Winter weather can be treacherous to drive in, but before you even hit the road there are a few common issues to be on the lookout for when it comes to your vehicle maintenance. Cold weather impacts cars in a variety of ways, including thickening your engine fluids, fluctuating tire pressure, and causing dead batteries.
Keep reading to learn how you can be prepared for these issues and know how to solve them.
Problem:
Frozen engine fluids. Although motor oil doesn’t typically freeze, the cold can still have negative effects on your vehicle’s performance. In cold temperatures, motor oil gets thicker and becomes more difficult to circulate, which can keep your engine from running properly.
Solution:
Opt for a thinner motor oil during the colder months. This will help prevent the oil from becoming too thick and will allow you to hit the road as scheduled. Additionally, if you can store your vehicle in a garage when not in use, your engine will stay warmer in between trips.
Problem:
Decreased tire pressure. You may notice that when you start your car in colder weather, you sometimes receive a tire pressure notification of some kind, indicating that the pressure is low. It Is normal for tire pressure to decrease about 1 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degrees the temperature drops.
Solution:
Often, once you start driving your car you will notice that your tire pressure returns to its normal levels. However, if you find that your pressure remains low, a good course of action is to find your nearest air pump. Inflate your tires to the suggested PSI for your vehicle and monitor your tire pressure over the following days to make sure it remains consistent.
Problem:
Dead car battery. Batteries don’t do well in the cold. If your car won’t start, a possible reason could be a dead battery.
Solution:
Make sure you have jumper cables on hand. It is best to store them in your vehicle, so you always have them in case of an emergency. To help avoid a dead battery all together, replace your battery before the winter months if it is more than three years old. If you live in an exceptionally cold climate, you may want to purchase a battery warmer, available at most auto parts stores or online.
While these issues are very common to experience in colder climates, if your vehicle continues to have new or worsening engine, tire, or battery problems, visit your trusted auto body shop as soon as possible.
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