Can Your Car Survive The Cold? 4 Winter Repairs To Take Care Of
If you live in a region of the United States that's experiencing freezing temperatures this winter, you need to pay close attention to your car. You might not realize this, but the colder temperatures can wreak havoc on your car. In fact, you can expect to experience a few more problems with your car once temperatures dip into the freezing range. If you're not sure what winter issues to look for, read the list provided below. Here are four car parts that might require repairs from an auto repair shop this winter.
Engine Belts
If your belts were in bad shape before winter arrived, there's a good chance that they won't survive the freezing temperatures. You might not realize this, but freezing temperatures can make your belts become quite brittle. When that happens, there's an increased risk that they'll break. Take a look at your engine belts. If they look frayed or damaged, or they already feel brittle, now's the time to have them replaced. Taking care of repairs in advance will help you to avoid breakdowns.
Fluid Hoses
If you're experiencing freezing temperatures this winter, now's the time to inspect the hoses on your car. Freezing temperatures can cause your fluid hoses to expand and contract. This is especially true if the fluid inside the hoses freezes. Unfortunately, the constant changes can cause the hoses to rupture. Before that happens, take a close look at the hoses. If you can see cracks in the hoses, visit a repair shop as soon as possible. Replacing the hoses before they rupture will help keep your car running this winter.
Engine Fluid
If you haven't had the oil changed in your car this winter, there's a good chance that you'll have some problems with the fluid. If you're new to car maintenance, or to freezing temperatures, you might not realize that your motor oil should be changed before winter arrives. That's because summer oil blends can actually thicken during the winter. If that happens, your car won't run properly. To prevent engine problems, have your oil changed right away.
Spark Plugs
Finally, if you haven't had a tuneup on your car in a while, and you can't remember the last time that the spark plugs were changed, now's the time to head to a repair shop. Depending on the condition of your spark plugs, they might not survive the winter. Unfortunately, if your spark plugs fail, there's a good chance that your car won't start. To avoid being stuck in the cold, have your worn-out spark plugs replaced immediately.