My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

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tercel4wdrules
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My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by tercel4wdrules »

I wanted to get my Terc up to Big Bear ever since my first trip two years ago... now I have a story to tell. I also got some inspiration from SilverBullet's pictures.

Some of you that live in Southern California knew about that storm that landed yesterday. I was anticipating this storm for several days and I had been planning it for several days. I had an idea of what to expect, but I had no idea it would be this bad. This was the my first time driving in snow, and I found it to be similar to driving on mud. I had read so many stories about the Tercel's snow prowess, but I wanted to put it to the test myself. What a better way to do this than driving in the middle of a snow storm!

I decided I would make my way into Big Bear Lake through Hwy 330. Traffic was heavy and I passed so many accidents on the freeways, I had never seen so many accidents before. It was raining hard so I kept my speed about 50 mph to avoid hydroplaning. I reached Hwy 330 and I expected to hit the Caltrans chain control area soon and my prediction was true. Caltrans asked me if I had chains and asked if I was going to put them on. Then while my friend and I were wrestling to put them on a chain installer told me not to bother because they weren't allowing people on the highway anymore. I asked a chain installer if he knew if Hwy 18 was open, and he said I could try it, but that he would only try it with 4WD. He then looked at the front of my car and asked "this is 4-wheel-drive?" I said, "Yep, it is..." So I went back onto the freeway and went onto Hwy 18, going up to Big Bear through the Waterman Canyon.

When I got to the CalTrans chain control area, I was asked by the Caltrans worker if I had chains and I affirmed that I did. He said, "Ok, drive safely." I proceeded up the hill. After a while I started hitting rain/snow... at this point there was no need for 4WD, yet...

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I went a ways from the last picture when, great, someone was stuck and was getting towed out. It was pretty pathetic as it wasn't even very slick (at least for the Terc, haha). I was very cautious and was traveling 20 mph or so.

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The higher I went it was getting worse, visibility was poor as evidenced here:

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By now I definitely had 4WD engaged and it wasn't getting any better. My windows were very foggy, and my heater wasn't putting out. I was freezing inside. My rear defroster wasn't working well either, which made things more difficult.

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I kept going, no real problem other than the rear wanted to slide out a little with the uneven snow. Somewhere around the town of Arrowbear, this guy was coming and was taking up the entire lane that was plowed. I had to no choice but to keep going straight in my path and then my friend was "NO!!!" and it was too late and I drove right into a snow drift. It was hard to differentiate that it was too high to drive through, and this was evidenced by several other cars stuck. Behind me this is how it looked like:

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I didn't know what happened until I couldn't go further and I tried backing up to no avail. I tried revving to 3000 rpm and easing the clutch, but it was definitely not going anywhere, I tried it twice, but I started smelling my clutch so I stopped. I remembered mac's experience burning out the Rhino Pac clutch, and that was the last thing I wanted to happen so I quit trying. When stuck, time to shovel! To the right of the car was a snow drift, at least 2 ft. I looked under the car and it had high-centered. It was completely blocked by snow. I didn't have a shovel. Blast!! I tried putting chains on the rear, but it was useless I couldn't get in there. I saw a lady shoveling out her Explorer, after she was done, I asked if I could borrow her shovel and got to work. I removed as much as I could and my friend helped me, but the snow was piling quick. I saw a man with a Ford Ranger 4x4 truck, he had also high centered and was shoveling too. This made me feel a little better, but felt stupid for driving right into the snow drift, but I blamed the poor visibility. My friend locked the steering and when I went back to unlock it, it wouldn't budge. We had to wrestle it until it came free. Luckily, the lady lived nearby and brought her neighbor over. They jumped up and down on the front of the Terc, while her daughter and my friend pushed and rocked the front. I got back in and feathered the clutch in reverse several times until the front came free and kept backing up until I was able to move forward and get back onto the plowed portion. My friend said the wheels were spinning quite a bit. In retrospect, I should have put it in FWD, spun the wheels and had my friend rock the front end back and forth... it just didn't have the power to spin the wheels in 4WD in this hard-packed snow. Whew! I was good right? Wrong...

I kept going and then for some reason I ended driving right into another high snow drift. I didn't know what happened until the snow splashed up all over the front of the car. I opened the door and the snow was really high. This time I had done it, it was really stuck. I had no shovel. I tried to find someone with a truck, my only hope was to get pulled out. I was lucky that I was able to catch the attention of a passerby with a Chevy Suburban 4x4 I believe. He hooked up the tow strap and dragged me out of there, but not before some serious wheel spin (he said to keep it in neutral)... the guy driving the Chevy said that it was pretty bad since the snow plow was having trouble as well. It didn't matter if you had 4WD, chains, etc, if you were to get stuck, you got stuck.

