1. Thickening Fluids
When temperatures reach sub-zero levels, car fluids such as antifreeze, oil and transmission fluid will likely thicken or become less viscous. This way, the fluids are more likely to move less freely within your car's systems. To counter this, experts recommend you leave your car engine running for at least 10 minutes to warm up the fluids. You should also consider changing your car fluids before temperatures fall. Maintaining the fluids at recommended levels is advisable.
2. Dead Battery
A dead battery is among the most prevalent of car problems that you are likely to experience in the winter. When temperatures drop below freezing point, your car battery gets overworked. A dead battery can also be caused due to the fact that batteries power a lot of systems in the winter in comparison to other seasons. This includes your car heater and fog headlights. In the long run, the battery's capacity is likely to be diminished. Furthermore, if your car battery is 3 or 4 years old, you should consider purchasing a new one ahead of the cold season. The battery's capacity should be checked to determine whether it can pull through the cold season. This will also help you avoid a host of other car problems associated with dead car batteries.
3. Frozen Fuel Lines
This is a notable car problem that you may encounter in the winter. Your car's fuel lines may freeze during the cold weather because of condensation which tends to form in the gas tank. More so when you run low on fuel. Freezing temperatures may also cause the condensation to freeze preventing the fuel from reaching your car's engine. This may explain why you experience numerous car problems during winter.
4. Wiper Failure
This common car problem is caused by failure to clear windshields before turning on the wipers. Cold weather, typically characterized by rain and hailstorms causes wiper blades to get torn and transmissions to break. When temperatures dip, it also overrides your washer fluid's freezing point. Because the blades are made from rubber, pressure from snow, slush and ice will likely break them. Set your car's fan controls and heater on defrost overnight to prevent wiper failure and other related car problems when temperatures fall below freezing point. This lowers the chances of broken knobs and switches.
5. Tire Pressure
When temperatures drop the tire pressure of your car can fluctuate. Tire pressure also decreases when your car is stationary. You should check the tire pressure indicator on your dashboard regularly every time you start your car. This will help you avoid car problems that are related to low or high tire pressure. Normally, such problems lead to irregular wear and tear - this is what shortens the lifespan of your tire. It can also cause a total tire blowout during your drive.
6. Leakages
When water penetrates cracks on the road during winter, pavements tend to chip away, which paves way for the formation of potholes. This tends to happen during constant freeze-thaw cycles. Damage of this sort can also occur to your car when water freezes with your car's steering, engine transmission, and braking systems. This leads to cracks and leakages that ultimately cause total malfunctioning.
Related Articles:
6 Things You Should NEVER Leave In a Freezing Cold Car
If you live in an area with sub-zero temperatures and snowy winters, there are a few items you should never leave in a freezing car for too long.
Handy Tips: Prepare Your Car For the Winter!
With November almost breathing down our necks, we are fast approaching that accident prone of all seasons - winter. Take a look!
Stop Your Pipes From Freezing with This Simple Hack
Don't let your pipes freeze this winter! Here's how to go about it.
Driving in Bad Weather Needn't Be Dangerous with These Tips
Drive safely in bad weather by bearing in mind these six essential tips.
8 Crucial Car Tips Everyone Should Know About
Learn 8 great car tips that are useful even after years of sitting behind a steering wheel!
Make Your Winter Easier With These Helpful Tips!
As we enter deeper into fall, we know winter is just around the corner. Stay ahead of it by arming yourself with some great knowledge.
Collection: The Airplanes That Conquered the Skies
Before you are 10 posts that will each take you to a world of airplanes, so you get a wide range of fascinating planes to learn about!
13 Lesser-Known Car Facts That May Surprise You
We're so used to cars that we sometimes forget that their history is incredibly interesting.
Step Inside the Cockpits of These Amazing Planes
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get behind the controls of some of the most exciting planes and helicopters ever built? Well wonder no more!
These Cars are Completely Bizarre and Hilarious!
From cars that look like other things to cars that look like they are about to fight zombies to cars that are half a motorcycle!
This Daredevil Motorcyclist Will Leave You Petrified!
Get ready to watch one of the most dangerous acts ever performed on TV, as a stunt motorcyclist performs a dangerous routine around Howie Mandel.
These Remarkable Cars Broke the Land Speed Record!
Having broken the speed of sound, designers are developing a car designed to travel at 1000 mph. Here are the other cars that have broken the land speed record.
Maintain Your Car's Value Longer With These Top Tips
Cars often decrease in value over the years, but these tips will ensure that your car value will be maintained.
These Were the Fastest Production Cars Money Could Buy
Many records have been broken as part of man's relentless pursuit of more and more speed. Each of these 16 cars has held the production car speed record.
Ancient Wheels: 15 of the Oldest Vehicles in Human History
Check out these amazingly cool retro automobiles.
