Your Car and the Winter

The winter seasons are a very fickle time on the road. The weather gets remarkably

cold, dropping down to freezing temperatures for most states, and the roads get

slippery and icy. Sudden snowstorms can arise making driving conditions remarkably

dangerous, and visibility extremely poor. There are many preparations that you can do

to make sure your car is ready for the winter months and able to handle the extreme

conditions when they hit. Most of these things are actually quite necessary if you want

to remain safe while driving in the winter, as otherwise the car could suffer or you

could very easily lose control of it. After the winter months, as well, it’s important to

fix what it was you did for the oncoming dry seasons.

Getting Winter Tires for Your Car

The biggest issue with driving in the winter is the fact that there is almost no traction

on the road most of the time. The snow can make the roads wet, which eventually

freezes over into ice. Black ice is notoriously bad in the winter time as it’s practically

invisible and can give a sudden lack of traction to your vehicle. Lack of traction means

when you turn the wheel it stops responding, and you lose control. Fortunately you can

buy winter tires for your car and get them installed before the roads get too bad.

Winter tires are heavier duty than regular tires and often have studs that give them

extra traction. It’s still dangerous to hit ice even with winter tires, but it does give you

a significantly higher chance of retaining control.

Winter Safety Kits

Sometimes some crazy things can happen in the winter time and you might end up

stranded. While this doesn’t seem like a bad thing normally in the summer season, in the winter season, temperatures can drop below freezing and become very dangerous. This is why it’s important to stock your car with a winter safety kit, to be ready in case you get stuck somewhere away from civilization and have to wait for pick-up, or for conditions to clear up. A winter safety kit contains most of the things you’d expect it to, including blankets,

rations, clean water, hand warmers, as well as jumper cables and spare fluid changes

in case you have car issues that need tending to.

Cleaning Up After Winter

In the winter the cities and road maintenance crews typically put salt or sand down on

the roads to keep traction and melt the ice. This is because these materials are

oxidizers. They also react with metal in the same fashion, which is why a lot of cars

end up needing repairs after the winter. An oxidizer causes metal to rust quickly, and

that can put holes in the parts and ruin sections of the car. Getting it cleaned regularly

during and after winter to prevent this is very important. Furthermore, removing the

studded winter tires is crucial since they will cause a loss of fuel efficiency and could

potentially damage the road and the car when driving in conditions they were not

designed for. With a little bit of effort a car can get out of the winter without taking

any damage.

The Little Things in Your Car

The more we advance in years, the more features get packed into a car. Features that

we now use every day, like power windows or even windshield wash, were all once

upon a time luxuries in a car for people to pay extra for. Nowadays all of these things

are offered quite freely as standard features, and even more things are being added to

car luxuries. With so many features being put into a car on an annual basis, it’s no

surprise that extra maintenance is required. A lot of people neglect to think about

these things when it comes to maintaining their cars, as they’re features they take for

granted, but your car is packed with little jobs you need to do all the time without

realizing it.

The Wipers

One of the biggest features people take for granted are the windshield wipers. They

are a crucial part of driving safety these days and installed in every car. They help us

see when we’re driving in the rain and are used to clean the windshield quickly with

windshield washer fluid. But people don’t realize that windshield wipers require some

forms of maintenance as well. Keeping them clean of debris, for example, is a major

factor in keeping them effective. During the winter it’s important to clean the snow

from your windshield so that you don’t burn out the motor the wipers are operated

with by making them push a lot of weight. They’re designed to clean, not to move

things, so they do require some help. And if they stop working optimally, it might be

time to look into windshield wiper replacements.

Your Steering Wheel

Steering wheels have always been an advancing part of the car. It started as a mere

column in the floor directly connected to the front axle so that if the wheel was turned,

the axle was turned. As time advanced, there were more indirect methods taken,

allowing room for the suspension and other features that came along in car design.

Nowadays there is power steering, an automated system that help you turn the wheel

and keeps the wheel centered otherwise. But this is an electric system, like any other in

the car, and requires maintenance. Furthermore it can be greatly affected if your tire

alignment is off, meaning you need to take care of your car to get the most out of it.

Automatic Transmission

Older cars were all designed in a very similar way. This is referred to now as ‘standard’

transmission, but in the last few decades it’s become more and more rare. It’s actually

harder now to find standard cars over automatic cars, loaded with automatic

transmission. This is a mechanism in the car that does some of the work for you. With

standard cars you had to watch and listen and switch gears so that the car continued

to function and pick up speed. With automatic transmissions, the car does all this for

you with sensors. All this requires maintenance as well, making sure that the sensors

continue to work or else your engine can be damaged, just as easily as that.

