Got Cold Weather? How it Affects Your Car and What you Can Do
It’s that time of year again, friends when Old Man Winter really dishes up some seriously cold weather.
A 30-degree day in January almost feels like spring to humans, but your vehicle isn’t feeling that spring breeze.
Cold temps are really hard on your car and if you’ve neglected your vehicle lately, you might run into some problems.
Want to avoid being stranded in sub-freezing temps? Keep reading for some tips that will really help.
Cold Weather Tips That Actually Work
If you’ve lived in the greater Chicago area for more than a couple of years, you probably think you’ve heard every trick and tip known to mankind.
Let’s talk about some fairly simple, yet practical tips that will really help you out in a pinch.
- If You’ve Got an EV
Electric vehicles don’t drive any differently than a regular gas engine vehicle does, except when it comes to one area: the driving range.
Cold weather slows down the chemistry in the battery. This will give you less power for acceleration. It also takes considerably more energy to keep the battery warm and working and a little more energy to keep you warm inside the cabin.
This means that your EV may not have the range you are accustomed to. In one study, there was a 19 percent drop in the efficiency of an electric vehicle.
The point we are making here is this: don’t try to push your EV to its usual range. Give yourself at least 50 miles of cushion to ensure you aren’t walking home in the snow.
- Dead Batteries
Batteries always seem to go dead at the worst possible moment, don’t they? If your battery is more than 3 years old, you should have it inspected. If the inspection says the battery is marginal, don’t wait until it dies to replace it.
Some batteries will give you a little warning ahead of time, such as slow cranking or electrical items, such as the GPS, acting a bit wonky. Other times, you will get zero warning that the battery won’t start the next time you try the motor.
You might want to invest in a battery warmer to help extend the life of your battery. Or you might want to buy a battery jumper. Thanks to Lithium batteries, these jump starters are now the size of an iPhone and cost less than $100. Keeping one of these in the glove box can be a real lifesaver!
- Iced Up Fuel Lines
While gasoline itself does not freeze until you hit about 100 degrees below zero, the unfortunate fact is that water in the gas lines can and does freeze up.
If the water in the gas line should freeze, it can block gas from reaching your motor in a sufficient quantity to keep the car running for very long.
This is one great reason to keep the gas tank at least half full. There are also additives you can buy that will remove most of the water in your fuel system.
- Slow Screens
Many newer model vehicles have LCD (liquid crystal display) screens for your infotainment. In temps below zero, you might notice that the screen acts sluggish or it could get some funky colors or pixels.
This is simply because, like most things on earth, the liquid crystals become slower the colder it gets.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do for this except wait for the vehicle to warm up. If you have a garage, an engine block heater will certainly help speed up the warming process.
- The Windshield is Frozen on the Inside
Windshields that have condensation and freeze on the inside aren’t all that uncommon, especially for vehicles parked outdoors. Even your own breath can condensate on the windshield and cause it to freeze.
Check the plastic grate or mesh screen that is located at the bottom outside portion of the windshield. You may need to open the hood to reach all of it. Clear off any snow and/or leaves, dirt, debris that may have accumulated there so you can use the defroster.
Using your defrost function will help to clear up that problem in a few minutes. If your defroster isn’t working, you will want to have that problem fixed ASAP.
- The Engine Antifreeze Isn’t Anti-freezing
Antifreeze, also called coolant, only works if it was properly maintained ( mixed with equal parts of water) or if it gets changed according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Some people believe that if a little antifreeze is good, then pure antifreeze must be better, right?
Nope. In fact, the opposite is true. Antifreeze is designed to be mixed with water to provide your vehicle with the highest level of protection.
Maintain your vehicle properly and have the antifreeze flushed and replaced every 2 or 3 years. If you need to top off in between changes, mix the correct color of antifreeze with water to avoid freezing up in the winter.
- Busted Belt(s)
Some people refer to broken serpentine belts as “Snow Snakes”. While serpentine fan belts do last a long time, like all black snakes sitting in the snow.
Older belts not only crack, but they also become hard and brittle. In extremely cold temps, this could even result in belts that are so hard, they won’t turn on the pulleys. They simply spin and make a terrible noise.
Always have the serpentine belt(s) inspected before winter hits to ensure that they are in good condition. If a serpentine belt should break, it will leave you stranded with a vehicle that either won’t start, one that overheats, or one with a dead battery.
No matter how you look at it, those “snow snakes” need to be inspected and changed once they show signs of wear.
- Wiper Woes
Is there anything more annoying than wipers that smear or wipers that are so old they come apart when you try to use them?
In the coldest winter months, old wiper blades can become hard, brittle, and they crack or they just don’t work as they should.
Wiper blades are crucial to safe driving. They are inexpensive and are worth their weight in gold in the winter.
Have your wipers inspected at least twice a year. If you have any doubts as to their condition, change them!
At the End of the Day
Very cold temperatures can affect all aspects of your vehicle. Keep yourself and your family safe by having your vehicle inspected before the coldest weather hits.
If your car is acting out of sorts or if you’ve noticed a problem, such as with the heater, defroster, or battery, call Hong Kong Auto Service right away.
We know how brutal Chicago winters can be on your car and we know that you need your vehicle back ASAP. The pros at Hong Kong Auto Service will be happy to answer any questions you may have and tell you what your vehicle needs so you can get back on the road in no time.
Call us today for a mid-winter checkup. You’ll be glad you did!