Paying attention to the seasonal changes can have a large impact on your vehicle, from your engine and your tyres to your battery and your fluids. During different times and seasons the weather is different can effect how Your vehicle reacts and how it is maintained and operated to keep it running well. knowing how the different seasons can impact your vehicle can help you prepare for the changes and how to keep your vehicle running for all the seasons.
In this post we will look at how seasonal changes can effect our vehicle and how to adapat to keep in running well.
- Winter: Cold Temperatures and Harsh Conditions
Winter is the season when any vehicle goes through the most strain, as cold weather, snow and ice can have an adverse effect on many of its parts.
- Engine Performance
Hard Starting: Low outside temperature increases the viscosity of oil (its ability to resist flow), making it harder for the engine to turn over and start. This added friction also leads to additional wear for both the engine and the starter motor. Better flow rates at low temperature of synthetic oils can help alleviate this problem.
Chilling Out: Battery strain At temperatures as low as 0C, a battery’s capacity can be reduced by up to 50 per cent. That can make it harder to get your car to start. In addition, cold weather can increase the demand on your battery by making it work harder to run the engine and electrical system.
Tip: If you live in extremely cold climates, you can use a block heater to avoid cold start problems. Also, have your battery tested before the season begins so that it’s ready to function when winter hits.
- Tire Performance
Loss of Traction: Lower temperatures reduce the elasticity and softness of the tire and lessen their ability to hold the road, particularly on icy or snow covered roads. Winter tyres remain soft in lower temperature conditions and provide improved grip.
Tire Pressure: When temperatures drop, the air inside your tires contracts, thus lowering tire pressure. Underinflated tires reduce fuel efficiency, wear out prematurely and cause a loss of vehicle control.
TIP: If you live where there is a significant amount of snow and icy conditions, consider using winter tires. Keep a close watch on and, if necessary, inflate your tyre pressure during the winter months.
- Fluids
Coolant/Antifreeze: Winter is a time when your coolant, also known as antifreeze, is especially important. You certainly don’t want your engine to freeze! Check your coolant (chock-full of corrosion-resistant chemicals) to make certain it is clean, at proper levels, and is properly 50/50 mixed (half antifreeze, half water) so as not to freeze.
Windshield Washer Fluid: Standard washer fluid can freeze in the cold. Try not to use ordinary washer fluid during winter months as it can freeze in the cold. Use washer fluid that is made specifically for winter.
Note: Check all fluid levels before winter and fill with winter-grade fluids where appropriate.
- Braking System
Diminished Function As brake components become colder, they tend not to function as efficiently, particularly in the presence of moisture that might freeze. Road salt and other provided de-icing agents also accelerate rime and corrosion in the brake components.
Tip: Every month check your brakes during winter and spray off road salt to prevent corrosion. Get your brake fluid checked and flushed.
- Spring: Transition and Renewal
Spring means warmer temperatures and the chance to get over the damage done by winter, but spring itself can bring trouble too.
- Tire Care
Seasons Change, Tires Should, Too: If you installed winter tires in the fall, replace them before spring. Driving on warm, dry pavement in winter rubber compromises your traction and shortens the wear life of all tires.
Alignment and Balancing: Potholes, which are a common result of winter, can throw your wheels out of alignment and cause tire imbalance. Loose and uneven tire wear and poor handling could be the outcome.
Tip: New ideas this time of the year! Make sure you get a wheel alignment and balance after winter.
- Suspension and Steering
Pothole Damage: Winter freezing/thawing causes this problem, which will damage your suspension and steering components… Symptoms include pulling to one side, vibrations, and clunk noise.
Tip: Following winter, have your suspension and steering systems checked, particularly if you hit any potholes. Damaged components can be replaced early, which will help to prevent future problems.
- Fluid Levels and Condition
Oil and Filters:Spring is a great time to change your oil and change filters – particularly if you used winter-grade oil. Fresh oil and clean filters mean your engine will perform its best, as it gets hotter.
Hint: In spring, an oil change, replacing of filters and a general check of all liquids might be good to get your vehicle through the summer.
- Clean and Protect
Washing and Detailing: Road salt and grime from winter months can cause rust and corrosion when left for an extended period, which can eventually cause mechanical failures. Washing the car can help remove these corrosives form the undercarriage.
Waxing Your Car, Paint Protection: Both wax and protective sealants keep your car’s paint in top condition. Several months should go by in the cold weather before you find yourself waxing your car again as needed, so Spring is a great time to apply some of your first protective products and get it in that showroom look before the warm weather starts coming in.
Regular spring attention to washing and waxing helps protect against rust and corrosion.
