With Jack Frost close on our heels, it’s time to break out the cozy sweaters and hot chocolate for the winter season. But while you're bundled up on your couch enjoying the warmth, your car is fighting to keep its parts from plummeting into the icy depths.
Winter is no walk in the park for us or our vehicles. From brittle wiper blades to broken down batteries, the cold weather can take a toll on your vehicle, leaving you scouring the internet for “Chevy service specials near me” in the hopes of saving your vehicle from an icy grave.
How do you protect your car battery from the winter weather, and what should you do to prepare for the season ahead? Keep reading to find out!
Do I Have to Worry about Colder Temperatures When It Comes to My Car?
Navigating the cold weather in your Chevy is no easy feat–and we’re not just talking about patches of ice.
Driving in cold temperatures can take a toll on your vehicle and its parts, increasing the chances you might be left stranded or dealing with the aftermath of an unexpected repair or problem.
There are three primary ways the cold can wreak havoc on your vehicle: decreasing battery life, fluid freeze-ups, and reduced tire grip.
Cold Weather and Your Battery
All vehicles–yes, even your new Chevy EV–rely on 12-volt batteries to get started. Most batteries use lead-acid chemistry to generate an electric current, which cranks the starter motor and helps you get on the road to your destination. This chemical reaction can slow down in colder temperatures, killing the life of your battery in the process.
Fluid Freeze
From your coolant to your engine oil, your Chevy’s fluid levels are some of the key components to keeping your car running smoothly. During winter, low temperatures can actually cause your fluids to freeze, making it difficult for them to circulate within your car.
Reduced Grip
Summer tires and all-season tires can actually stiffen and harden in colder temperatures. This stiffening actually makes it harder for the rubber to grip the road, making braking and steering more difficult and dangerous.
How to Keep Your Car Battery Warm When the Air is Cold
When rushing out the door in the morning, the last thing you want to deal with is a sputtering sound from the engine.
Cold weather is a major concern when it comes to your vehicle's battery performance. Your car battery is sensitive to changes in temperature, and low temperatures mean a higher risk that your battery becomes damaged or fails altogether.
Here are some key ways to prevent a dead battery before the cold sets in!
Keep Your Car on the Road
With temperatures plummeting outside and the darkness creeping in a little earlier thanks to the end of daylight savings time, it can be almost too easy to stay inside where it's warm.
However, staying warm may end up costing you your car battery’s life.
During the winter season, we recommend driving your car for at least 30 minutes once a week. Before getting out of your car, turn off headlights and other accessories in the cabin to ensure that there’s no extra strain on the battery.
Keep Your Car Warm and Protected
Just as we enjoy a fuzzy blanket or sweater to keep us warm, our car appreciates being kept warm. If possible, park your vehicle in a garage or sheltered space to help the different parts of your vehicle retain as much heat as possible.
Test Your Battery
A healthy battery is key to a long lifespan for your Chevy. As your car ages, the battery loses its ability to function in normal conditions, let alone in colder climates.
Our maintenance team at Legacy Chevrolet can help test the life of your battery! We can help gauge if your battery is ready to take on the cold or if it is time to visit our parts center for an investment in your ride.
10 Must-Do Tasks to Prep Your Chevy for the Winter Season
Keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape requires more than testing your battery (although that is a major factor)!
From your heater to your wiper blades, check out these top ten must-do tasks to prepare your car for the cold months ahead!
- Check your tire tread and pressure
- Check fluids levels and top off where needed
- Lubricate window tracks
- Coat the weather stripping and mating door surfaces with spray silicone
- Build a winter weather emergency kit (antifreeze, blanket, cell phone charger, etc.)
- Test your heater
- Check your brakes
- Replace windshield wipers
- Replace the cabin air filter
- Visit our Chevy service center in Greenwood, SC!
Bundle Up Your Ride for Winter with a Visit to Legacy Chevrolet!
While the winter season is jam-packed with good food and holiday cheer, nothing puts a damper on the spirit more than costly vehicle repairs.
Whether you are in desperate need of a battery test or an oil change in Greenwood, SC, our team is here to help! Our Legacy Chevrolet service center offers high-quality maintenance and repairs to locals, without any headaches or hassles.
Hearing some questionable noises when you hit the brakes and are on the hunt for a local Greenwood brake service in SC? Our Chevrolet Certified Service experts can not only check your brakes but also recommend quality new brakes for the road ahead.
Don’t wait for winter to reach its peak! Schedule a maintenance check and Chevrolet oil change near you today at Legacy Chevrolet!