WINTER WEATHER AUTOMOTIVE TIPS
Winter can be hard on your vehicle, especially during low temperatures when cold temperatures can impact your battery’s efficacy, tires and tire pressure, and the fluids in your vehicle. In order to ensure that extensive damage is not caused by the change of season, these vehicle components should be checked regularly during the winter to avoid incurring vehicular damage or worse.
Your Car Battery’s Life
Excessive cold and temperatures that dip beneath freezing impact your battery’s efficiency and efficacy. During winter, batteries can’t deliver as much current as they should. This is particularly true if your battery is aging or old. Keeping your car warm is the key to ensuring an easy transition from warmer to colder weather. Parking your car in a garage, heated or unheated, will help your battery survive below-freezing temperatures. If you don’t have access to a garage to park in, parking in an open carport beside a warm building could make all of the difference in the life of your battery.
Tires and Tire Pressure
Cold weather compresses air, including the air in your tires. For every 10-degree F drop in temperature, your tires lose one pound per square inch of pressure. Tire pressure matters when it comes to braking, turning, and your vehicle’s overall safety and stability, which is especially important when driving over icy roads. Too much pressure and your tires will bounce off the road; too little and they could overheat and get worn down. Typically, on the doorframe of your vehicle, you will find a sticker that indicates the proper tire pressure for each of your car’s tires. Use that as your guide. If your vehicle is missing its tire sticker, consult the user manual.
Additionally, if you plan on driving through particularly icy or snowy conditions, considering swapping out your regular tires for seasonal winter tires might be a good idea. Winter tires are designed to contend with the elements and can take on more wear and tear. Either way, you want to ensure that your tire’s pressure and tread are robust and capable of handling inclement weather. If you are unsure whether or not your tires are up to speed, give us a call at CSE Automotive in Oreland today.
Your Vehicle’s Fluids
Your vehicle’s fluids- such as oil, antifreeze, transmission, brake, and wiper- are less efficient during the colder months. The first step in maximizing your vehicle’s efficiency is ensuring all your vehicle’s fluids are at the appropriate levels. For oil, consider something with a lower viscosity than you might otherwise. For wiper fluid, consider switching to a winterized version with more alcohol in it. You shouldn’t worry about your gasoline freezing, but keeping your tank topped off and full will aid in keeping any condensation that can build up in the fuel system from freezing. If you have any questions or need to top off your fluids or have your oil changed, please give us a call at CSE Automotive in Oreland to speak with a knowledgeable technician today.
"It takes very little time and money to make sure your vehicle runs properly during summer, and although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive maintenance steps,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council."