The Lifeblood of Your Vehicle

A vehicle has a need for a variety of different fluids that run throughout its systems to

make sure it runs effectively. However, unlike a human being whose kidneys filters out

these fluids and keeps them fresh, a car’s lifeblood eventually becomes dirty, leaks out

or simply dries up, which is why it needs to be replaced quite often and an eye must be

kept on the levels with frequent fluid checks. Each different fluid has a unique purpose

within the car, and there are so many different fluids to keep it all running. Between

the fuel to the oil, to the coolants and beyond, even the antifreeze needs to be topped

up from time to time to make sure everything is completely optimal for maximum

vehicular and fuel efficiency.

The Fuel

It’s pretty common knowledge that a car needs fuel to run. Gasoline, or other fuels if

your vehicle is larger, is used in the engine to create combustion, which is used to

pump the pistons up and down. This motion turns the motor which generates

electricity that the car can use to run all of its systems. Without any fuel in the fuel

systems there is no combustion, so nothing happens in the engine. The problem is if

fuel is left in the pipes it can grow stagnant, and the build-up of fumes can cause

damage. This is usually only a problem in long-term storage, which is why it’s

important to go and turn your car on for a few minutes every so often when it’s stored

away, to keep the lines from getting too dried up and rusty.

The Coolant

Because the engine runs on combustion, it can get quite hot. This is where another of

the system’s vital fluids comes into play; the coolant. The coolant is a fluid that

absorbs the heat from the engine and helps to keep it cool. The coolant is quite

important to make sure that the vehicle keeps from overheating, and general

inspections should be performed regularly to make sure the coolant remains efficient

and the tank it’s stored in remains full. If the engine overheats, then it can be severely

damaged and engine repair costs significantly more than simple fluid checks and

replacement coolant, so it’s always in your best interest to keep the coolant at good

levels.

The Oil

Oil is a very crucial part to an engine’s performance. Engine oil is used to keep all of

the parts moving properly, and to prevent friction from building up and causing many

problems. Oil is used as a lubricant to make sure all the moving parts move smoothly

and evenly, without any rubbing or lost energy. The more friction that’s built up the

more energy is expended to move them. This means more fuel has to be burned to

have the same output as normal if the oil is dirty or failing to do its job. Fortunately it’s

relatively easy to check the oil of your car and the tools are available to most common

people to perform oil changes themselves if they know what they’re doing.

The Service Engine Soon Light

One day, you could be driving along and all of a sudden, your service engine soon light comes on. The first thing that crosses your mind may be the cost that is going to be involved with whatever needs to be repaired. The next thing that crosses your mind may be the cause of the light coming on. What could be wrong with the car that made that light come on when it did? How soon should I take it to a mechanic? Once you find out the basics of this light, you will feel more confident on how to handle this problem when it appears.

What Could Be Wrong?

Before you can determine what is wrong, you must first understand what the service light means. The service light is often confused with the check engine light. The check engine light is a light to alert you to a possible problem with the exhaust system, particularly the emissions. It will let you know that there is an increased concentration of carbon monoxide that is being emitted through your exhaust system. The service engine soon light can cover a myriad of problems, from minor to major. Once you have determined that it is the service engine light that is illuminated and not the check engine light, you will have to perform an inspection to determine where the problem is located. 

How Soon is Soon?

Your service engine light should not be considered a panic button. Just because the light says soon does not necessarily mean that you will need to make a repair soon. It would be wise to have a thorough inspection done to determine if you have any serious problems. One thing you can do as soon as possible is to perform fluid checks. Make sure that you have enough engine oil, windshield wiper fluid, transmission, and brake fluids. Top off any levels that are low and check for any leaks or signs of wear or damage. You can also check the steering and suspension, exhaust, and electrical systems. The severity of the problems found during the inspection would determine the urgency of the repairs that are needed. Any leaks and clogs should be remedied as soon as possible, as these issues can severely affect the safety of the car. For instance, a leak in the brake line could cause the brakes to fail, resulting in an accident. If your car has a leak somewhere, you should not drive it until you get it fixed.

Do I Need a Professional?

Your decision to hire a professional depends upon your ability to perform the work yourself. If you have training in the car repair that is needed, then you can make the repairs. However, some repairs, such as engine replacement, are heavy jobs that would be very hard for a person to do in their garage. It is wise to take your car to an ASE master technician to have a bumper-to-bumper inspection. The technician can connect your car to a computer and run various diagnostics to determine the origin of the problem. They will also do a physical inspection, top off any low fluids, and give you a more complete picture of the health of your car. With the winter approaching, they can also give you some recommendations of how you can prepare your car for the upcoming weather. 