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I was determined to attempt NOT to drive it into another snow drift or high-center it. I truly believed that luck was one my side as I got stuck, I had great people help me out. It was hard driving in the poor visibility. When I got the Hwy 18 & Hwy 38 fork, it looked like Hwy 38 was the better route. Before we proceeded, we put the traction cables on the rear wheels and it seemed to be a tad bit more stable and the rear seemed not to want to slide out. After over 2 hrs we made it to Big Bear Lake. We waited out the heavy snow at a fast food joint.

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Notice the traction cables on the rear wheels:
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I am convinced that the Terc is beast in the snow. Even in EL 4WD, I didn't perceive any noticeable wheel spin on take off and was right on. I did have some Nissan Pathfinder pass me and some other car, but I wasn't trying to race. If many trucks and cars got stuck back there and I had made it this far, this had to be something special.

I encountered a Jeep Liberty 2WD with no chains on the rear tires, just barely moving as his wheels struggled to grip the road, blocking traffic along as well.

After all that drama, we needed to find a way down the mountain and it looked like we were running out of options. The only two ways were through Hwy 18 through the Lucerne Valley or back down through the Waterman Canyon. I tried going through the desert route, but it wasn't going to happen, a UPS truck was stuck ahead and later we learned they shut down the road. So, we drove back to the 18 and we were greeted with unplowed snow. It was pretty deep, but I just kept it in 1st or EL and kept the rpms up. At some point I was flying by two SUVs and a stuck Camry on the other side of the road, and those folks were gaping at my little mountain goat because it was flying right past them. Then traffic was completely stopped. A Chevy Avalanche 4x4 was stuck, I had no idea what this guy was doing, but his truck was blocking the road. There were already several people trying to help him out. My friend, myself, and another disgruntled driver came over to see what could be done. The front end was stuck to what appeared to be a foot of snow, no chains on the tires. It just kept spinning the rear left tire. Over a half a dozen guys were trying to get the truck freed. About five guys pushing the front and two jumping on the back and eventually it was free. Then...

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Yes, we had to wait in traffic again. My traction cables were getting noisier and eventually I pulled over and took them off as the road had been plowed and felt I didn't need them anymore. Visibility was even worse than on the way up as there was lots of wind blowing the snow and then further down, lots of dense fog, I was literally guessing my way down the road. I made it back home safe and sound, I could not ask for more. There were other people who had it much worse, either completely stuck or struck by out of control vehicles, etc.

I have to sort out a problem, it was running hotter than normal, sometimes passing the middle of the temp gauge, but not overheating. I just replaced the thermostat and tried to bleed as much air out as possible, but it was very erratic. I'll try and see if there is anymore air trapped in and try replacing the cap. Any suggestions?

If we get more snow, I'd like to try my luck in my '86 Terc. We'll see... once flatlanders (I do mountain driving regularly though), such as myself get hooked on the white powder, it's hard to get off of the effects. The adventure, and the fact that not all the years bring this much snow down here makes it truly a special opportunity to take advantage of, but it is very dangerous travel.

I invite other Tercel 4WD owners to post some of their snow pictures, stories, etc.

Until my next adventure, this is T4WDrules reporting lol!
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Mattel
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by Mattel »

Looks like an epic journey - you have done well to test out your car and driving. I always have a snatch strap in my car, jump leads and a shovel for the snow as people will be much more likely to help you out when you have the strap on ready to go. When it comes to chains I've always put mine on the front as they are the steering tyres.

That snow is awesome - the most I've ever driven in is 20cm of Australian fresh but wet snow which only just hit the air dam. I do have chains but never have had to use them. Do many people on this forum board or ski? You guys have so much of it - be shame to waste!

Thanks for the photos.
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Highlander
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by Highlander »

Nice commentary, great photos. I'm assuming that you have snows on it. Living at 8800' and working 30 mi away at 5200', we travel through the whole gamut of conditions when the weather comes in. We run studded snows all around on all of our tercs in the winter. I've only stucj a terc twice- once I high centered on a snowdrift, and once stuck it into a snowbank 1/4 mi from home-come to think of it, so was the snowdrift I high centered on :o . The deepest I've run one through without getting stuck was hood high fresh-Couldn't see a blasted thing straight ahead- drove by way of the trees on the side of the road. :shock:
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I've been skiing for (cough, cough) years now, and the only vehicle that I've liked better for skiing was my '76 Jeep Cherokee- you could pile 8-10 people in the back to go up and ski down the passes here. Everyone chips in for gas, takes a turn at the wheel and you could ski all night for a couple of bucks.
Great Commentary 4WDrules, I don't think Cali allows studded snows, do they? They really help out.
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Petros
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by Petros »

That sounds like my commute to my office this morning. The Pacific NW just got dumped on with 6 to 12 inches of snow, mostly north of Seattle (where I live!). There is supposed to more on the way, I guess the schools will now be closed for the season.

