Rich & Lori Pelletier

OUR BLOG

4 Ways the Cold Weather Affects Your Vehicle

The low temperatures of winter can impact your vehicle and its components. Learn the consequences of the cold so you can ;prepare your car for winter ;with this post by ;Oilrich in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Everything in this world has a consequence. Nothing goes unnoticed or flies under the radar. Even the slightest change can influence the things around them in one way or another. For example, the temperature outside impacts nature, culture, you, and every little aspect of your life. It even affects your vehicle.

That's right: though your vehicle is a strong and powerful machine, the lower temperatures of the winter months can have consequences on it and its components. To make sure you will be able to navigate those consequences and ;prepare your car for winter ;properly, learn more about how the cold changes your vehicle with the post below.

Call ;Oilrich in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut ;at (203) 592-7113 or visit ;AMSOIL's online shop ;to place an order on the top products that can help keep your vehicle in top shape all year round.

How ;the Cold Weather Affects Your Car

The Battery May Deplete Much Faster

Without a functioning battery in good condition, your vehicle wouldn't be able to turn on. And even if it did, you wouldn't be able to use the lights, wipers, windows, radio, and other components that are key to your safety.

Unfortunately, the cold temperatures can take a toll on the battery, as they may cause it to deplete much faster than usual. If you want to use your vehicle normally and ensure it won't leave you stranded on the side of the road due to a faulty battery, keep an eye on it.

Luckily, if it's dead, recharging it will fix the issue. However, you should also ensure it's not corroded, worn down, or in need of a replacement so that it won't fail you when you need it the most.

The Vehicle's Fluids Can Perform Differently

Your vehicle works thanks to different systems that make a real effort to do their part and get you where you need to be. And some of these components need fluids to perform as expected and remain in working condition for longer.

However, these fluids (fuel, synthetic oil, coolant, transmission fluid, among others) can change their properties and perform differently when the temperatures are extremely low. Given their importance, this isn't good news. Not having the necessary fluids can result in a malfunctioning vehicle.

To avoid an inconvenience, ;prepare your car for winter ;with ;winter-grade fluid options that will resist the harsher conditions of winter.

To keep your engine going strong regardless of the temperature outside, you need to maintain it with ;AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil, the most effective synthetic oil in ;New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

The Tires Can Become Deflated

You need tires to ride your vehicle. Moreover, you need tires in good shape to ride your vehicle smoothly and safely. Especially in the winter, when the roads are slippery due to snow, ice, and other precipitation, having tires in top shape becomes even more imperative.

As you can probably guess, the cold air and the contact with the freezing ground can have adverse effects on the tires, their condition, and their performance. Mainly, they can affect tire pressure, which can be dangerous when you're driving around.

To ensure you won't have an accident as you drive, check that the tires are in good shape regularly and inflate them as needed (even the spare).

It Can ;Crack ;the ;Wiper Blades

One last way that the cold weather can affect your vehicle is that it can damage the wiper blades, crack their rubber and freeze the wiper fluid over.

Damaged or malfunctioning wiper blades can have serious consequences for your safety. It should go without saying that visibility is extremely important as you drive. However, the winter season is known for snow, rain, hail, and more precipitation. If your wiper blades don't work properly, these elements can block your view of what's going on on the road and your ability to react to it correctly.

To ;guarantee your windshield won't get blocked as you're driving around, check the wiper blades regularly and replace them when needed. Also, use a winter-grade option for the fluid to keep it from freezing.