Winter brings all sorts of trouble for your car. From dead batteries to problems with controlling your car on snow-laden roads, you have to face one difficulty after another. Thus, to prepare for the winter and to ensure your car remains functional, you have to go for a car service. But before that, you might want to learn more about the various problems your car might be facing to better counter them. Thus, we have come up with a blog that explores some of the most common winter problems in cars that require you to go for regular maintenance.
Trouble Starting The Car
Suppose you had left your car outside in the cold overnight, and the next day you find the car refusing to start, no matter what you do. This is perhaps a common scenario witnessed by a number of car owners. Thus, in this case, you might have to go for a car service. Before that, you can try to crank the car for several seconds and also ensure that all the electrical components in the car are turned off. Such as, you should make sure to check the radio, heater, cigarette lighter, lights, wiper, etc. are turned off. You can also try to jump-start the car.
You can also try a block heater to warm your engine if you are leaving your car overnight to prevent the engine and oil from freezing. Moreover, you can easily find a block heater, as they are quite cheap and run on electricity. Hence, you can prevent many issues this way. Lastly, you can also invest in a battery blanket. It can help you insulate the battery in case your car has to remain outside, exposed to freezing weather.
Facing A Dead Battery
Another common problem that most people face when driving in winter is a dead battery. While you can still work around a car that is failing to start, if you think your battery is dead, then the only option you might have is to jump-start your car to reach a nearby auto repair shop. Typically, a car battery can last around 3 to 5 years. Thus, keep that in mind if you start experiencing trouble during the winter. You should also note that a dead battery can easily cause problems when you go for an MOT check in Leicester.
This is why we suggest storing jumper cables, insulation, and sealant at hand to prepare for the worst, especially during winter. You should also ensure that you have an auto repair shop at hand, or closer to your commute, in case your car fails to start in the morning. Finally, you should check the battery for any corrosion or rust and make sure to fill it up with distilled water.
Low Tyre Pressure
During winter, tyres tend to lose air pressure, despite the fact whether you are using the car or not. This happens because the cold temperature contracts the air inside the tyres, which lowers the tyre pressure. Thus, you have to conduct regular tyre inspections to ensure your tyres are inflated properly. If you drive with underinflated tyres during winter, your chances of skidding or slipping increase, as underinflated tyres have low traction and poor road grip.
You should always drive carefully during the winter. If you find the TPMS notifying you regarding the low pressure, you should hit an auto repair shop to get your tyres looked at. Moreover, you can try to use proper winter tyres or invest in a snow tyre to combat bad road conditions during the winter. Also, keep an eye out for tyre pressure, as every 10-degree drop in temperature will cause your tyres to lose one psi of air pressure.
Problems With The Wiper Blades
In winter, you will also start experiencing problems with your wiper blades. Due to the extreme cold, the wipers might stop working and get jammed. In such a case, you might need to replace the wiper blades entirely. You can also try to use your defroster to defrost the wiper blades. However, the best solution would be to turn off the wipers when you are expecting heavy snow or low temperatures.
You can also try to lift the wiper arms upright in case it is expected to snow. Furthermore, you can always invest in a wiper that has a thick layer of rubber so that it can prevent the snow from building up and easily function without sticking to the windshield. Finally, you can use a solvent on your wipers that resists moisture and dries easily without freezing. You can add this antifreeze solvent to the washer.
Frozen Fuel And Car Fluids
The last problem you might have to face during winter is the frozen fuel lines and car fluids. Extreme weather conditions can easily cause the car fluids to freeze up and prevent the fuel system of your car from functioning. With the engine not receiving any fuel, you might experience trouble starting the car. However, if you simply wait it out, then the frozen fuel, when it defrosts, will mix water into the fuel, making it harder for your engine to function optimally.
Even then, keeping your car warm is the best option you might have to deal with this issue. You can also keep your gas tank full to avoid problems with the fuel line. Also, try to add dry gas or an anti-freeze agent to your fuel to prevent it from freezing under low temperatures.
