Cold weather affects your vehicle in many ways, including making it more susceptible to damage and how it runs. Knowing these cold weather facts can help you prevent damage, as well as make you aware of possible issues to watch for.
Oil becomes thicker in the cold, which can cause the battery output to decline. Cars that operate perfectly fine in warmer weather may fail to start in colder temperatures. The thicker oil can also cause the engine to take longer to start. Your car will tend to run less efficiently during the first 20 minutes after starting your car. Until the engine reaches normal operating temperature, it will run with a high gasoline-to-air ratio to prevent stalling, which causes water vapor to build up in the motor oil and exhaust system.
Making numerous short trips can cause unwanted damage to your vehicle as it never has time to burn off the excess water vapor. Highway driving is much better on your car and it’s components when compared to short trips.
During cold weather, your engine block is more susceptible to cracking. This is due to the possibility of your engine coolant freezing. You can test your coolant with a float ball tester. Never add water to the coolant as it decreases the time it takes to freeze. If you have mixed water in your coolant, you should change it before cold weather hits.
Another item that is more prone to damage in the cold compared to any other time is your windshield. If you pour hot water on your windshield to melt ice or snow – you’ll likely crack it. Glass expands and contracts as temperatures change; therefore small chips can crack as temperatures drop. Ensure that you have repaired small chips and cracks to avoid further damage when temperatures change.
Another useful cold weather tip is to add a bit of rubbing alcohol to your windshield water fluid, which will prevent it from freezing. You can also use this to safely aid in removing ice and snow from the windshield.
