When the weather is about to turn cold, it’s time to be extra watchful when it comes to vehicle maintenance. Especially if it can get very cold where you are. So start thinking, and acting, ahead to ensure minimum frustration.
These are the 6 car problems you are likely to encounter in cold weather:
1. Frozen windshields
Your wipers will be very vulnerable in cold weather. Since the blades are made from rubber, pressure from snow, slush, and ice can break them. Sometimes your wipers will freeze to the windshield, and turning them on may cause the blades to tear.
Check your windshield wiper blades regularly and consider buying winter wiper blades, which are designed for icy conditions. Test your wipers before driving out each day and be sure to clear ice and snow that have collected on the windshield.
2. Frozen locks
With frozen locks, you get shut out of your car. Your locks freeze when your vehicle is wet, which means the water eventually freezes in the locks.
To avoid the frustration over the long wait for the issue to be resolved, always have a can of de-icer handy so you can melt the ice. You can also use hand sanitizer, since it contains a high amount of ice-melting ethanol and isopropanol alcohol. Just take care not to force a key into a frozen lock, or to force it to turn when it’s stuck, because it can cause damage to both the key and the lock.
3. Dead batteries
This is the most common reason drivers call the AAA in the winter. How does this happen? When the mercury dips down to 32 degrees, batteries have 35 percent less power. By the time mercury hits 0 degrees, 60% of battery power is gone.
When you start your engine in cold weather, it can take up to twice the amount of energy required on any normal day. Be sure your batteries are ready for the cold. That is, unless it’s a new battery (less than a year), have it tested as part of a winter tune-up, along with the engine’s start and charge functions. This will cost you less than a towing service—plus you don’t have to get stuck out there in the cold. It’s also a great idea to have jumper cables in the trunk.
4. Failed spark plugs
Spark plugs often fail to make it to the list of parts to consider when preparing a vehicle for winter. Overall, car engines need more attention when the temperatures drop, and older spark plugs can fail in cold weather if they’ve become corroded—and unfortunately, they’re highly susceptible to corrosion. When they’re corroded, it’s hard for them to make a spark.
Don’t forget to have your spark plugs checked as part of overall vehicle maintenance and replace any worn or cracked plugs immediately.
5. Failure to turn over
If it’s cold, your car can downright refuse to start—especially if it’s been left out in the cold overnight or longer. The colder the temperatures, the harder every part of your has to work. Other than a dead battery or failed spark plugs, the problem could also be brought on by either a thickened engine oil, frozen gas in the line, or a bad starter or alternator.
Avoid this headache by keeping your vehicle warm overnight. Your options include parking it in a garage or using an engine block heater to keep the engine warm.
6. Tire pressure
Low temperatures, as well as lack of movement, can cause fluctuation in the tire pressure of your car. Make a habit of checking the tire pressure indicator on your dashboard when starting your car. This simple habit can help you avoid tire pressure–related car problems, which usually lead to irregular wear and tear, resulting in turn in a shorter lifespan of your tire. What you really want to avoid is the total car blowout that it can cause when you’re out on the road.
Regular maintenance can keep you out of a lot of inconvenient scenarios while driving and spare you some serious expenses. So think prevention, especially with the cold months approaching.
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