One of the most frustrating parts about dealing with winter weather is how it negatively affects many aspects of our lives, from our mood to our homes to auto maintenance. Unfortunately, we can’t hide inside all winter, which means our cars are affected every time we go out. Check out these five ways cold weather affects your car and what you can do about it.
Video Overview
Ways Cold Weather Affects Your Car: Increased Corrosion and Rust
Metal, low temperatures, and salt isn’t a good combination. As your car collects salt residue throughout the winter, it’s more likely to rust, especially in the undercarriage and wheel wells. To keep rust and corrosion at bay, it’s best to wash your car often in the winter.
Thickening Fluids
Oil, antifreeze, and transmission fluid all thicken when the temperature drops. When fluids in your car thicken, it can cause all kinds of trouble, as they can’t flow as freely throughout the system. It’ll also force you to sit idly for extended periods while you wait for your car’s fluids to warm up. Thankfully, you can easily avoid this problem by topping off fluids when temperatures get cold.
Decreased Tire Pressure
One of the most well-known struggles of owning a car in the winter is how cold weather affects your tires. Cold weather can quickly deflate your tires as the air within them contracts and suffers from lower pressure. Deflated tires can create even more problems for drivers by increasing the risk of a blowout and reducing traction. To keep yourself and others on the road safe, watch your tire pressure closely in the winter.
Ways Cold Weather Affects Your Car: Poor Fuel Consumption
As you may have already guessed, your car has to work much harder in the winter. Letting your car warm up in the morning is necessary, but it does drain your gas tank more quickly. Driving on low-pressure tires also causes your vehicle to move more slowly and consume more fuel. Keeping your car well-maintained will help save you money on these gas-guzzling problems.
Slower Technology
If you have an infotainment system in your vehicle, you may notice it runs more slowly in the winter months. Just like your battery slows down in the winter, so do the molecules in the display system, causing it to lag. Practice patience in the winter, as it should go back to normal once your vehicle warms up.
Cold weather affects our cars in several ways, resulting in costly repairs and unsafe driving conditions. Look out for these five ways cold weather affects your car to reduce damage and stay safe on the roads.
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