While there are some cars that are capable of handling cold-weather terrain with their upgraded features, such as all-wheel drive and adaptive suspension, most cars just don't measure up the same as SUVs or trucks in cold weather. Because of this, if you do drive a car and the winters get pretty tough, you will have to be vigilant about keeping tabs on things that can go wrong and require a trip to the auto repair shop. Here is a close look at some of the problems you may run into if you spend a lot of time navigating through cold, ice, and wintery precipitation in a regular car that may not be well equipped to handle it.
Suspension Damage
The undercarriage of the typical car sits pretty low to the ground, which means if you spend a lot of time traveling through ice and snow, you can definitely sustain some damage. Not only will lower components like the transmission pan and suspension be in danger, but the underlying engine components like a low-set radiator will also be at risk. Because of this, it is always best to avoid driving through heaps of snow when possible, and anytime you are forced to do so, take a good look under your car or have it checked out by a mechanic on occasion for signs of damage.
Transmission Troubles
Because cars usually only have front or rear-wheel drive capabilities, other than those that are equipped with all-wheel drive, it can be extremely hard on your transmission to shift to compensate in changing terrain in the winter. For example, when you are driving on regular pavement that becomes glazed over, you may have to manually shift gears and do so frequently just to keep tire rotations at a slower speed more offset from the RPMs of the engine. Make sure your transition is in good health before the onset of winter, and be especially mindful of signs of trouble during and after rough driving conditions.
Oil Viscosity Discrepancies
Engine oil will not technically freeze, but what it will do is change viscosity when the temperatures rapidly change. If you have a small car that does not have a very rugged engine build, this can mean oil flowing through the engine in some areas will be thicker and harder to cycle as usual. Unfortunately, if the problem is bad enough, it can create hassles with piston wear and other engine components. This is one reason why it is a good idea to keep your car parked in a garage if possible through the coldest months of the year.
If your car is starting to have troubles from the tough winter weather, take it to an auto repair shop, such as Green's Towing & Auto Repair Inc.
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