Although traffic was very light, there were still a lot of silly people pushing luck "testing" out their big SUVs, many off in the ditches. I feel my Tercel was made for this kind of commuting, I just have all season tires and it drove great, even on the hills. If we had more ice the studs might be helpful, but I have only felt I have needed them once or twice in 22 years of driving these kind of winters (snow driving skills I think helps more than studs). I have 3 miles of steep roads to go up to get home this evening. I expect the Tercel to make it all the way up to the house, like it always does. Most of my neighbors have to walk the last mile or two of 20% grade, but not me! I actually think driving it is safer than trying to walk a mile or two of steep snowy/icey roads.

Better sort out your heater/defroster issue, that alone can make the difference between a nice winter drive, and a miserable soggy stressful trip.
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by Mattel »

I've always been told use of the Air Conditioner will dehumidify the cabin when it gets really foggy. does anyone else do this? obviously only for short bursts before you freeze.

We get crazy snow in australia... just not on this day. :)
B.T.W the plow guy at Falls Creek used to drive a Terc4wd!

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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by Neu »

here's mine. Only picture I have of it right now.
tercel4wdrules
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by tercel4wdrules »

Thanks everyone for the comments and pictures. Now on for part two with my '86...

I apologize for the terrible picture quality and lack of photos, but I was lacking a dedicated photographer, apparently all of my friends had better things to do than go to the snow. It also seems my camera is taking a vacation because it's not working properly after the last snow storm.

This is the Angeles Crest Hwy, I had been on this highway several times and I am eagerly awaiting the opening of the stretch of road that has been closed for several years now. The highway has been closed at Islip Saddle for several years now.

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I came upon some flatlanders with their flashy big SUVs and one was backing up, probably had no traction on the ice/snow or didn't feel comfortable driving in the slush. I also found it was much more difficult to drive in this than the snow I had encountered previously. I had to no choice but to go around it and the other SUV in front. Apparently EL 4WD was too much for the road and I had my rear end swing out as I tried to take off. I rapidly modified my driving style and I was on the right track. Then my passenger was being apprehensive of the driving conditions and forced me to turn back. This was only at the 2500+ ft elevation level. I returned later in the afternoon only to find Caltrans had closed the road down and the wind was just amazing. Oh well, I could have had more fun, but there should be more opportunities later on.

On the bright side, my defroster was working and my heater was better than the '84's. I really wanted to see snow today again.

I think today was actually worse than Monday's storm. I-15, I-5, CA 14, and a few other highways were closed today. I was looking at the Caltrans website on the highway conditions and they were now requiring chains on all vehicles, no exceptions! for those going up the 330 or the 38.
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tercel4wdrules
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by tercel4wdrules »

Highlander wrote:Nice commentary, great photos. I'm assuming that you have snows on it. Living at 8800' and working 30 mi away at 5200', we travel through the whole gamut of conditions when the weather comes in. We run studded snows all around on all of our tercs in the winter. I've only stucj a terc twice- once I high centered on a snowdrift, and once stuck it into a snowbank 1/4 mi from home-come to think of it, so was the snowdrift I high centered on :o . The deepest I've run one through without getting stuck was hood high fresh-Couldn't see a blasted thing straight ahead- drove by way of the trees on the side of the road. :shock:

I've been skiing for (cough, cough) years now, and the only vehicle that I've liked better for skiing was my '76 Jeep Cherokee- you could pile 8-10 people in the back to go up and ski down the passes here. Everyone chips in for gas, takes a turn at the wheel and you could ski all night for a couple of bucks.
Great Commentary 4WDrules, I don't think Cali allows studded snows, do they? They really help out.
You must have an impressive commute. To answer your question, I checked it out and they do allow studded snows from November to April. I am running Cornell all seasons on the '84. I would really like to run Bridgestone Blizzaks WS-50 tires, but they are somewhat hard to find. At the very least I would like to have a set of chains for all four.

