How Cold Temperatures Affect your Vehicle – What You Should Know

• Posted on January 13, 2020

 

January in Southeastern Wisconsin usually comes with temperatures in the single digits, with wind chills feeling painful and sometimes even dangerous. We touched on winter car care tips in our blog post last month—check it out right here – but today we want to get even deeper into the subject.

Here at WJ Kuhn Automotive, we’ve seen first-hand what cold weather can do to vehicles. Let’s get into how cold temperatures affect your vehicle and what every Wisconsin car owner should know!

 

Thick Oil

A very common occurrence in winter is thickening oil. The oil will become thicker and thicker in consistency as the temperatures drop. When the temperature reaches lower than 20 below zero, engine oil can become so thick, your car may struggle to circulate it and pick it up correctly. It’s not only oil that thickens—many car fluids including power steering, brake and transmission fluids also respond in a similar way to cold weather. Stop into WJ Kuhn to address your car’s oil and necessary fluids. We can recommend appropriate cold-weather fluids for your specific make and model to help keep your car in working order.

 

Slipping Transmission

Cold weather can cause a slew of issues with a vehicle’s transmission. Transmission systems can freeze and contract the lines, causing leaks in seals or low pressure. Here are a few problems we often see:

• Vehicle takes longer to shift gears than normal
• Vehicle will rev up for a long period of time
• Vehicle is slower to start than normal

WJ Kuhn Automotive can help to maintain a stable and reliable transmission system in your vehicle. Schedule an appointment to get your transmission system checked along with all pressure/fluid levels.

 

Fuel Line Ice

Thankfully, the temperatures in Wisconsin don’t get cold enough to freeze the gasoline in your car (gasoline will freeze at -100°). The problem that we run into is the moisture that gets into the fuel line can freeze and cause clogs. The best way to combat this issue is to always keep your gas tank at least half-full. If you’re having issues with your fuel lines, the team at WJ Kuhn has robust diagnostic services to get you back up and running in no time.

 

Spark Plug Reliability

Bitter cold temperature will weaken the reliability of your vehicle’s spark plugs. If you have bad spark plugs it can prevent your vehicle from starting. Schedule an appointment with WJ Kuhn Automotive to have your vehicle’s electrical system checked out. We’ll take a look at your spark plugs, wires, sensors and your starter. This is the best way to keep your transmission in tip-top shape!

 

Poor or No Heat

A likely cause of a car that runs but has no heat is a stuck thermostat. A vehicle thermostat regulates the coolant temperature in the engine. If it is stuck, it may be allowing the coolant to always run through the radiator—which keeps it too cool to allow adequate heat in the cabin. “The most common issue with poor heat in cold weather is due to a malfunctioning engine thermostat. My advice is whenever a car overheats, hose leaks, radiator leaks or if the car has suffered from a simple lack of maintenance—replace the thermostat.”

A stuck thermostat is not typically a big job for a mechanic and the part is relatively inexpensive. Get in touch with WJ Kuhn Automotive to get a free estimate. You can often tell if you have this issue by observing your car’s temperature gauge (if it has one). If it always stays near the cold side and the engine is not warming up properly, it’s likely due to a stuck thermostat.

Also, visually observe the level of the coolant after the car is warmed up. The coolant should be higher in the reservoir when the car is at running temperature. Your car’s heating and cooling system uses the coolant to moveheat from the engine into your car’s heater core (that’s the small radiator hidden behind the engine). A fan blows over this heater core and the warmed air enters the cabin. If there is no coolant it can’t work!

Aside from these relatively simple things, your car may have a belt/belt tension issue or a water pump that is worn out or not working. A water pump is a more expensive fix and if your car is older, don’t be surprised if the mechanic suggests some other maintenance items since getting at it may require some disassembly of the engine.

 

Many weather-related vehicle issues can be avoided with proper maintenance and check-ups.  Schedule an appointment here, call us at 414-762-7900 or stop by our convenient location at 8511 S. Howell Avenue in Oak Creek.