How to drive to keep your vehicle running in cold weather
Seven things to do when driving in cold temperatures
Driving in cold temperatures isn’t just uncomfortable for you. Your car also suffers from extreme temperatures, and cold weather makes it more likely that your car will stall out. To prevent that from happening, you can follow the seven tips below for driving in cold weather. Need a tune-up? Visit Sherwood Ford in Sherwood Park, AB.
Charge your battery by going for long drives This may seem counterintuitive but going for a long drive can actually help charge your battery. Many of us are used to taking long trips in the summer and avoid driving as much as possible during the winter. All those short trips you’re taking for your daily errand can wear out your battery faster and make it more likely that your car will stall out.
Turn off the radio every once in a while We get it; music might be the most interesting part of your commute, but it’s also one more thing for your battery to handle. If you’re taking a lot of short trips, and never turn your radio off, you’re setting yourself up for a dead car battery.
Check your battery’s voltage before you drive If you know a cold spell is coming, it might be a good idea to get your car’s battery checked. You can bring it to us for a check or do it yourself using a voltmeter. Replacing your battery before the cold weather is the surest way to prevent a dead battery. Remember that car batteries last for a few years before they need replacing.
Park inside whenever possible This may seem obvious, but parking in a garage keeps your vehicle slightly warmer. Even an enclosed parking garage provides some protection from wind and precipitation. The warmer you can keep the vehicle, the better for your battery. You’ll need to use the heat less often, which also saves some battery life.
Clean all of the snow off your vehicle before driving This also goes hand-in-hand with parking inside. The less snow and ice on your vehicle, the less weight your car has to deal with. If you have a truck, it’s better to clear out the entire bed of snow, which may seem like a pain, but keeps the extra weight off your car. Less weight means less drag and less energy needed to propel your car forward. Investing in a car cover or bed cover is a great option. We offer genuine Ford accessories here at Sherwood Ford.
Drive on the proper tires for weather conditions Winter tires with the right inflation are absolutely necessary for safe and efficient winter driving, and enhanced traction means your vehicle doesn’t have to work as hard to correct steering. Enhanced traction also improves your fuel economy, and having more fuel in winter is always important, which brings us to our last tip.
Keep fuel and antifreeze levels filled Keep your gas tank above half and keep antifreeze in your vehicle at all times. Check these two things often during cold weather to prevent critical issues which could keep your car from running.