So how did you get it unstuck?
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tercel4wdrules
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by tercel4wdrules »

Mattel wrote:I've always been told use of the Air Conditioner will dehumidify the cabin when it gets really foggy. does anyone else do this? obviously only for short bursts before you freeze.

As far as I understand, new cars run the A/C when you set the vent to the defroster settings and you can run heat as well. So, you would have to manually activate the A/C and have "dehumidified heating."
Last edited by tercel4wdrules on Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by takza »

Nice pics and story. I think you can get snow packed in the radiator and it can cause overheating. As far as the heater/defrost...it should pull air up from under the fenders if the top opening is blocked....so maybe your controls need adjusting? You really should be sure you have a way to stay warm...blankets etc...and some food and water on these adventures....might not be anyone around in some cases? Plus at least a tow cable and jumpers. And a shovel?

Otherwise...have fun. :mrgreen:
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by Neu »

definitely bring a shovel..i was stuck for an hour this weekend.
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by ptothej »

I have equipped mine with a shovel after getting almost stranded over night on a mountain over night last year.. kinda scary!
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by Petros »

Well, the area north of Seattle continued to snow yesterday, and last night, and today. For the first time in since I lived in WA the Tercel failed to get me home. Before I left my office, I called my wife to see if I should pick up some groceries first, and then headed for home Wed night. Many roads in the area are now closed, as was the nearest grocery store, so I went to the next one. I got only what I thought I could carry, and what would be nice to have for up to a week snow bound since the forcast did not sound favorable for a quick melt-off. I was pretty sure the Tercel could get me at least to my drive way, it always had before, depite the last 3 miles of steep, gravel private roads; I knew those roads well, and I knew how to get the most out of the Tercel. So I was not too concerned about the weight of the groceries, though I knew I might have to hike the last mile or so. I headed home about 9:15 pm from the grocery store.

The snow intensity increased, I only had about 7 miles of good highway, and 3 miles of private road, but the snow fall was so heavy I could hardy see. Going was very slow on this hwy where most driving is done at 60-70+mph when clear. Several times I had to stop to clear my headlights off, and de-ice my wipers. The traffic was almost non-existant, I saw several cars off the road in the ditches, a neighbor was helping pull them out with a monster 4x4 truck. The ruts were so deep that my front bumper was throwing snow up over my hood. Half way to my turn-off a snow plow passed going the other way, so I drove on the wrong side of the road in his tracks the rest of the way since there were no other cars.

When I finally reached my trunoff I promply got stuck in a deep snow drift in the middle of the road where there were no tracks to follow (mostly because I could hardly see where I was going). I dug my car out and managed to rock it free back into the old tracks. As long as I kept it moving I was okay, but I had to find places where the snow was not so deep so I could stop the car, get out and clear my headlights and deice the wipers. Where the snow was not too deep I was able to keep my speed up enough to climb the several 20 percent grade hills on the final legs of my trip home, but the second to last hill did me in, it was just too deep. I thought I could take another run at it since I almost made it, and it leveled out for quite a distance after this hill. It would have taken me closer to home anyway.

So I backed down slowly trying to stay in my tracks. No such luck, it was frozen snow under the top 12-18 inch of new snow. Backing down I turned sideways, and slid way off my tracks, but now it was too deep and soft on the edge of our road where my Tercel ended up. I was high centered on the snow. The snow was half way up the door, I had to force it open to get out. I dug out behind the car to see if I could back it into my tracks. But my wheels just spun freely, I would have to dig out under my car to get it to move. I decieded to abandon my car about 10:15 pm. So I put the grocerices in my gym bag, put on my wool hat and gloves and started walking with the gym bag over my shoulder. When driving this time of year I always have good winter boots, and though it was tough deep snow walking, I was warm and comfortable. BTW that is something important to have if you drive in the snow, enough cold weather clothing so you can go for a hike and stay warm without your car.

Anyway, it was only about a half mile more, but there were several steep sections. It might have been a nice snow hike if I was not carrying 40 lbs of grocerice in a gym bag. To my surprise there were no vehicle tracks on the road above the hill that stopped the Tercel, and the snow was now up to my thighes, no exageration. The steep parts were a pain, it was very slippery under the deep loose snow, I took several unintended "rests" laying in the deep snow in the middle of our road after a slip. The last 1000 feet to my driveway was not as steep, but the snow was alomst up to my pants pockets, and the skin on my legs was getting pretty cold. My feet were warm and my upper body was sweating from the effort (I unzipped my parka), but the skin on my legs felt like ice, the snow was melting against my pants soaking them. Note to self, next time bring insulated snow pants. After several breathers I made it to our driveway. Good, now only 250 up hill to the door of the house. The many Christmas lights my wife had strug up several weeks before shown cheerily against the snow in the darkenss, like a beacon on a cold snowy night. The wire reindeer covered in lights looked like a giant glowing snow goat there was so much snow on it.