- Summer: Heat and Heavy Use
While winter brings different challenges in the form of rugged driving conditions, extreme temperatures, dozens of short trips over a snow-covered driveway, and heavy use by out-of-town guests, summer introduces a different set of problems: hot weather that causes the engine to run hot, and summer vacations with lengthy road trips that take a toll on the car.
- Engine Cooling System
Overheating Risk: High temperatures increase the load placed on your engine cooling system, which could lead to overheating if the levels of coolant are low or the radiator is blockaged.
AC System: The air conditioning is always being used in summer, and if your AC is not working properly the drive can get uncomfortable. Moreover, if the engine is not also working well it will lead to additional wear and tear.
Tip: make sure to check the coolant levels often – as your car runs out of coolant, it will have to work harder to remove heat, which can impact the longevity of your engine. The radiator and cooling system should also be in top shape. Have your car serviced especially if your AC system was not maintained well during the cold months.
- Tire Care
Extreme Heat: High temperatures cause tire pressures to increase and, combined with heat build-up and ageing, may cause tyres to fail suddenly. External factors such as debris or road hazards can also contribute to tyre failure. Tires become brittle with age and should be replaced before they reach six to 10 years old – even if they have little or no tread left. When tires have passed their expiration date, they can blowout even at low speeds. When it comes to tyre safety, the appearance of no problem may be misleading. Many drivers are unaware that skinny tires with tiny tread designs (more like stripes) or ‘run-flat’ tires are inherently less safe than the tires they replaced.
Traction and also Tread Wear: Excessive heat, especially combined with long road trips at relatively high speed, can accelerate both traction and also tread wear.
Tip: Keep an eye on your tire pressure – especially on hot days – and make sure your tyres are in good shape before any big road trips.
- Battery Health
- Heat Damage: While heat can shorten the life of a battery by speeding up the chemical reaction, it runs the bigger risk of overcharging. As the temperature rises, it causes the battery fluid to evaporate and in turn corrode the terminals.
Prevention: Keep your battery clean and corrosion-free, and have it tested before summer. Make sure it’s well-secured so it won’t bounce around on summer road trips.
- Braking System
Wear And Tear: Longer drives in the summer, especially family holidays, may cause more stress on braking components from longer tours and heavier loads. High temperatures can also deteriorate brake system performance from overheating.
TIP: Inspect brake pads, rotors and fluid before summer driving. Upgrade to high-performance brake pads if you tow or drive in mountains.
- Autumn: Preparation for Winter
Whatever the size, pets such as act as companions.Just like we should be preparing our vehicles for winter, when the weather gets colder, any issues we encounter during this season might become more dangerous or worse.
- Tire Care
Tire Change: Switch to winter tires if you live in an area where winters are cold. Winter tires provide better traction than all-season tires when the temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or when the roads are wet or covered in ice.
Tire Pressure: Cooler temperatures means that your tire pressure will be lower. Underinflated tires can cause problems with traction.
Tip: Check tire pressure carefully as it starts to get cooler and fit snow tyres if required.
- Battery Maintenance
Battery Check: Cold weather puts extra strains on your battery, so make sure it’s in good condition before the winter season. Batteries near the end of their life can fail in cold weather.
Hint: Have your battery tested in the fall and replace if there are signs of weakness. Clean any terminal corrosion for good electrical contact.
- Fluid Check
Antifreeze: Make sure your cooling system has the proper combination of antifreeze so that it doesn’t freeze up through the winter. This is a good time to get a cooling system flush and new antifreeze put in if needed.
Get an oil change! Only using a winter-grade oil can make it easier for your engine to start in cold temperatures (I particularly appreciate those two words ‘winter-grade’).
Tip: Conduct a complete fluid check and fill up or replace fluids before winter hits.
- Wiper Blades and Lights
Visibility: Autumn is the time of year for rain, fog, and short days, so good visibility is a must. Be sure that your windshield wipers are in good working order. If they are streaking or skipping, replace them with new ones. Check to be sure all of your lights are working, including headlights, tail lights, and turn signals.
Tip: Replace wiper blades when worn, and make sure that your lights are bright and reflective as days shorten in winter.
Conclusion: Adapting to Seasonal Changes for Optimal Car Performance
Changes in the seasonal can have a big effect on your car with each season presenting challenges that many drivers may not even be aware of. If you know how the changes will affect your car and what you can do then you can continue to drive in safety and stay within the law. Most people don’t manage to maintain their car’s performance and safety in each different season but knowing what can go wrong with your vehicle and taking sensible precautions, could save you a lot of trouble. When you do need help it’s a good idea to know exactly what service is on offer and apply that information to drive safer.
