited by SSEiMan01 on Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:40 am, edited 2 times in total.
Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
James May wrote:Hello.
- 2002BonnevilleSE
- Posts like an LN3

- Posts: 537
- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 2:42 pm
- Year and Trim: 2002 Bonneville SE
- Location: North Western Pa
Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
That's easy. Wash.....use compressor to blow all the water out of the seams. Finish drying. Pull back in garage.
Cover with sheets and let it sleep till spring
Cover with sheets and let it sleep till spring

Cadet Blue....Not perfect...But paid for.
K&N Air Filter and Gutted air box. 180 Thermo Cleared Corners More to come.
"Unfortunately there is one thing standing between me and that property: the rightful owners."
- Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles
"One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know." Capt. Geoffrey T. Spaulding - Groucho Marx - Animal Crackers
- SSEiMan01
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 6:17 pm
- Year and Trim: .
92 SSE
92 Lumina Z34
99 Tahoe
03 PAU - Location: DeKalb, IL
Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
Must be nice, Bob2002BonnevilleSE wrote:That's easy. Wash.....use compressor to blow all the water out of the seams. Finish drying. Pull back in garage.
Cover with sheets and let it sleep till spring
JK
Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
James May wrote:Hello.
- 2002BonnevilleSE
- Posts like an LN3

- Posts: 537
- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 2:42 pm
- Year and Trim: 2002 Bonneville SE
- Location: North Western Pa
Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
I was being nice WillSSEiMan01 wrote:Must be nice, Bob2002BonnevilleSE wrote:That's easy. Wash.....use compressor to blow all the water out of the seams. Finish drying. Pull back in garage.
Cover with sheets and let it sleep till spring![]()
JK

Cadet Blue....Not perfect...But paid for.
K&N Air Filter and Gutted air box. 180 Thermo Cleared Corners More to come.
"Unfortunately there is one thing standing between me and that property: the rightful owners."
- Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles
"One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know." Capt. Geoffrey T. Spaulding - Groucho Marx - Animal Crackers
-
00Beast
- Retired Site Developer

- Posts: 20960
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 10:30 pm
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- Location: MN/IA
- Contact:
Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
I forgot something: Rain-X on all the windows. 
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.
-
MARGR4V3Z
- SLE Member

- Posts: 94
- Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 2:15 pm
- Year and Trim: 1993 Bonneville SSE
- Location: Clarkston, MI
Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
Thank you for the list!00Beast wrote:I just wash with a bit of dish-soap mixed in with my car-wash soap to remove wax, then use a synthetic sealant to seal the paint, protect from salt and slush. I also lubricate my door seals with some silicone lubricant (spray on rag, wipe on; helps prevent freezing).
Check:
Tire Pressures & Conditions (weekly; don't forget the spare!!!)
ALL Fluids
Make Sure your heat works in all positions (defrost, vents, floor)
Add de-icer fluid
Check your wipers
Lights
I'm planning on getting a set of rubber floor mats this winter (really good idea)
Things to keep in car:
Scraper/Brush
Blanket/Hat and Gloves/Candybar/things to keep you alive if you get stranded
Shovel is a great thing if you ever park in outdoor lots, Target has a nice collapsable shovel/scraper on-sale in their automotive section right now
-Zach


-
myfirstbonnie
- Resident Gearhead

- Posts: 5530
- Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 10:19 pm
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2015 Buick Enclave
2013 Buick Regal GS - Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
Put it in the garage and take care of the little bugs. Then I start a list of the next things to do when the weather dries out and warms up.
Pretty much have the engine where I want (I think), now it is time to start with the detailing and personalization mods.
Pretty much have the engine where I want (I think), now it is time to start with the detailing and personalization mods.
- nos4blood70
- Certified Bonneville Nut

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- Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
- Location: Chicago, IL
Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
00Beast wrote:I'm planning on getting a set of rubber floor mats this winter (really good idea)
I'm getting some for Penelope as well, since this is going to be her first REAL winter experience.
-
LeSabre in Buffalo
- Certified Bonneville Nut

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Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
Oil-based or other fluidy, non-drying undercoating. Protect the vital undercarriage. I did it on my Cruze earlier this fall. It's greasy under there, and protected against the salt that's already on the roads.
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swampthing
- Certified Bonneville Nut

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- Year and Trim: 2000 ssei gone but not forgotten
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Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
2000 ssei gone but not forgotten
Current fleet:
2009 G8 v6, 2009 Avalanche LTZ, 2013 Volt
Current fleet:
2009 G8 v6, 2009 Avalanche LTZ, 2013 Volt
- Troyport
- Posts like an LN3

- Posts: 472
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- Year and Trim: 1993 Bonneville SE, restoration finished
- Location: Hiram, Ohio
Re: How do you Winterize your Bonneville?
Back it into the garage on a sheet of plastic to keep any dampness from the concrete away from the undercarriage, cover. Check in on her once in a while so she knows I still love her.



