How To Protect Your Vehicle In The Cold

We are experiencing some of the coldest temperatures of the season right now.


One of the best ways to protect against winter vehicle trouble is to be sure your battery is fully charged and in proper working condition. At zero degrees your vehicles  battery can lose up to 60 percent of its power . At 32 degrees your  battery can be up to 35 percent weaker than at 70 degrees. A vehicles  that are  slow to start in 50 degree temperature may not start at all when the temperature dips below zero.

The most common sign of a weak battery is an unusual sound coming from the starter when the  key is turned,. You should have your battery tested to  monitor its  condition, especially  if your battery is more than two years old.

Here are s a few other factors to keep in mind in the cold weather.

Oil:

Oil that is dirty and contaminated will may  be sludgy.  Sludgy oil  makes the engine harder to turn over and start when the temperatures drop. 


Fuel:

Keep your  fuel tank at least half full in cold weather. Near empty fuel tanks are more likely to collect condensation which may freeze in the fuel lines and cause stalling or no starting in frigid temperatures.


Warm-Up:

Allow your vehicle to run for a minute and then drive slowly until the vehicle comes up to operating temperature. Extended warm-ups are not necessary


Coolant:

Antifreeze (engine coolant) should be mixed at a 50/50 ratio with water. This will protect your car's engine to 35 degrees below zero.


                                   Stay Warm- Drive Safe