Climate changes dont affect just you―they also affect your car. Dont expect your car to function properly without some attention to its winter needs too. Engine Oil in Winter The oil in your engine changes depending on how hot or cold the engine is running. Because the outside temperatures will influence the internal temperature of your engine, you need to make sure youre using the proper oil for the conditions. During the winter months, if you live where temperatures get below freezing, youll want to switch over to thinner―less viscous―oil. If you run a 10W-30 in the summer, for example, try moving to a 5W-30 when changing your oil in winter. Engine Coolant Your cars coolant system is not intended only to keep your engine from overheating. It is also responsible for protecting your valuable engine against corrosion. Before the weather gets too cold, make sure you are using coolant with anti-freeze (ethylene-glycol) to help protect your engine. Every vehicle requires a certain ratio of coolant to water, for most vehicles, a winter ratio is 20% coolant to 80% water. Adjusting this ratio is an important step in winterizing your car, so if you need help, ask someone who is experienced and knowledgeable. The thermostatic valve has to be in correct working order and a faulty thermostat should be replaced. The main purpose of the thermostat is to help bring the engine to its optimum operating temperature in the shortest possible time and removing it will have long term effects. Cold Weather and Battery Capacity It isnt only your engine that doesnt like to start in the winter. Your battery capacity is reduced by the cold weather, too. A thorough inspection of your battery, cables, terminals, and fluid will help you make sure your car is ready for the winter. Check over the battery cables for cracks and breaks. The terminals should fit snugly with no loose connections. You can check your battery fluid by uncovering the refill hole (or sometimes holes). If the level is below the bottom of the cap, refill with distilled water. To read the level of charge in your battery, you will need to turn the engine off. Some batteries have a built-in hydrometer eye that tells you the amount of voltage remaining in the battery. If you prefer, a handheld hydrometer can be used to collect the same information. While youre inspecting your battery, look around for the manufacture date. Knowing how old your battery is can clue you in to when it will begin to lose charge. Shopping for a new battery? Never buy one with a six-month-old manufacture date. Give us a call or whatsapp on 0771002257
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 14:43:41 +0000
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