As I trudged up our long drivway our two dogs were playing in the snow near the house. I call out to them, and the smaller springer spaniel made a valient attempt to reach me, but abandoned the effort after about 10 feet and went back to wait for me by the house. Neither wanted to risk the deep snow so they waited for me to reach them. As I got within 50 ft of the house our big choclate labrador could not wait any longer, she decided to dive in and force her way through the deep snow to greet me. After her first leap down the hill she was completely burried and almost paninked. Overwhelmed, she had to jump up to pop her head out of the snow to see where I was to continue her journy under the snow reach me. The smaller springer spanial enthusiastically followed her trough in the snow until they reached me. Very happy to see me, they almost knocked me over. They were content to allow me to cut the trail back up to the house, staying in my tracks until I reached the door.

I arrived home about 11pm, what normally takes an easy 15 min drive took 2 hours, and a lot of huffing and puffing. I think I will take today off and stay home.

On reflection, having a light bar high up on the car would have helped, it could be removeable so you would drive around looking alike an econo police car when you did not need it. Much taller springs and tires would have been useful too, to get higher out of the snow, but I do not think I would want to drive year round like that. Everything else worked as expected, the extra power of my modified engine was very helpful on the hills. A good working deforster an blower are essencial too. And some insulated snow pants are a must if you expect to drive in this kind of weather. I always carry a small folding military type shovel, and though it is useful, in this case a large snow shovel would have been a lot faster.
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by terceldude »

tercel4wdrules, your pics are dope!!!! How did you put up with such a big storm and how did you manage to drive in snow that deep? Again, nice!!!! :) :) :) 8) 8)
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Re: My Tercel in the Southern California Storm

Post by Ron B. »

tercel4wdrules wrote:I wanted to get my Terc up to Big Bear ever since my first trip two years ago... now I have a story to tell. I also got some inspiration from SilverBullet's pictures.


"I have to sort out a problem, it was running hotter than normal, sometimes passing the middle of the temp gauge, but not overheating. I just replaced the thermostat and tried to bleed as much air out as possible, but it was very erratic. I'll try and see if there is anymore air trapped in and try replacing the cap. Any suggestions?"

I invite other Tercel 4WD owners to post some of their snow pictures, stories, etc.

Until my next adventure, this is T4WDrules reporting lol!
Without a doubt you should be writing for a magazine or a travel-oriented TV channel. It was a nice read, well written and enjoyable. Thank you.

We live in the Southern Adirondack Mountains in Lake George, NY. We are located midway between New York City and Montreal, Canada. We are in a tourist and vacation destination area so we get to see a lot of city people. 4WD vehicles of all types are very common here as you can imagine with all of the ski resorts in the area. We average about 60 to 80 inches of snow each year and what falls at Thanksgiving doesn't melt or sublimate until March or April.

When the snow season begins, the local media (newspapers and TV) have many stories about out-of-town people with their Land Rovers, Escalades, Cayennes and other expensive marques running off the roads and getting stuck or rolling over. They think that just because they have 4WD vehicles they can go anywhere and as fast as they please. Just because a 4WD, 6,000 pound vehicle can get enough traction to start off without sliding too much that doesn't mean that they can steer and stop. The laws of physics are not suspended when someone tries to stop 6,000 pounds.

As far as your engine running a bit hotter than normal while working harder....that is normal for any vehicle. I use Evans NPG+ waterless coolant in all of my vehicles including a John Deere tractor with a Yanmar diesel engine.

Evans NPG+ is used by NASCAR teams, over-the-road truckers and many others because of the superior cooling qualities and because it is permanent. It is non-toxic and it prevents corrosion. Evans NPG+ does not expand when heated so you can use a pressure cap with a lower PSI. Having a lower pressure system means that your rubber hoses will last years longer because they are not expanding and holding back a lot of pressure. There are a bazillion reasons why you should consider using it and you can read about it here: http://www.evanscooling.com/main20.htm

Cheers!

Ron B. in Lake George, NY (where we are expecting snow for the next few days. White Christmas? Always!)
Cheers!

Ron B. in Lake George, NY
'84 SR5 Wagon with 257k miles under partial restoration
'88 Fiero GT with 22k miles and driven daily
'65 Ford Econoline 5-window pickup under full restoration
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