Repairing Damage to Your Car

Nobody likes it when their car picks up bumps and scrapes. Something as simple as a

pebble bouncing off of somebody’s back tire can put a huge crack in your windshield

that will only get worse with each other bump you go over, as the pressure on the

glass is increased. Parking in a parking lot always runs the risk of a car door smacking

yours or a cart running into it, causing a dent. The world is ripe with opportunities to

put dents, scrapes, scratches, and cracks in your car, and when this happens, chances

are you’ll be the one paying for the repairs, or at least the one having to deal with the

insurance companies to get them covered as the mechanics fix them.

Bumping Out Dents

There are few things as unsightly as a dent in the side of your car. Whether another car

door swung open and put it there, or you got nudged by a car while driving, it doesn’t

matter because the dent is there. Dents are particularly nasty to get out of the car, too,

especially if they come with scratches in the paint and other damage along with it.

Smaller bumps are a little easier to handle, as you can bump them out of the side, but

for the most part the damage requires going to a mechanic and getting them to bump

it out. You may need to repaint the entire section of the car where the bump was, if

you want to maintain an even and sleek coat.

Replacing Parts

Sometimes the damage might be fairly minor, such as the damage from a fender

bender. Perhaps a few bumps in the bumper is enough that you can live with it, but if a

light that was blown out when you were hit, or when you hit them. In this case it’s a

relatively easy fix if you’re willing to do a bit of work and mightn’t even need a

mechanic. Replacement parts for most vehicles can be found at local depots, and with

a bit of help from customer service you can find the parts for your specific model of

car, whether it be lights or other minor bits. For the much bigger parts that need

repairs, however, such as engine bits and the inner workings of the car, it’s best to go

to a mechanic.

Getting Repairs

In the case that the damage done to the car is quite extensive, you’re going to need to

either write it off or get repairs done to it. If the accident was caused by another car

chances are their insurance, if they are at fault, will cover the repairs for you, so make

sure you get the insurance company information. However the ASE master technicians at the repair shop are the ones who will be performing the car repairs. They will know what parts to order in and what parts need to be replaced. In the end it will be their call how much it all costs, so depending on the circumstances the accident can be quite bad on your

wallet, or it could get your car all fixed up.

Practicing Winter Safety on the Road

Winter is the time for snow, cold weather, and holidays. Beginning in November, many people will take to the roads to visit family and friends for the holidays. They will venture the roads, traveling for hundreds of miles, to spend that special time of year with their loved ones. To make sure that you make your trip safely, you should have a complete inspection of your car and prepare it for winter traveling. Practicing winter safety while on the road begins with a bumper-to-bumper inspection of your car and ends with safe driving habits.

Prepare Your Car

You should perform a complete inspection of your car beginning with the headlights. Make sure your headlights work and that they are clean so that they can provide optimum visibility. Check the windshield wipers and fluid. Make sure the wipers work and that they provide good visibility. Top off the wiper fluid if it is low. Check the oil, transmission fluid, and coolant levels. If you see any levels that are low, top those off with the appropriate fluid. Give a thorough inspection to your brakes and tires. Make sure your brake pads and tires are in good condition. If you notice a thin cushioning on the brake pads or excessive tire wear, you should replace all tires or both brakes, since brakes are paired. Inspect the spark plugs and wires and make sure they are in good condition. Clean off the top of the battery and make sure it has a good charge. You should also check the steering and suspension systems and make any repairs needed.

Prepare Your Winter Safety Kits

In the event that you are stranded, you should have winter safety kits at your disposal. This kit should include a first aid kit. Keep it fully stocked and be sure to replenish any supplies used out of it. You should have some blankets, hats, and gloves in your car to keep warm. Have a few bottles of water and a few snacks on hand, if you are traveling with children. Include a set of booster cables, de-icer fluid, ice scraper, shovel, and a small bag of kitty litter or sand. It would be wise to include an extra battery that is fully charged and make sure that your cell phone is charged before you leave out of your home. 

Drive Safely

It is very important to drive slower, especially in snowy and icy conditions. Driving slower will allow you greater control when stopping. It takes less fuel to come to a stop from a slower speed than it does from a higher speed. Allow plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. To avoid skidding, brake slowly. If you do find yourself skidding despite your best efforts, do not panic. Just turn the wheel in the direction of the skid and lightly tap the brakes. If you have antilock brakes, just apply an even pressure. Never stomp or stand on the brakes. Make sure that your windshield wipers are operational and that you have plenty of windshield washer fluid. The washer fluid helps to keep your windshield clean and keep grime and debris from accumulating on the surface. If you take your time and plan your journey, you will find that you will not have to drive at excessive speeds. You can contact your local AAA office if you need information on trip planning and route suggestions.