Cold weather affects everyone and everything. It slows us down and makes us want to stay indoors as much as possible. While your car is not a living, breathing animal, winter weather can still drastically affect it. These impacts range from affecting its efficiency to safety. Catlett’s Service Center & Towing is available to perform a complete auto exam to check for any potential issues with your vehicle this winter season.
How Cold Weather Affects your Car
- Fluids
A car requires various fluids to function at its best. Fluids like oil, antifreeze, brake, and transmission are all required and critical in extreme weather conditions. The cold weather interacts with these fluids, mostly thickening them – which can reduce their efficacy.
Winterize your Fluids:
You can winterize your fluids by using specific winter formulas. Catlett’s Service Center & Towing can swap your fluids for winter-specific fluids if you bring your car in for a winter tune-up.
- Battery
Your car needs a battery to start, using electrical charges to get things going. However, batteries have to work a lot harder in the cold, occasionally resulting in an inability to get your car started.
Winterize your Battery:
Avoid leaving your car off for too long if temperatures are extremely low. Catlett’s Service Center & Towing can check your battery life and advise you if the battery is nearing the end of its life span. Always keep a set of jumper cables in your vehicle during the winter in case of emergency.
- Tires
Tires are filled with air, and your tire pressure will fluctuate with various outdoor temperatures. When cold weather arrives, pressure will escape from your tires, slowly deflating them. If tire pressure gets too low, your tires will wear quicker, resulting in worse traction control in slippery conditions.
Winterize your Tires:
Do not drive during the winter without a spare tire! Keep a close eye on your tire pressure levels, and re-fill them with air to keep them at a safe PSI level. This will help you avoid costly tire replacements and dangerous blowouts on the road.
- Undercarriage
Many drivers forget about all the complex materials in and around their cars. Most of these parts are made of metal, which does not pair well with winter salts or sand. In most areas that receive snow, highway maintenance departments sprinkle road salt to prevent icy roads, which can corrode pieces of your car’s undercarriage.
Winterize your Undercarriage:
Give your car’s undercarriage a spray after driving on salted or sanded roads. This will help eliminate buildup and reduce the chances of corrosion.
Catlett’s Service Center & Towing can Winterize your Vehicle.
Need help determining how to get started winterizing your vehicle? Contact Catlett’s Service Center & Towing at 410-798-5446 to schedule a full-service auto inspection. We can help get your vehicle winter ready before the snow and ice hits.