With winter in full swing, you may be noticing some differences in your car. Cold temperatures can take their toll on your ride. Freezing air can impact many different parts of your car. Educate yourself about these potential issues to help avoid car troubles in cold weather.
Taking some precautions with maintenance before winter comes is always a good idea and practicing some good habits during the cold weather will help keep your car healthy throughout the winter. Dealing with car troubles is even worse when you’re dealing with it in the midst of a snowstorm.
Avoid making a tough situation even tougher with some preventative measure.
Low Tire Pressure
Winter air means denser air and consequently lower tire pressure. Tires naturally lose pressure over time, but the frigid temperature will cause tire pressure to drop faster. During the cold season, have your tire pressure checker more regularly.
You may need to add air more often to avoid dealing with a flat tire in the winter. Or switch to snow tires for better traction and to give your other tires a break this winter.
Frozen Wipers
You wake up in the morning to find your car frozen over. After some scraping and defrosting, it may seem good to go. But your windshield wipers are still not working well? They could be frozen. Even if they are moving, wipers can have frozen bits that prevent them from doing their only job—wiping.
With ice blocking up your wipers it can be difficult for them to function properly. Thoroughly clean your windshield and wipers before getting on the road to avoid potential danger and possibly damaging your wipers.
Dead Battery
Cold temperatures can impact your battery. If your car is having trouble starting, it could be the cold. Car batteries function on chemical reactions. The chilly weather can slow your battery by slowing its chemical discharge.
Freezing temperatures can kill your battery altogether. Before winter arrives, have your battery checked out. The best thing you can do is to start winter with a healthy battery and keep your car in covered parking.
Thick Car Fluids
The fluids in your car can freeze and thicken when temperatures reach freezing. If you drive in these conditions your car won’t work as efficiently.
Fuel economy will be much lower in this case. Try idling your car for ten or so minutes before driving in the morning. The heat from the engine can help to thin out those thick fluids. Thickened fluids can mean bad news for your car’s engine if you’re not careful.
If your check engine light goes on, have it checked immediately before things take a turn for the worst.
Spark Plugs
Starting up your car in the cold is not only hard on your battery but it can also be tough for your spark plugs. You may need to replace these guys come winter. With your battery already working harder, don’t let worn and cracked spark plugs make it even more difficult.