How to Prepare Your Car for the Extreme Cold
Old Man Winter comes every year to a huge part of the northern states, and he brings with him some seriously bone-chilling temperatures. But don’t let the cold weather catch you off guard. With a little bit of preparation, you can ensure that your car is ready to brave the elements and keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.
Usually, preparing for cold weather is part and parcel with routine maintenance, but it becomes more important than ever when it’s considered extreme. There are a few car essentials for winter that will help you weather the storm, and a few good practices can take you the rest of the way.
Suggested Extreme Cold Weather Products
Portable Jump Starter
How to Start Your Car Easily in Extreme Cold
When the temperature is sub-zero, engine oil pours slower and increases the internal resistance to crank. To promote your car starting in cold weather, install an engine block heater or oil pan heater. These devices promote better oil flow by warming the engine ahead of time. If your factory-equipped block heater isn’t working, have it replaced. Plug it in one to two hours before you need to leave.
How to Have Your Car Run Smoothly in Extreme Cold
Once it’s started, keep your engine running well despite the bitterly cold temperatures. Moisture in the fuel can freeze, creating blockages that starve the engine of fuel. You can help prevent fuel lines from freezing by keeping at least half a tank of fuel. Also, gas line antifreeze products can capture water droplets, and one bottle can last for several fill-ups.
Stay Safe in Extreme Cold
Vehicles are more susceptible to breakdown in the extreme cold, and bad weather events increase the chances of going off the road or getting into an accident. Help often takes hours longer to arrive. To stay safe, keep an emergency kit in your car. For winter, it should have the following items:
- Blankets or sleeping bags to keep warm in case of a breakdown or stranded in bad weather
- A flashlight with extra batteries or a hand-crank flashlight
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- A first aid kit
- A small shovel, ice scraper, and snow brush
- Tire chains or traction mats
- A bag of sand or kitty litter for added traction
- Non-perishable food and water
- Warm clothing, such as gloves, hats, and boots
- A warning device such as flares or reflective triangle
- A basic tool kit including pliers, a screwdriver, and a wrench
- A cell phone charger or power bank
Most items can be used year-round and can be kept in your summer emergency kit too.
Care for Your Car Battery in Extreme Cold
Your battery’s cranking amperage is lower because the kinetic energy inside slows down, and that means your engine will turn over slower than usual. That’s natural. However, if your battery can’t hold enough cold cranking amperage (CCA) anymore, the extreme cold is when it’s going to be a problem and you won’t get started.
Get a free battery test before winter’s worst arrives, and replace the battery if it doesn’t pass its test or it’s marginal. Also, you can add a battery blanket to insulate and heat the battery, keeping the kinetic energy higher.
Protect the Tires in Extreme Cold
In sub-zero temperatures, the tread on an all-season tire is as hard as a hockey puck, and they tend to slide across ice almost as well. If you spin tires on acceleration, it can wear down your tread even faster than normal. Your best bet is to install a set of winter tires or snow tires that have softer rubber compound and more sipes to grip the road. Whether you’re using winter tires or all-seasons, ensure you have at least 4/32nds of tread remaining to help keep your car pointed where you want it to go.
Maintain Proper Fluid Levels in Extreme Cold
A well-maintained car is absolutely crucial in the cold, and that’s primarily related to the fluids. Here’s a good plan for winterizing car fluids:
- At every fuel fill, check and top up the windshield washer fluid with the coldest-rated fluid you can find.
- Check the coolant strength and level, and top it up in the radiator or reservoir.
- Make sure the power steering fluid is full and, if you aren’t sure what shape it’s in, exchange it for cold-weather fluid.
- If the brake fluid is low, top it up. If it’s dirty or milky, it has moisture in it and it should be flushed with clean fluid.
Keep the Windshield and Wiper Blades in Good Condition in Extreme Cold
Last but not least, you need to see where you’re going when you drive. If your windows are constantly fogging up or the wiper blades are leaving uncleared swaths, you put yourself at higher risk of a completely preventable accident.
Replace the wipers annually, and inspect each blade for nicks or tears before winter hits. If they freeze to the windshield and tear the edge, don’t wait – install new ones. And help prevent fogged-up or frosty windows by treating them with a windshield de-icer, inside and out.
Driving in the extreme cold is about protecting what you can and being prepared for the unexpected. For everything you need to winterize your car, shop at AutoZone. Find products from top brand names and Trustworthy Advice from AutoZone associates that will keep you motoring at your best, no matter what the thermometer says.
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FAQ/People Also Ask
How do I prepare my car for extreme cold weather?
Preventative maintenance is key to preparing for cold weather including fluids, tires, and the battery. Also, keep an emergency kit in your car.
What should I do to make sure my car starts easily in extreme cold?
When you can, park inside and out of the cold. Plug in your block heater and keep your battery topped up to help your car start better.
How can I keep my car running smoothly in extreme cold weather?
Treat your fuel with gas line antifreeze during every fuel fill to ensure it runs smoothly and the fuel line doesn’t freeze.
