All it takes is a moment of discomfort or a tap of the remote start button to avoid major repairs.
Why you need to use this important car fluid this winter
Drivers are being warned that if they don’t check their antifreeze levels during cold weather, they risk serious engine damage.
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- Starting your car every day in winter is very important to prevent mechanical problems.
- Potential problems include a dead battery, stressed engine, frozen fuel lines, and more.
During major winter storms, you may want to avoid starting your car in frigid weather conditions. Leaving your car unattended for even a day can have a devastating effect on its mechanical components.
Modern cars may be more technologically advanced than cars from decades past, but they are still made up of fragile parts and require regular operation and maintenance for optimal performance. The cold isn’t just unbearable for drivers; It’s also tough on cars.
It’s been a historic winter for millions of Americans. According to the Weather Channel, some areas received nearly 38 inches of snow. Here’s why you should start your car every day, no matter how uncomfortable it is to head out to your driveway or parking lot.
4 reasons why you should start your car when it’s cold
Some of the reasons why engines, batteries, and other mechanical components need a quick workout in the cold are obvious, while others are less well-known.
Why you need to start your car every day in winter
- The battery may fail completely and the car will not start
- Freezing moisture can interfere with combustion in the internal combustion engine of the fuel system.
- Thick oil can strain the engine and cause damage
- Cracks in hoses and seals can result in leaks and component damage
When a driver starts the engine, several different parts work together to heat and prepare the vehicle, providing fuel, oil, and warmth to the necessary components. This process may be invisible, but as soon as you turn the key in the ignition or press the push-button starter, energy, fuel, and air are delivered to each component, and in the case of a typical gasoline-powered vehicle, the spark plug ignites the mixture and starts the vehicle.
Electric cars rely on high-voltage batteries to transfer energy to electric motors. EVs are very different, but periodically starting your electric car in cold weather to warm up the battery can be beneficial for your car, especially if it’s connected to a power source.
Car batteries can fail in cold weather
According to AAA.com, cold weather can slow down the chemical reactions needed to start your car. When this chemical reaction between your car’s battery and engine slows down, the battery can’t generate enough power to power your car.
In many states, cold winter temperatures can put more stress on your car battery than average spring, summer, and fall temperatures. If you want to avoid complete battery failure, it’s important to start your car before it gets too cold. If your car battery dies, you will need to jumpstart it to restart your car.
Frozen moisture can wreak havoc on your fuel system
A car’s fuel system uses the gasoline stored in the gas tank through refilling and delivers it to the engine at the appropriate time and pressure for the internal combustion process. This transmission process is essential for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to transfer power to the wheels.
Cold temperatures can cause condensation to form inside the gas tank and cause it to solidify. This condensation can freeze the fuel flow and prevent your car from starting. Keeping your tank full, using fuel additives, and keeping your vehicle warm as often as possible can help prevent moisture from forming and freezing within your car’s fuel system.
If your car isn’t warmed up, your car’s oil can put a strain on your engine
“During the winter, it can take some time for your engine to reach optimal operating temperature,” says Firestone Complete Auto Care. Cold temperatures can thicken the oil and slow its flow.
When oil thickens and slows its flow, it increases friction in your engine and other mechanical parts that rely on lubrication, which can cause catastrophic damage to your car’s critical components. In modern cars, the oil gets hot and flows quickly, but by taking enough time to warm up the oil before driving, you can reduce the serious strain on the engine.
Cold weather causes cracks in critical hoses and seals
Modern cars use many hoses and seals for things like radiators, fuel systems, and air conditioning. Hoses transport important fluids such as oil and fuel into your vehicle. Seals prevent dangerous leaks.
Rubber hoses can become stiff and brittle in cold weather. Low temperatures can also cause rubber seals to harden and shrink. Going from extremely cold to hot temperatures can cause hoses and seals to crack, but warming up your car for a few minutes can help keep hoses and seals at the right temperature.
Winter weather can completely destroy your car and many of its parts. The best way to keep major components in working condition during the winter is to warm up your vehicle regularly to avoid unnecessary and rapid stress on vehicle parts.
