Winter is coming, and so are car problems. From a car that won’t start in cold weather to flat tyres and fogging windshield, freezing temperatures and car problems seem to go hand in hand. This video below describes the major winter car problems and how you can avoid them.
Winters are no joke, so being prepared for whatever mother nature throws at you is crucial. Knowing how to prevent some of these common winter car problems with the tips featured here will keep drivers safer and happier.
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The following are common car problems in the cold weather and easy ways to avoid them.
1. Deflated Tyres
As the air in your tyres gets colder, it contracts and has less pressure and becomes underinflated affecting traction, handling, and its overall life, which is why it’s so important to check tyre pressure regularly. Check your tyre pressure more often than you usually would; GoMechanic recommends once a week during the cold weather.
2. Dead Battery
Winter is tough on batteries. If your car won’t start in the extreme cold, one of the most likely problems is a dead battery. Batteries lose about 35% of their power when the mercury dips down to 32 degrees, and when it hits 0 degrees, that battery has lost 60% of its oomph. The good news is that it can be an easy fix: jumper cables are not hard to use. But to avoid a dead battery altogether, we suggest keeping its connections clean, tight, and free of corrosion.
3. Failed Spark Plugs
The ignition system needs more attention when the temperatures dip, and older spark plugs can fail when it’s cold because they’re more susceptible to corrosion. This makes it hard for them to spark and leave drivers out in the cold. Spark plugs should be checked as part of overall vehicle maintenance; don’t wait until they no longer fire to have them looked at. Any old, worn, or cracked plugs should be replaced.
4. Thick Or High Viscous Oil
As it gets colder, oil gets thicker. At times, oil gets so thick that the engine’s oil pump struggles even to pick it up and circulate it. GoMechanic recommends switching to low-viscosity oil in the winter. “Synthetic oils will help out a great deal,” Fully Synthetic oils can provide better startup performance and flow at temperatures down to -40 Fahrenheit.
5. Fogging Windshield
In a car, fogging is a common occurrence. However, it is pretty dangerous when the windows and windshield get fogged up as it can severely obscure the driver’s vision. The best way to stop fogging instantly is to match the temperatures both inside and outside. Once the temperature is reduced, the fogged-up glass windows and windshield should clear out.
The “defogger button” is a button with a box and three squiggly arrows pointing upwards. This button is handy for those vehicles that have to take on some of the coldest climates. Once activated, the defogger button sends air straight to the windshield.
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