In the bitter depths of winter, the cold seeps into your bones. The ice, snow, and extremely low temperatures can seem to weigh on your soul, but they can also damage your car!
The 3 things mechanics suggest you watch out for in the blistering weather:
1. Tires
- Ice on tires won’t melt if it’s too cold. It collects on your fender wells, and also the rims and tires themselves, or even behind the hubcaps. Icy tires might throw the balance of the wheels off, create a feeling of instability when driving. The simplest solution could be to just kick the ice off the tires.
- Be aware of tire pressure. When air cools, it reduces in size, making the tires deflate. This might cause a feeling of not gripping the road properly.
2. Electrical System
- A medium-charged battery will struggle in very cold temperatures (even though it will work just fine in warmer air).
- Check your alternators and starters. It might appear to be a low battery, but it could mean that the alternator is just not holding a charge.
3. Antifreeze
- If you feel like your heating system isn’t working well, it might be that you don’t have enough antifreeze.
- If you’re filling up your antifreeze too frequently, you need to check with a mechanic to find the leak. Antifreeze doesn’t evaporate, it’s contained in a sealed system under pressure, so double check with your mechanic that there are no escape paths possible.
From the personal injury lawyers of Christensen & Hymas, keep yourself and your car safe in these miserably cold conditions!