Cold weather is likely to cause mechanical problems to your car. While a driver can cover themselves with warm clothes, a vehicle can’t bundle itself up in cold weather conditions. Auto experts indicate that metal shrinks in cold temperatures resulting in various car problems.
Let’s delve into common car problems associated with cold weather:
- Thickening of Fluids
Cold temperatures cause the thickening of car fluids such as oil, antifreeze, and transmission fluids. Since the fluids are less viscous, they will not move quickly within your car systems. According to auto experts’ recommendations, drivers should let the engine run for ten minutes to heat the fluids for easy movement. Also, you should ensure to change your car’s fluids before temperatures decline. Most importantly, drivers should ensure that the fluids are at the correct levels.
- Frozen Fuel Lines
Frozen fuel lines are one of the most common car issues associated with cold weather conditions. During cold weather, condensation occurs in the gas tank, especially when the car has less fuel, causing the fuel lines to freeze. The cold temperatures increase the rate of freezing, meaning fuel will not reach your car’s engine. That’s why drivers will encounter many car issues during cold weather conditions.
- Dead Battery
A dead battery is another common car issue during cold weather. The cold temperatures put a lot of pressure on your car battery when starting the engine. Also, since the car battery powers most of your car’s systems, including the heater and fog headlights, it’s likely to get overworked during winter. As a result, the battery’s capacity is expected to drop.
It’s advisable to replace older car batteries with new ones to avoid problems during the cold weather. Besides, it’s necessary to check the battery’s capacity to ensure that it can handle the cold season. By so doing, you’ll prevent numerous dead battery issues.
- Reduced Tire Pressure
Low temperatures result in reduced tire pressure. Also, the tire pressure may fluctuate when the car is stationary. That’s why it’s essential to check your tire pressure indicator before starting your vehicle to avoid running into trouble. Tire pressure issues cause wear and tear, reducing the lifespan of your car’s tires. Even worse, the tires may blow out during your drive.
- Wiper Failure
Winter causes wiper failure due to the inability to clear windshields before activating the wipers. Since cold weather features rain and hail storms, wiper blades are likely to get torn and transmissions to break down. The rubber wiper blades are also vulnerable to snow, slush, and ice pressure. Fortunately, leaving your car’s fan and heater on defrost will help you avoid wiper failure. This also helps to prevent knobs and switches from breaking.
Conclusion
Winter is a critical season characterized by rain, hail storms, slush, ice, and snow. Note that these elements are likely to cause many car problems during the cold weather, such as a dead battery, frozen fuel lines, and more. That’s why it’s advisable to take the necessary action to prevent notorious car problems associated with cold weather.
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