These Ships Make Sure You Travel the Seas in Style
If you're a fan of travel, then you won't want to miss this video on the craziest cruise-ships ever made
I Have No Idea What These Drivers Were Thinking...
These crazy car drivers are off the chart wacky!
The Car, the Star: 12 Famous Cars From Movies and TV
There were many famous cars in movies and TV over the years, but some stand out above all the others. Here are the 12 most famous ever to grace our screens.
Yikes! These Cars Are Truly The Worst Ever Made...
Some cars are a really a blot on the world's roads. From hideous styling, to pathetic performance and alarming safety, these 15 are the worst of the worst.
Crazy! I Have Never Seen Vehicles Loaded Like This Before
I thought I had overloaded my car before, and been on some crowded buses and trains. But I have never seen anything like these overcrowded vehicles!
A ROYAL History of the Rolls-Royce Car
For 119 years, Rolls-Royce has exemplified a unique blend of creativity, invention, and luxury.
These Cold-War Military Jets Are Amazing Pieces of Work
These airplanes saw action during the extremely tense cold war. Looking at how big and powerful they are, it's a god send things didn't spiral out of control!
10 Groundbreaking Cars that Changed the Auto Industry
There have been many innovative cars that have come to market over the decades, however these 10 cars were revolutionary. Take a look at these 10 game-changers.
Days Of Future Past: 14 Bizarre Cars From Bygone Eras
These wacky retro car concepts are seriously so cool.
The Very First Models of Famous Car Brands
Photos of the first models of these 10 well-known car manufacturers, so you can get an idea of where they came from and where they are now...
It's Crazy That These Highly Valuable Cars Were Abandoned!
It's incredible to think that these highly valuable cars were forgotten about in garages and barns for so long. Check out these incredible barn find cars.
The Dubious History of the Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Beetle is a special vehicle and it has a long and very complicated history...
The Bus-Train: A Game-Changer in Public Transportation
Hop aboard the 'Dual-Mode Vehicle (DMV)' – a bus that can transform into a train.
These 17 Beautiful Vintage Cars Are a Treat to the Eyes
Fan of vintage cars? Then you will love this collection.
This Might Have Been the Strangest Aircraft Ever Built
The Fairey Rotodyn was a remarkable aircraft that could have transformed air travel forever. What happened to it?
Rolling Sculptures: The Most Beautiful Art Deco Cars Ever
The art deco era arguably gave rise to the most beautiful cars ever built. Let's take a journey back in time and see 12 of these extraordinary vehicles.
I Wish They Still Made Cars Like These Classic Hot Rods
Hot rodders spend their spare time fixing and transforming classic cars. See the stunning cars their dedication has produced.
You Feel like Royalty Inside These 10 Exotic Trains
Hop aboard some of the most luxurious train rides of the world in this video.
Cadzilla: One of the Most Beautiful Cars Ever Made!
This may be the most beautiful Cadillac car.
Takeoff to Touchdown: The Science of Flight Explained!
Ever wondered how do planes actually fly? This video explains it all in the simplest way possible.
20 Most Unusual Vehicles You Won't Believe Actually Exist
So, which one of these weird cars would you like to drive?
All Aboard the Fastest Steam Trains in Locomotive History!
Who doesn't feel a child-like nostalgic thrill when encountering a great, big steam engine? And these are the 18 fastest in locomotive history. Enjoy!
This is What Happens to Your Car When You Hit Speed Bumps
Ever wonder what happens to your car when you go over speed bumps? This video will show you using a transparent car.
This Subway Train Has a Beautiful Secret Inside...
What looks like a regular subway from the outside, offers a suddenly luxurious experience inside!
It's Incredible That These Weird Planes Ever Took Flight...
Some very clever men have created some extremely weird vehicles in the past century. In fact, these are probably the most bizarre aircraft ever. Take a look.
"Rare & Expensive" Doesn't Do These Muscle Cars Justice...
Rare and expensive are terms that don't do these muscle cars justice. Some are completely unique, while others actually started legends. Here they are!
Discover the Delights of the Darjeeling Line In India
The intrepid explorer, Mark Twain, took this train journey on his travels through Asia during the late 19th Century. Come and explore this enchanting railway.
Tupolev Tu-16: The Most Dangerous Soviet Passenger Plane
In the 1950s, the Soviet Union converted their popular bomber Tu-16 into a commercial airliner - a move they paid a heavy price for.
These Cars from the 40s and 50s Are Still Beautiful to Me
These classic US Cars of the 40s and 50s will make you feel nostalgic.
11 Forgotten Standard Car Features We Don't Use Anymore
Would you want these old car features to be brought back?
24 Beautiful Vintage Cars That Make Me Pine for the Past
Who wouldn't love to ride these early motor cars?
Hyperion XP-1: The Electric Car of the Future is Here
Hyperion XP-1 is a prime example of the potential of electric vehicles and is considered one of the most impressive and unique cars available.