How to Prevent Vehicle Damage from Cold Weather
April 24, 2017
Cold temperatures cause the fluids in your vehicle to thicken, which reduces their ability to lubricate. If you've ever seen that Thanksgiving gravy turn into "glop" when you put it the refrigerator, then you get the basic idea. When it's warm, gravy flows; when it's cold... no go!
1. Drive slowly for the first few minutes, so your vehicle has a chance to reach normal operating temps and fluids start flowing & lubricating as they should.
2. We know what you're thinking, but NO! DO NOT let your car idle for long periods of time. We like a toasty passenger compartment, too, but idling runs your engine rich which could damage your catalytic converter (a potentially expensive repair in its own right). It also wastes expensive fuel & gets you nowhere.
3. But even more - Idling can also damage the internal components of your engine. Some transmissions won't circulate the Automatic Transmission Fluid until you place the shifter into "Drive." That means the internal transmission components are spinning & spinning without any lubrication! Not good. Not. Good. {Really not good, got it? NO IDLING!}
Genesis Lee Myles Transmissions & Auto Care
Need Service?
More articles from Spartan Tire Brighton
![](/images/tuffy/default_news_imgs/5.jpg)
The ?Man-Made? Engine Oil (Synthetic Oil Change)
July 21, 2024
If you own a newer vehicle, your vehicles manufacturer may require that it use synthetic oil instead of conventional oil. Synthetic oils are more stable, dont break down as easily, and provide better engine protection than conventional oil. All those things can prolong the life of your engine an... More
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/autonettv.com/media/thumbs/BrakeService_Dave_Susanne_Alan_Shop_Report_v2.jpg)
The Need for Speed (Wheel Speed Sensor Maintenance)
July 14, 2024
Today's vehicles have some pretty amazing technology in them, including a computerized braking system we all pretty much take for granted these days. Antilock brake systems (ABS) have been around for years but they help drivers stop in much shorter distances reliably than ever before. When you ... More
![](/images/tuffy/default_news_imgs/1.jpg)
A Bright Spark (Ignition Coil Replacement)
July 7, 2024
Ever wonder how your vehicles engine is able to take the 12-volts from its battery and ramp that up to as high as the tens of thousands of volts it takes to fire its spark plugs? The secret is something called an ignition coil. Most newer vehicles have an ignition coil at each cylinder, but olde... More