Whether you’re cruising down sun-drenched highways or navigating through snow-laden streets, one thing remains constant: the importance of preparing your trusty vehicle for whatever the season throw at you. As seasons shift, ensuring your car is equipped to handle diverse weather conditions is not just a matter of convenience but also a vital safety measure. Let’s take a look at how specific weather can affect your automobile.
Cold Weather
As we start to move past winter and the cold weather, there might still be days when the windshields of our cars are frosted over, the ground littered with sprinkles of snow, and that 5-second scare of the car cranking. Caution is still needed, especially when the cold and winter elements are possible daily. Since the car’s battery is not warmed up and needs time to charge up, it may take longer than usual for the car to start up and function.
If you have a smartphone and have been in the cold for an extended period without using it, then you know the phone can stall, take time to turn on, and sometimes need to be warmed up in order to start working. It’s the same for a car, which has thousands of moving parts. Cold temperatures can also decrease the tire pressure, and create moments where driving is more challenging because of the reduced grip of the tire on the road. We suggest getting winter tires, which are designed to have better grip in cold and wet conditions, if you want to prevent this issue.
Snow and Ice
During cold weather, snow and ice will often come into play here in Virginia. Frozen precipitation is particular problematic, and can cause damage to your vehicle. Windshields or windows will be more susceptible to cracking, paint becomes more brittle, and dents happen more often. The cold also creates problems with the flow of electricity in the car’s battery, so it takes longer to start your vehicle in colder weather conditions. Older vehicles are more susceptible to this issue, but it can be mitigated with specific winter ready batteries and other maintenance.
Hot Weather
As warmer weather and the hot ball of gas in the sky known as the sun start returning, a different wave of problems arises. Of course, the sun is an excellent and welcoming sight for many people. But, for many people, as soon as it gets to the 90s and triple digits, it becomes a problem. This not only applies to us humans, but also to our automobiles. UV rays become an issue when there is a long time of exposure to the car’s paint, tires, and interior. It starts to break down the protective coats and the natural layers that protect the car’s paint, which protects your vehicle from rust, scratches, erosion, and any objects that may hit your car on the road.
When the temperatures rise they can cause issues on the surface of the road, as concrete and asphalt absorb heat. What are the four parts of the car that are always in direct contact with the road? Our tires! This means that the maintenance, care, and observation of your tires must be constant. Tires are built for extreme weather conditions, but it does not mean they won’t be impacted. Extreme heat temperatures can raise the tire pressure, cause the tires to dry, and create more cracks. Cracked rubber can ruin the integrity of the tire structure, leading to leaks or a potential blowout.
Proper Auto Care
Many of the methods that can help your car keep working are well-known. Park in covered areas such as a carport or garage whenever possible to prevent the direct impact of the elements. Have your batteries inspected, check your tire pressures regularly, get your oil changed regularly, and check on the timing belt and brakes, especially after the change of seasons. Avoid reckless driving, and stay off the roads when there is major weather events like blizzards and thunderstorms.
Now that you know all of the ways to keep your car protected from the elements, when was the last time you took your car in to check on your brakes? When was the last time you got your car system checked out? How long has your car check light been on? The team at KC Auto is prepared to help you with everything from the simplest of checkups to possible engine issues that may arise from the elements.
If you have any of these problems, contact the professionals at KC Automotive today for a checkup!
