In general, due to low temperatures, many drivers encounter difficulties before hitting the road. Experts urge them to be particularly vigilant and careful when handling their car during the winter months. Systematically warming up the vehicle every morning before going to work is not the best option to preserve the longevity of the engine. Without warning, in the long term, certain bad habits can harm it and your car battery. Here are some tips to follow to protect these essential components.
Warming up the engine before starting: is it a good idea?
The most seasoned drivers are well aware that low temperatures can have a negative impact on engine activity. It is very important to always check the engine fluids (antifreeze and oil) to ensure that they are in good condition and thus prevent them from being affected by the cold. Likewise, it is essential to test the battery correctly so as not to have any unpleasant surprises: it is better to avoid a breakdown in the middle of the mountains in the snow!
Some drivers have gotten into the habit of letting the engine run in the morning so it can warm up before hitting the road. They tend to think it can speed up the condensation process to get rid of the frost. So yes, it was perhaps the case with the old models, but today, in modern cars, this gesture is no longer necessary. Nowadays, if you heat the engine this way, for a few minutes, you risk damaging it over time. In other words, this practice is harmful: specialists recommend, on the contrary, to start the car and drive almost immediately after a few seconds. But be careful, it is very important to avoid high engine speeds: if you accelerate suddenly, harmful pollutants can be released and this can end up damaging the engine.
NB : It is very important to follow these tips when driving in winter. Otherwise, you risk causing unnecessary damage that may cost you a lot of money. So try to protect your car engine as much as possible, in order to reduce its level of wear and not shorten its life.
Start your car – Source: spm
In winter, remember to change the battery!
For its part, the battery is also put to the test in winter. Although the summer heat can also affect it, the problem is even more noticeable during the cold season.
And for good reason, it must draw more energy to try to start a cold engine. Therefore, if you feel that your battery is quite weak, it is better to consider replacing it before you even start winter. To compensate for a possible breakdown, which often happens unexpectedly, make sure you always have a jumper cable at hand. Keep it in the trunk, it may come in handy one day or another. For example, if you hear a slight noise when you turn the key, and starting seems difficult, it is very likely that your battery is discharged. Sometimes even when the battery is completely empty or the cables of the electrical system have come loose, you may not hear any sound.
Other signs of a dead battery include dashboard ignition lights not coming on or the car refusing to close with the remote central locking. In question, very often, the low temperatures which affect the chemical process which produces and stores the electricity inside the battery, thus slowing down its performance and reducing its capacity to maintain an optimal charge.
Car dashboard – Source: spm
Some tips to extend battery life
Do you use your car daily for short trips? It may then be useful to recharge the battery at least once a week during the winter months, especially if it is more than three years old. Keep in mind that very old and weaker batteries will generally have reduced performance and may fail at any time.
However, drivers can preserve its lifespan by taking a few precautions, such as turning off all appliances before shutting off the engine at the end of the trip. This includes wipers, heating and radio. This will prevent unnecessary draining of the battery until the next start.
Read also Changing Engine Oil In The Winter Is A Bad Idea: Here’s Why
Via SPM