Effects of Winter Weather on Your Car and Truck

The winter months can be harsh. Here in Idaho, we are very familiar with cold temperatures and plenty of snow, and such conditions are not necessarily nice to your vehicle. Knowing what the winter weather can do to your vehicle is the first step towards protecting it until spring rolls around again.

In this article, we are going to cover some of what you want to watch for during the winter, and some things you can do to minimize the effects of the harsh conditions. Of course, if you need any help from a professional service department, reach out to Taylor & Sons Chevrolet and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment.

Start with Your Tires

You might be surprised to learn that your tires can actually be one of the most affected elements of your vehicle when winter weather arrives. There are a couple of problems you might face in this area, and the first one is a loss of air pressure. When cold temperatures become the norm, the air in your tires will condense, and they will not be as full as a result.

With less pressure in place, the tire will flatten out on the bottom and more of the rubber will be on the road as you drive. That could lead to wearing out the tread prematurely, and you will deal with more rolling resistance – which means a decline in gas mileage.

Also, the rubber compound used to create your tires might not be suitable for winter weather, and the tires could get stiff as a result. This would lead to a decline in performance and you might not get as much grip on the road as you would like – and grip is particularly important during the winter season.

Stressing the Battery

Another issue brought on by cold temperatures is a decline in the strength of your battery. Have you ever noticed how it takes an extra moment or two on a cold morning for your battery to get the engine started? That’s not a big deal if the battery still has enough juice to get the job done in the end, but you might find yourself stranded if the battery comes up short and it can get the engine to turn over.

You are more likely to deal with problems in this area if you are using a battery that is at least a few years old. Car batteries gradually decline in strength as they age, so an older battery will be more likely to run into cold morning issues than a new one. Also, the severity of this issue depends on the temperatures outside. You won’t notice much of a difference on a relatively mild winter morning, but nights where the temperatures plunge below freezing can cause a problem.

Fluid Problems

There are many different fluids required to keep a standard vehicle with a gas engine running properly. While those vehicles won’t immediately be frozen up when the temperatures drop, you might experience a decline in performance as a result of the colder weather. Specifically, you’ll find that your engine oil gets thicker, and the transmission fluid that makes it possible to switch gears can also fail to perform as it should.

Fresh fluids, and the right fluids for the conditions, will go a long way on this point. For example, you might opt for synthetic oil rather than traditional motor oil, as it will hold up better in cold temperatures. It also tends to have a longer useful life in the engine, so while it’s more expensive to purchase, it can stretch out the interval between oil changes.

Aging Rubber Issues

We already mentioned that the rubber compound used in your tires might not be suitable for cold weather, but that’s not the only rubber used in your vehicle. There are other important areas where rubber is in play, including the belts that help the engine run and the seals around the doors and windows. Healthy rubber belts and seals shouldn’t have much trouble in the cold, but those that are already compromised by age or some other issues might not make it through the winter successfully.

Treating old rubber seals with silicone is one way to prevent them from giving you too much trouble in the winter. Of course, if they are particularly old or already cracked and damaged, replacing them instead might be the best way to go. There is also rubber used on your vehicle as the part of the windshield wiper that actually contacts the glass – this is an affordable component to replace so stay ahead of the game and make sure your wipers are ready for the winter season. After all, this is the time of year when they are expected to be used the most.

The Simple Solution

So, with so many things to worry about in the winter months with regard to your vehicle, what’s the answer? It all starts with maintenance. For all of the points above, we can see that proper vehicle maintenance on an ongoing basis will improve your chances of avoiding any trouble.

For example, if you have a battery under your hood that is only a year or two old, the cold weather is unlikely to give you trouble. The engine should fire right up even on a frigid morning since the battery still has plenty of juice available. Likewise, tires that are in good condition and feature a rubber compound that is capable of dealing with cold weather won’t lose traction on slippery roads.

Even if you love the beauty of the winter snow, you won’t necessarily like what it does to your car or truck. With a little help from Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, however, you can mitigate those issues and keep your vehicle in good condition throughout the winter season. We appreciate the time you have taken to visit our site and we look forward to serving you soon.

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