Winterize Land Cruiser

1. Tires - unless the snow is insanely crazy, you should be fine - just drive with caution. If you want to, buy a seat of tires with the three-peak rating and sell your stock tires. The difference won't be $1000
2. Bear mace!
The problem up here in Alberta (I live an hour from Banff) is not the snow, it's the ice and the cold. Winter temps around Xmas time can be easily in the minus 20's or 30's C (-4 to -22 F). All season compounds get very hard and lose most of their braking and turning performance. You actually get better grip in the snow when it's that cold. I'd highly recommend a good set of winter tires. And if you buy them here, they might be a deal with our pathetic dollar.
 
In the car manual, it states to only use chains on the rear wheels

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install chains on rear wheel only, do not install on front wheel
 
I gotta say, the only time I have seen chains used in Canada are on logging trucks, or oilfield equipment. I have always been confused by the American use of them on private vehicles, but I guess if you live in a climate where winter tires make no sense (west coast) and you go to elevation to ski, there is a use case for them. Winter tires are the cheapest insurance you can buy in Canada.
 
I gotta say, the only time I have seen chains used in Canada are on logging trucks, or oilfield equipment. I have always been confused by the American use of them on private vehicles, but I guess if you live in a climate where winter tires make no sense (west coast) and you go to elevation to ski, there is a use case for them. Winter tires are the cheapest insurance you can buy in Canada.
In Canada when it gets cold, it will get COLD. In US, many areas temperature could fluctuate from 60F - 10F within the same week. (I saw it at Denver before the temperature drop 50F in the same day) To be honest I would expect in the costal area like Vancouver metro area similar fluctuation is not rare.
 
I’ve done a winter in my outback. The issue is never settling in for the night (just add more or heated blankets), but rather getting up in the morning.

It’s absurd that remote start won’t work with key in car or windows cracked. So your only options to avoid hating life in the morning are an after market auto starter or to leave the car running (legality varies but find some blm land and I doubt you’ll ever be bothered).

I would just run the climate control if temperatures outside fall outside 80°-40°
 
I’ve done a winter in my outback. The issue is never settling in for the night (just add more or heated blankets), but rather getting up in the morning.

It’s absurd that remote start won’t work with key in car or windows cracked. So your only options to avoid hating life in the morning are an after market auto starter or to leave the car running (legality varies but find some blm land and I doubt you’ll ever be bothered).

I would just run the climate control if temperatures outside fall outside 80°-40°
I’m not sure if this is related to trim levels, but my LCFE can auto start off the key fob. Just used it repeatedly this past weekend in the mountains to heat the cabin a bit before getting out of the bag. Temps in low 30s. Press lock button twice and then hold it down until engine starts.
 
I’m not sure if this is related to trim levels, but my LCFE can auto start off the key fob. Just used it repeatedly this past weekend in the mountains to heat the cabin a bit before getting out of the bag. Temps in low 30s. Press lock button twice and then hold it down until engine starts.
Huh, just tried it now and it worked. Wonder why it didn’t before… maybe because I had the spare key in there and now I don’t. Oh well, super good to know.
 
I’m not sure if this is related to trim levels, but my LCFE can auto start off the key fob. Just used it repeatedly this past weekend in the mountains to heat the cabin a bit before getting out of the bag. Temps in low 30s. Press lock button twice and then hold it down until engine starts.
With the starting sequence of LC, I doubt you will ever need to worry about temperature related engine start issue. If temperature drop to a level that you can’t squeeze out any juice from your lead acid, you will likely have other issue to worry about first.
 
With the starting sequence of LC, I doubt you will ever need to worry about temperature related engine start issue. If temperature drop to a level that you can’t squeeze out any juice from your lead acid, you will likely have other issue to worry about first.
Think you’re missing the point, just talking about doing a remote start using the key fob. This is useful in any number of scenarios, but my recent use case was the ability to warm up the cabin from where I was sleeping in the rear cargo area in the morning. Didn’t need to get out of my sleeping bag until the cabin was a balmy 68 degrees.
 
Probably low risk but if you plan to sleep in a stationary running vehicle be aware of carbon monoxide intake into the cabin. A sensor/alarm might be worth rigging up.
 
Probably low risk but if you plan to sleep in a stationary running vehicle be aware of carbon monoxide intake into the cabin. A sensor/alarm might be worth rigging up.
I did have a CO sensor. That is one reason I see this hybrid power train could be more useful. The engine is not constantly on so it would be “better” than the pure ICE version. Usually I would say open the moon roof would help the circulation, but at -20 ~ -30 F I am not sure that is a preferred choice.
 
I would ask the folks on the website. I am sure that they would know.

These are 100% legal in the US of A, everywhere.
I flew my bush plane through Canada a couple of times to AK and back, and carried bear spray, which is legal in CA, but not pepper spray, which is not legal (not logical, but go figure).
 
I am planning a road trip in Canadian Rockies (Banff and Jasper mostly) in the coming Xmas. So I am currently listing all the needed preparation for the trip. This is my current TODO:

1. Tire
I am still on my stock tire. I don’t really want to buy a new set of winter tires since I am really a part timer. So options I am thinking is to use tire socks and/or tire cable. One is to get traction and another is to break the car. Though I am not sure with the AWD on LC whether I can put different traction device on front and rear axels. I never use Toyota’s multi-terrain system so I want to use the chance to test it in the wild.

2. Backup Fuel and Battery
I have a rotopax mount on the roof and a lithium power station in the car. Given the special hybrid power train in LC I think the car shouldn’t get into a situation that it can’t be powered on. For the worst case if it really get super cold jumping start the 12V should still be super easy I think. The spare is in case I got trapped somewhere that I need extended stay or source of power.

3. Temperature Protection
I am not sure whether I really need additional insulation to the wall and cargo floor for me to sleep in the car. I plan to have memory foam mattress, electrical blanket and sleeping bag to keep me warm at night.

4. Comm
I usually carry my Garmin InReach Mini. But since iPhone start to support satellite messaging I will use this trip to do some test before I completely drop my Garmin plan.

5. Gadgets
Cameras, backpack, flashlight, probably have to drop drone given I will be in national park…
I plan to carry my MaxTrax and shovel just in case for self rescue. Canadian Rockies is the only place I ever got myself trapped in deep snow from before.
I still don’t have a good option to defend myself from wolf pack, given Canada doesn’t allow firearm. I was surrounded by a pack about 7-8 years ago, only luckily escaped from them with some help.

What is your preparation for your winter fun with your LC?
I'd add 0 degree windshield washer fluid.
 
I flew my bush plane through Canada a couple of times to AK and back, and carried bear spray, which is legal in CA, but not pepper spray, which is not legal (not logical, but go figure).
Bear spray is not legal in British Columbia. Here in Canada, wiper fluid is sold in Celsius settings, I would get -40C or -60C wiper fluid, it’s sold everywhere.

Good luck!
 
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