With colder mornings, you may start to notice the vehicle becoming difficult to start. This is especially true if you park your vehicle outdoors in the open air. The cold temperatures can affect your vehicle in different ways. The fuel tank may start to get condensation in it, which will make it difficult to start. The oil may also slow down and become think, which will be slow to get to the engine. You can always bring your vehicle in between maintenance inspections so we can examine it over. We will inspect the battery to help ensure it is running at an efficient capacity.

 

Keep the fuel tank full

 

It is recommended to keep the fuel tank at least half full in the winter. This is because if the fuel gets too low, condensation may begin to collect in there. If the condensation makes its way to the fuel lines, it could potentially cause issues. While in the fuel lines, it can freeze, which will prevent fuel being distributed throughout your vehicle. This can then lead to the vehicle not starting in the mornings, or any other time of the day that has the temperature at below thirty two degrees.

 

Oil may become thick and slow

 

The oil becomes thicker as the temperatures get cooler. The oil will then become slower as a result. When trying to start a cold engine, the engine has to try and push around the cold slow oil. This type of oil makes it difficult for the engine to spin and start. It is important to get the oil changed on a regular basis to keep fresh, clean, new oil available to the engine. The oil filter should also be changed regularly for the vehicle. Oil filters will catch particles and other debris that can cause damage to the engine over time. The oil itself may also start to contain harmful contaminants to the engine. If you are unsure of how often to change the oil, we can help set up a schedule that works for you. That way you can keep your vehicle running the most efficient it can be.

 

The battery can be affected by the cold

 

The vehicle’s battery can also show signs of trouble in winter weather. A battery is full of chemicals that produce electrons. The chemical reaction inside the battery takes place more slowly when the battery is cold.  This results in the battery producing fewer electrons. The starter will then have less energy to work with when it tries to start the engine. The engine will then begin to crank slowly when you try to start the vehicle. The battery may also be performing poorly if it is old. If you suspect the battery is the issue, bring your vehicle in and we can inspect it and how it is charging. Sometimes a poor start does not always point to a poor battery. If the battery has worn out, we can replace it with one that will be more efficient.