How Do I Care For My Car In Winter Weather?

Battery 

A car battery is the lifeline of your vehicle, and it should always be in tip-top shape. Cold weather can really do a number on your battery and shorten its lifespan. Batteries are made from liquid electrolyte and the cold can cause water to evaporate out of that solution. This decreases the overall capacity of your battery and makes it harder to start your engine. This is why you should check your battery periodically, especially towards the end of autumn before winter sets in. This will help you to determine if your battery is in need of a replacement and avoid a costly bill when the time comes to replace it. 

Coolant 

Your car’s engine generates a lot of heat so you need a system to keep it cooled off. This is done by circulating coolant around the engine and radiator, where it dissipates heat. The liquid is made up of ethylene glycol, which lowers the freezing point and raises the water’s boiling point to allow it to circulate through your car’s cooling system regardless of the temperature outside. This is what’s known as antifreeze, and it helps prevent your engine from freezing over during those chilly winter days and nights. You should check your coolant levels to make sure it’s at a safe level and that it contains the right ratio of distilled water to antifreeze to avoid any potential corrosion. Most vehicles recommend a 50/50 mixture but you should also ask your technician what the ideal mix is for your vehicle and your region. 

Tires 

Tires are an important part of a vehicle, as they provide traction to help the car move across the road. This is especially true during winter when the weather can be icy and snowy. Tire pressure and tread depth are both important parts of your tires’ health. Keeping them healthy and in good shape will help them perform well during the winter. When a tire isn’t properly inflated, it can lose a significant amount of air and be susceptible to damage. The best way to prevent this is to make sure that your tires are always inflated to the proper level. Tires that are made for cold weather conditions have softer rubber than all-season tires, which allows them to grip the road even at lower temperatures. They also have better tread patterns, which helps them stay flexible in snowy and icy conditions. 

Brakes 

Driving in the winter requires a lot of braking power and it’s important to keep your brakes healthy so they can work at their best. A healthy braking system allows you to come to a safe stop without risking your safety or the safety of others on the road. During the winter, your vehicle’s brake pads and rotors will heat up more quickly than in the summer. This can cause them to wear down more rapidly and affect their ability to slow your car properly. Brake calipers can also be damaged by water from the outside if they are repeatedly exposed to rain and snow. This can weaken their structure and cause them to rust, which can lead to corrosion on the inside of the caliper. Rust can also contaminate the brake pads, which can result in noise and uneven braking when you hit the brakes. To avoid this, make sure you have your vehicle’s braking system checked for rust by an expert mechanic at least once a year. 

Ready to get your vehicle prepped for winter? Family owned and established in 1953, Lentz Auto Body has been the go-to source for vehicle service in Middletown and Belford for more than 60 years. Let their experience be your advantage for everything your vehicle needs!
 

Categorised in: Auto Maintenance

This post was written by admin