Good day,

 

We will be going to Rovaniemi (Finland) with our trusted Skoda Yeti 170TDI in December.

 

I have decided to buy a couple of snow chains, put some mud arches (those black plastic things) but am wondering if there is anything else the Yeti would need in sub zero temperatures ?

 

Any ideas ?

 

/johan

A set of good winter tyres are probably more important than chains.

 

A plug-in engine heater would be very useful. Many parking areas in Northern Scandinavia have stands with electric power for these. 

Hi,

 

Our Yeti already has the"parking heater" which works on Diesel from the engine and heats the car, I guess that will work ! Winter tyres have already been put on the car.

 

Vbrgds

Johan

Anti-freeze in the rads,

lock de-icer,

Blankets,

HOT flasks of tea/coffee.

Kendal mint cakes,  Here

a couple of snow shovels,

something to 'wedge' under your wheels for traction,

VERY warm clothing.  (a few thin layers are better than one thick layer)

Decent torches & batteries (Lenser)

Cellphone with decent signal

Depending on where you're going, some distress flares or strobe lights (lets hope you won't need rescuing)

Camera for taking high quality photos for posting on Briskoda upon your return

 

Oh, and don't forget a small supply of mince pies for Christmas day . and presents for each other.

 

Be kind to the environment, and take litter home with you.

 

Most of all ENJOY yourselves, and safe journey Johan.  :yes:

good tips, yeah, I am Dutch and am kind of relaxed, but hot cofee is probably better than a little vodka (wife would be driving of course)

 

Will definately try to put some pictures of the Yeti against the Nordic lights on this forum, if I manage with my limited technical skills...

 

/johan

Enjoy your trip; can get quite isolated up there and are you visiting Santa by chance :wonder:

 

 

 

One of the bridges at Rovaniemi

 

 

TP

At night leave the handbrake off and in gear to stop it rolling away and windscreen wipers off the screen. Perhaps if its very cold, whenever you stop.

Years ago, you needed a Diesel heater or an additive to stop waxing in the fuel.  Presumably this is taken care of now in the fuel you buy, but maybe in deep cold...  If you do get waxing then you will need a new fuel filter too.

Some places the use of chains or studs is compulsory. Studs are often illegal on motorways, and expensive for a one off use.  

Are you driving across Denmark/Sweden or round the Baltic states? 

As for clothing, when I went to work in Germany, my english cold weather stuff was totally inadequate.  One of the difficulties is being nice and toasty in your car, then having to stop and get out (fuel food relief etc).  You either have the stuff on all the time and risk overheating or be in your "normal" clothes and risk the other extreme when you get out.  I suppose many natives only get out in their heated garages, like a high altitude Swiss friend.

My octavia estate is marginal for heat in a German winter -10C.   I sometimes have to choose between keeping the screen clear and frozen feet.  If you have a heated screen then you will have an easier time, plus the internal volume is less in a Yeti.  Perhaps a (temporary) layer of insulation on the floor?

I think we should stop this thread...

No, keep it going.

 

Alcohol is a VERY unwise decision in the cold (unless your done for the day and at a local watering hole) because it actually serves to LOWER your body temperature making you more susceptible to hypothermia, NOT a nice thing to have as you won't know about it due to overall numbness from the cold.  :(

I think we should stop this thread...

Why? It seems like a useful thread.

 

Fred

Snow chains?

Wasn't there something about snow chains? Back in the dimmest recesses of time I seem to recall difficulties over the fitting of them - or not, as the case may be.

Mmmmmm - snow chains? Might be an idea to do a search of the Yeti Forum archive to find out.

I think we should stop this thread...

 

you think too much.

I'm right though aren't I!

I'm right though aren't I!

In my opinion NO, quite enjoying it.

I'm sure you have a good and justified reason for wanting it closed - please enlighten the rest of us why?

The Plumber and I have the most posts, so what we say goes...

 

And I say keep the thread open

This sounds like a great adventure  If I can add any advice it would be to make sure you have a good supply of high-strength pre-mixed windscreen wash in your Yeti (suitable for fan jets of course, maybe the Skoda/VW brand). I used to work in southern Sweden, Oerkelljunga; once travelling across to Norway and northwards to Bergen and although the fuel filling stations would have windscreen wash by the pallet load, I always found it handy to have pre-mixed fluid in the car. Please post photos

Make sure you fill up with winter grade diesel fuel. I am not sure of the diesel grades in central europe, but in Finland there is a special winter grade sold during the cold period. This one can tolerate lower temperatures.On the other hand, if you drive all the way through Finland this should not be an issue anywas since you will then need to refuel at some point anyway. The further up north you go the lower temperatures the fuel can handle, and the grade is marked on the fuel pumps.