Maintaining your car is important, no matter what time of year it is. Many people do not realize how much stress that the cold winter weather can put on your car's drivetrain. There are three main areas cold weather affects your vehicle. Your lubrication system, battery, and cooling system are the areas most affected. In order to prepare for the cold winter, be sure and check these areas and make sure you aren't going to be stranded in a snowstorm on the side of the road.
Battery
Yes, your battery. Your battery operates at its best right above room temperature. As winter creeps in, the performance of your battery decreases, up to 90% in the worst weather. You want to test your battery and make sure it still has most of its rated cranking power. The older a battery gets, the less capacity it has to build up and sustain a charge, and the cold weather does not help.
Motor Oil
Checking your motor oil should be part of your gas fill-up. You should also regularly change your oil. Oil's only purpose in your engine is to lubricate and cool moving parts, minimizing wear and tear. In cold weather, oil can get thick, so thick that it doesn't circulate properly. This poor circulation can lead to added stress and damage for the internal parts of your engine, a reduction in power, and reduced gas mileage. Consider those factors when choosing which motor oil is best for you.
In extremely cold weather, the performance needed from your lubricant is only offered with synthetic oil. Synthetic oil offers protection from the dangers of the cold because it retains its ability to flow at temperatures as low as -70 degrees. The benefits are seen in the summertime as well, since it retains its viscosity in higher temperatures. In cold weather, your battery is already performing below capacity. Your thick oil working against the weak battery is an invitation for disaster.
Cooling System
Every driver should know what an important role their vehicle's cooling system plays. Comprised of the radiator, thermostat, pump, the car's heater, and a bunch of hoses, it keeps your car running at normal operating temperatures. Most people think that the cooling system's only job is to keep the car from overheating. Not true. The cooling system also has the responsibility of getting the engine to normal operating temperatures as quickly as possible.
The cooling system is comprised of mostly water; and in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water freezes. When water freezes, it expands, causing cracked hoses, damaged pumps, even cracking the engine block is possible. It isn't hard to check how your antifreeze is performing. The tester doesn't cost very much, and they are easy to use and read. If your cooling system's freezing point isn't lower than the expected temperatures for your area, it is recommended that you add quality antifreeze to your system. Quality is important, because antifreeze is also the lubricant of your cooling system. Low-quality antifreeze may protect against freezing, but it may not lube your cooling system's parts, causing premature corrosion and failure.
Traditional antifreeze is an ethylene-glycol-based product. EG antifreeze has been growing less and less favorable, due to its potential environmental hazards, as well as it being deadly when pets or children drink the sweet liquid. Yes, ethylene glycol antifreeze has a sweet taste, not much different than your favorite powdered beverage, only adding to its dangers.
As a result, an antifreeze has been developed that uses propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is considered safe to the environment, as well as to animals and children in case of accidental ingestion. Propylene glycol also tastes foul, almost eliminating the chances of accidental ingestion. AMSOIL has a new propylene-glycol-based antifreeze that is compatible with both propylene and ethylene glycol, so a system flush is not required to use this safe product in your car, no matter what your current cooling system contains.
Preparing For Winter Conditions
Even if you have checked all of the above systems and made sure they are in the best possible shape with the highest quality of fluids and parts, situations still happen. It is always smart to be prepared for a winter emergency. Carry extra items that you might need to survive in case you get stranded in extreme weather. A blanket, extra food, and water can be a lifesaver if you get caught broke down in a storm. Even a shovel and sand can be useful if you need to dig yourself out of the snow or throw sand down to get traction on ice. Jumper cables might help you get a jump a lot faster if your temperature-beaten battery needs a boost. You also want to make sure you carry chains or use snow tires. By being properly prepared and following all of the above-mentioned guidelines, this winter season should be your safest and most enjoyable so far.
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