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Challenges of Cold Winter Conditions

Winter season weather has arrived across the country, and it is proving to be a challenge for many drivers. The risks of winter driving are just one aspect of winter weather that can cause damage to your vehicle. The cold extremes of winter can have a significant impact on your engine’s performance and operation. In this month’s article, we discuss the downsides of winter weather conditions on your car and the steps you can take to keep your vehicle protected from damage during the winter season.

Winter Weather Impacts

There is no doubt that the extremes of winter can affect your vehicle’s engine, particularly the colder temperatures. You may notice early wear and tear on your vehicle’s engine and components due to extreme winter weather.

Winter weather can affect your car in several ways:

Coolant effectiveness is reduced by colder temperatures. Coolant is an essential fluid that lowers engine heat. When parts are not properly cooled, they can be damaged by overheating or seizing up. Oil thickens in colder temperatures. The thicker the oil, the less effective it is at lubricating the engine components. You may need to switch to lower viscosity oil to ensure that the oil can flow through the engine parts and keep them lubricated and clean. Engine block issues could result from frozen coolant. The engine block houses your engine’s cylinders and other components. If the coolant is low on antifreeze or low in general, it may freeze and crack the engine block. Engine parts are susceptible to corrosion and rust from road salt and other chemicals. Icy and snowy roads that are heavily salted can lead to engine corrosion if the vehicle is not washed regularly during the winter months.

Signs of Winter Weather Damage

If your car’s components have been affected by winter weather, you may notice certain symptoms that indicate a problem. These include:

Leaking coolant could be from a cracked engine block, gasket, or other components. Engine stalling or hesitation could be due to thick oil or water or debris somewhere within the system. Engine overheating may be caused by coolant issues—either it is not circulating through the engine or the radiator is blocked by debris such as ice or snow. Your car tires can also be impacted by colder temperatures, losing pressure or wearing out due to harsh driving conditions.

Keep Your Car Safe from Winter Weather

By staying on top of your vehicle’s maintenance routine, you can protect your car from cold weather damage. Make sure your routine includes these common tasks:

Routine oil changes. Ensure you change the oil viscosity according to the manufacturer’s specifications for colder weather. Tire pressure checks. Your vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that alerts you when the pressure is low. If not, use a gauge to check your tires regularly. Also, consider using all-season or winter tires for better road traction in icy and snowy conditions. Coolant level checks. Keep your coolant level maintained, and have your car checked if there is a consistent drop in coolant levels. Be sure to mix your coolant with the correct amount of antifreeze, according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Clean your car regularly. Keeping road salt off the exterior and underside of your car helps reduce the risk of corrosion and rust. Maintain at least half a tank of gas. When the gas tank is low, there is an increased risk of water condensing in the tank and freezing in the fuel lines.

Winter weather is here to stay for a few more months. Make sure to keep your vehicle protected from the dangers of extreme weather by taking a few winter weather precautions.