COMMON WINTER CAR PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR HELP
Although people are skilled at dealing with inclement weather in the winter, cars are also affected as temperatures drop. Drivers must understand how to safeguard their automobiles from those subzero conditions since cars cannot put on a sweater or turn up the heat.
Freezing conditions and automotive difficulties go hand in hand, from a car that won’t start in cold weather to flat tires and frozen locks. Even if a car is parked in a garage, out of the elements, it will still be impacted by freezing temperatures. Cars parked outside are vulnerable to snow, sleet, rain, and below-freezing temperatures.
Understanding how to winterize your automobile will help you prevent costly vehicle damage and repair costs. Freezing temperatures are an unavoidable part of the year. Here are seven typical winter car problems and solutions.
FROSTBITE WINDSCREEN WIPERS
In frigid temperatures, windshield wipers become incredibly weak. When the wipers are activated, the blades sometimes tear because they have frozen to the windshield. Unfortunately, a faulty windshield wiper frequently goes undetected until it’s raining, sleeting, or snowing heavily.
Recommendation: Include inspecting windshield wiper blades in routine maintenance, and think about investing in winter wiper blades explicitly made for ice weather. Check the wipers each day before leaving the house, and always clean the windshield of any ice or snow before you get behind the wheel.
LACKING SPARK PLUGS
Spark plugs aren’t typically considered when a car is getting ready for the winter, but they should be. When the temperature drops, car engines generally require more maintenance, and older spark plugs can break down because they are more prone to corrosion. They struggle to spark due to corrosion, which can leave drivers stranded.
Recommendation: Spark plugs should be examined as part of routine vehicle maintenance; do not wait until they stop lighting. Plugs that are worn out, damaged, or old need to be changed.
FAIL BATTERIES
When the temperature drops to 32 degrees or lower, batteries lose roughly 35% of their energy, and when the temperature drops to 0 degrees, they lose 60%. Batteries must be prepared to withstand the cold since starting an engine in cold weather can demand up to twice as much energy on a typical day.
Recommendation: As part of a winter tune-up, have the battery evaluated along with the engine’s starting and charging capabilities unless it’s a new battery (less than one-year-old). It’s warmer and less expensive than having to be towed. Jumper cables should also be kept in the trunk “just in case.”
CAR REFUSES TO OVERTURN
A cold car will occasionally refuse to start. It is especially true if it was exposed to the elements overnight because frigid temperatures force every component of a car to work harder. When a car won’t start, and the issue isn’t the battery or spark plugs, it might be thicker engine oil, frozen gas in the line, a faulty starter, or an alternator that has to be replaced.
Recommendation: Look for a solution to keep cars warm at night, like putting them in a garage or heating the engine block.
LOW TIRES
Flat tires are never enjoyable, and this is especially true in cold weather. However, temperature changes can affect tire pressure: a tire’s PSI will decrease by around 1 when the temperature drops by 10 degrees; thus, a 30-degree drop in temperature could cause tires to lose some of their ideal PSI. It is why it’s crucial to frequently check tire pressure because it has an impact on things like traction, handling, and the overall life of the tire.
Recommendation: Ensure your tires are filled correctly (see your car manual for information) or think about switching out current tires for stronger winter tires.
ASSEMBLING PARTS
A lot of salt is needed to melt the snow and ice off the roadways; however, salt has other destructive properties than melting ice. When it enters an engine, it can begin corroding the metal; however, this is typically not noticed until serious harm has been done.
Recommendation: Wash your automobile often during the winter, especially after using recently salted roads. Pay close attention to the undercarriage, wheel wells, and brakes.
COLD LOCKS
When it comes to repairing calls, dead batteries and frozen locks are the two most common causes of vehicle lockouts. It is annoying and time-consuming to fix, and it can occur when cars are damp and the water in the locks freezes.
Recommendation: Always have a can of de-icer on hand to melt ice. Given that it contains significant amounts of ethanol and isopropanol alcohols that dissolve ice, hand sanitizer can also work. Avoid forcing a key into a frozen lock or trying to turn a stopped key because doing so could harm both the key and the lock.
Being ready for anything Mother Nature throws your way is essential because northern winters are no joke. Drivers will be safer and more content if they know how to avoid typical winter car problems with the ideas shown here and these practical winter car accessories. For winter maintenance, stop by Bamian Auto Parts today to be ready for tomorrow.