Maintain your vehicle!

Winter is tough, even for your car!

Winter sports enthusiasts won’t like it, but winter is hard. Hard on the driver, of course, but especially hard on the car. Because many things can be heavily affected by the cold.

Here are the top 10 hardest hit parts on your vehicle:

The battery

Everyone knows that the battery discharges faster in cold weather. A healthy battery will help you start better.

Engine oil

Imagine molasses, sitting outside in -25 degrees. Try mixing that molasses by hand. Impossible task. Having a block heater that you plug in will keep the oil at a better temperature, improve viscosity and enhance engine lubrication. Even the battery will thank you.

Fuel Hoses

Left your gas tank almost empty? Ice crystals may have formed and are blocking the fuel line. That’s because gasoline condenses, and if it has too much space, it takes advantage of it. So fill up before the cold weather comes!

Tires deflate

Temperature has a direct effect on tire inflation. Monitor the pressure (many cars now have monitors) regularly. There is also another solution: put nitrogen in your tires at the beginning of the season. They will be less sensitive to temperature changes.

Humidity in the cabin

You walk through deep snow, and shake your feet a little before you get back on board. The snow will melt, the water will soak the mat, and you’ll get more fog in the windows. Good rubber mats will prevent this. Or a good old-fashioned remedy of slipping cat litter in a cheesecloth under the passenger seat. No guarantees in the latter case, though.

The heating system

If your antifreeze fluid is not at the right level, or if you don’t use the right fluid, you may have problems all season long. Only a specialist can really help you in this case, however, because he can drain the old fluid and put in new.

Belts

Some belts are made of rubber and are more sensitive to cold. Don’t take any chances and in the fall, have a complete inspection of your vehicle, belts included.

The multimedia screen

Touch screens are great and more and more present. But some are sensitive to the cold, and will react more slowly to your commands. Some will go as far as turning off completely. Ideally, you should let the interior warm up a bit before handling it too much.

Beware of dirt

You don’t wash your car when it’s -25, that’s for sure. But if you have a garage, make sure you wash it at least once a month. Better yet, go to a detailing center. Not to mention making sure you’ve installed a good rust preventative before winter. The sand, gravel and calcium used to de-ice our roads are a formidable enemy, and only regular cleaning and a good preventive treatment by specialists can save you from it.

Watch the range

Of course, this is especially true for electric cars, which suffer a little more than their combustion counterparts. But remember that in winter, fuel or electricity consumption can increase considerably. We’re talking about 40% more for electric cars. Make sure you plan your trip well, and plan your recharging.

Winter is beautiful. But it’s cold. The best solution is to have your vehicle inspected by ICIPneu Touchette specialists. You’ll have peace of mind this winter!

Don’t hesitate to come and see us directly at one of our workshops. ICIPneu Touchette has a team ready to help you make the right choice. Our experts know their products inside and out and can tell you if your tires comply with Transport Québec regulations and if they are safe for winter driving.