What steps should I take to ensure my car is safe to drive in extreme cold?
Stay on top of your routine maintenance and install winter tires to minimize the chance of issues while you drive in the cold.
How can I care for my car’s battery in extreme cold weather?
Ensure your battery is topped up on charge by avoiding short trips. You can install abattery blanket to help it stay warm, and get the battery tested before winter arrives.
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4 ways to protect your car from extreme cold
As most of the country experiences extreme cold the likes of which haven’t been seen in years, it’s understandable to be stressed at the thought of needing to go outside and drive. Even just motoring around town when the mercury shows negative temperatures can make you wish for an icy daiquiri on the beach. But if your car is well prepared for the weather, you can rest a bit easier. Here are four tips for keeping your car ready to go for this deep freeze.
Make sure you have enough gas in the tank.
A full tank minimizes the opportunity for moisture to build up and cause fuel system problems. Also, when just getting down the road is a white-knuckle experience, the gas gauge should be the last thing on your mind. It’s no fun to stand at the pump and fill your tank, but it is dangerous to be stranded with no fuel.
Check your oil
New cars use thinner, better-flowing oils compared to their vintage garage-mates. New domestic V-8s can use 0W-20 where 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil weights were common. (The number before the W is the weight, and lower means better-flowing.) Using heavier oil than recommended can cause damage under ideal conditions, and the cold temperatures will only exacerbate problems. Oil weight tends to be a bigger issue with conventional, rather than synthetic oil.
Make sure your battery is in shape
Cold starts are taxing on your battery. Check that your battery is within its expected life (past three years is worth taking to a auto parts store for a electrical check-up) and visually is in good condition. Make sure those terminals are nice and clean. You can also make it’s life a bit easier by turning off electrical accessories (radio, heater blower fan, headlights) when starting. If your engine cranked slow before it got cold, now might be the time to take the plunge and buy a new battery.
Add a block or oil heater
This tip is only for those who find themselves in extreme cold environments on a regular basis. An aftermarket heater that keeps some heat in the engine oil and coolant makes starting easier and also reduces wear on critical surfaces during warm-up. Don’t be foolish and simply lay a blanket on the hood or under the hood, as neither would hold the engine heat for an extended amount of time. If in the engine compartment it could even pose a fire hazard.
Spring is still far away, so unless you have to, think about not driving at at all and instead stay home and work on some winter projects for you fun-to-drive car.
How to Keep Car Engine from Freezing
As the winter months approach, it’s important to take steps to protect your car engine from freezing. Freezing temperatures can cause the engine to seize up, which can lead to costly repairs. By following a few simple steps, you can help to keep your engine running smoothly all winter long.
1. Use the Right Antifreeze
One of the most important things you can do to protect your engine from freezing is to use the right antifreeze. Antifreeze is a liquid that is added to your car’s cooling system to prevent it from freezing. There are several different types of antifreeze available, so it’s important to choose one that is compatible with your vehicle.
The most common type of antifreeze is ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is available in both pre-mixed and concentrated forms. Pre-mixed antifreeze is ready to use, while concentrated antifreeze must be mixed with water before it can be used.
When choosing an antifreeze, it’s important to consider the climate in which you live. If you live in a cold climate, you’ll need to use an antifreeze that is rated for low temperatures.
2. Check the Coolant Level
It’s also important to check the coolant level in your car’s cooling system regularly. The coolant level should be between the “full” and “low” marks on the coolant reservoir. If the coolant level is low, it could indicate a leak, which should be repaired as soon as possible.
3. Insulate the Engine
Another way to help protect your engine from freezing is to insulate it. There are a variety of engine insulation products available, such as engine blankets and radiator covers. Engine blankets are placed over the engine, while radiator covers fit over the radiator.
Engine insulation can help to keep the engine warm and prevent it from losing heat to the surrounding air. However, it’s important to note that engine insulation should not be used if your car is equipped with a turbocharger or supercharger.
4. Park in a Garage or Covered Area
If possible, park your car in a garage or covered area. This will help to protect it from the elements and keep it warmer. If you don’t have access to a garage, you can try to park your car in a shady area.
5. Use a Block Heater
A block heater is a device that is installed on your car’s engine block. Block heaters warm the engine block, which helps to keep the engine warm and prevent it from freezing. Block heaters are especially useful in cold climates.
6. Start Your Car Regularly
If you don’t drive your car very often, it’s important to start it regularly to keep the engine running smoothly. Starting your car will help to circulate the coolant and keep the engine from freezing.
7. Get a Battery Tender
A battery tender is a device that helps to keep your car battery charged. Battery tenders are especially useful in cold climates, where batteries can lose their charge more quickly. A battery tender can help to prevent your battery from dying and keep your car running smoothly.
Conclusion
By following these simple steps, you can help to keep your car engine from freezing this winter. Protecting your engine from freezing will help to keep your car running smoothly and avoid costly repairs.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/winter-cold-start-tips/
https://nodsauto.com/how-to-keep-car-engine-from-freezing/
