LA to Chicago mid-December...I-70...should I be nervous?

[noFanofCB]

. I'm going to get my little Prius all souped up with fresh tires and traction before we go... thank you for the reassurance!

Fresh tires are a great idea.

While it's in the shop have them verify the coolant mix is good to -30F and that the windshield washer fluid is WINTER MIX. Hopefully they have winter mix fluid in LA.

Don't forget that even those of us who live where it snows have to be re-introduced to driving when it's slick. So consider taking 10 min to practice sliding in a parking lot if it's convenient.

[glc]

Winter mix washer fluid can't be sold in the LA area, only certain regions of CA are allowed to sell it.

If you are going to buy tires, buy a set that are all-season and have a "M+S" rating - this will keep you legal in Colorado if the adequate tires required signs go up. They do not have to be dedicated snow tires, they just have to have the M+S rating on the sidewall. Most good all-season radials have it, just don't buy dedicated summer tires.

[noFanofCB]

Winter mix washer fluid can't be sold in the LA area,

California just keeps on being amazing....

Then I strongly suggest using up the washer fluid before getting someplace cold then replace it with the right stuff. Having the fluid freeze in the washer pump and the plastic lines will cause damage.

[glc]

California and Hawaii are also the only states where auto parts stores are not permitted to do free OBD2 trouble code scans for customers. You have to buy a code reader or go pay a shop to read the codes.

[DonnaR57]

California just keeps on being amazing....

California and Hawaii are also the only states where auto parts stores are not permitted to do free OBD2 trouble code scans for customers. You have to buy a code reader or go pay a shop to read the codes.

These are only a couple of reasons why a few residents of California call our state "the nanny state".

As far as the code reader is concerned, we've found that doing business with one shop, long term, helps. Many times, the manager will have the guys "throw this vehicle on the reader" to see what ails it, without charge. Rarely does this happen at our local dealership; this is more of a benefit of using a private shop.

Back to the OP's problem: up in LA, he may have an easier time finding a place that stocks tire chains locally, because of LA's proximity to Big Bear. However, there is always mail order. Also, the M+S tires should be available at any reasonable tire shop such as Evans, Discount.



Donna

[glc]

I don't think the OP needs to buy chains. Once out of CA, they won't be required anywhere if you have M+S tires - and I've never heard of chains being required on I-15.