Effects of cold weather on your car?

Question

I am sure that this can depend on the make and model of the vehicle, but what are some of the common effects that cold weather has on the driving experience and on the car in general? What have been some of your experiences with your cars?

Answer 1

Once the engine warms up it should be the same as usual, however the length of the time it takes for it to fully warm up will obviosuly be longer when it is very cold outside.
Some other changes you might notice. When it's very cold out your car may feel a bit more peppy. For every 10 degrees it goes down outside, you gain 1 HP. so between 20 degrees F and 90 degrees F you can actually gain 7 HP which might be enough to notice. This is because cold air is more dense and allows you to burn more fuel, which in turn gives you more power. Most of the time it's too little to notice.

Another thing.. cold tires are hard tires. Hard tires do not grip the road as well.

Lastly, the battery. Once it gets below freezing, your battery looses alot of it's ability to deliver power quickly. The colder it gets the more it's power is limited. You may notice that it's harder to start your car in the morning when it's REALLY cold. This is because the battery is probably putting out half of it's normal power, possibley less.

Answer 2

Winter driving should start in the fall. The first thing is to get your car ready for the winter. Check the tires for good thread depth, check for proper inflation, check the fluids, change the oil with a winter weight oil or use a synthetic oil that stays thinner in the winter and makes the engine easier to start. Clean the car, it may be your last chance before the weather hits. Make up an emergency kit in case you get stuck in the snow. Have some type of nonperishable food that won't freeze, and some type of liquid to drink, a flashlight, and have some sand in the trunk to use for traction, road flares, and a small shovel, just in case.

Now you're ready to drive in winter. Providing that you've cleared the windshield of all snow and ice. In bad weather, do slow down, and don't make any sudden steering moves if you can avoid it. Leave plenty of room for the car in front of you, use your turn signals.

Your car is a tool, having good tools is the most important thing in doing a good job. Drive safe

Answer 3

As long as you keep your anti-freeze fresh and keep your car tuned up well, and have a strong battery cold weather shouldnt be a problem. I learned all of that back when i first started driving-with my first car. Tried to run it in the dead of winter with water in the radiator instead of anti-freeze. I am so lucky i didnt crack the engine block. It froze up on me, but i was lucky enough to get it in the garage so it could thaw back out before any major damage was done.
Also good wiper blades for all the snow and ice help!

Answer 4

I really don't know anything about cars- all i've heard is that you have to wait a little longer for it to warm up i guess in the morning and make sure it has anti-freeze for the super cold weather.

Answer 5

it doesn't really have a effect on mine other than it takes a little longer for it to heat up so the heater will work