My "preparation for cold seasons" would take an additional path. Other then the heating problems (which are a comfort issue), the most damaging thing to this vehicle is going to be corrosion from ice melting substances used in the Winter. Salt and liquid chloride along with sand and cinder style mixes are going to cause havoc over the next few years. There are so many parts exposed to the weather that are thin, poorly painted metal parts that, if I was operating in these envorinments, I would really be proactive about keeping ahead of the damage that will occur. Many parts used in this vehicle are just bare metal with no protection at all. Even the main body components are of very thin gauge material. Everyone needs to keep the underbody flushed with a minimum of soap and water at regular intervals during the Winter. You should start the season with a good inspection of the car making sure there are no paint chips (and this goes for the underbody). Give the car a good wax job--including the door jams and the underside of the doors. A couple of cans of Rustoleum paint would go along way to help the "black" painted metal parts where the paint is coming off at any weld joint (front subframe and rear motor mount)---don't get spray paint, just a small can and a brush---there is no need for a show car finish. A wax type rustproofing should be added to the doors, hood and liftgate. A product like "Tectyl" or a rustproofing compound that has it as part of it's formulation would be perfect in this application. A heavier product should be sprayed on the underbody in the area between the rocker panels and the frame where the majority of crud gets thrown up by the front tires. Speaking of rocker panels, you cannot see them on the I-MiEV but the plastic covers can sure trap a lot of dirt and salt residue in that area that needs to be flushed out. Again I stess products like "Saltaway" are good a neturalizing the effects of road salt and chloride. At the end of the season, the plastic traction battery covers need to be removed (I would go as far as to take the splash liners out of the wheelwells) and the entire underbody needs to be flushed. If this kind of stuff isn't done (and on a modern car you shouldn't have to) I think there will be serious rust problems with these cars within five years. BTW--make sure any insulation material you might add in confined spaces are not ones that can absorb or trap water. Be extra careful not to block any drain holes during installation or matters will get really bad quickly.
