We had some record-setting cold temperatures this weekend, and our vehicles didn’t like it any more than we did. Extremely cold temperatures are not just hard on people but are also hard on our cars and trucks as well, especially if stored outside. What’s more, you can actually damage your engine by doing one simple thing that you have probably been told to do in the first place! The traditional wisdom in New England is that you need to let an engine idle for several minutes before driving it. While that was true for carbureted engines, it is not true for modern engines that use fuel-injection. Any fact, letting your engine idle for more than about 30 seconds can end up doing more harm than good. According to Stephen Ciatti, a mechanical engineer at the Argonne National Laboratory who specializes in internal combustion engines, letting your car idle in cold weather can actually damage your engine. Your internal combustion engine works by compressing a mixture of air and vaporized gasoline in a cylinder, and then igniting it; the resulting explosion moves a piston and generates power. Gasoline does not evaporate as efficiently at colder temperatures. When the engine is cold, the electronic fuel injector compensates for the reduced efficiency by pumping more gasoline than normal into the chamber, and continues to pump a higher fuel to air ration mixture until the engine’s temperature reaches about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This might not sound like a problem, but the extra gasoline in the chamber can actually was the lubricating oil off the chamber walls, which can cause engine damage. You want to heat the engine up as quickly as possible, and the best way to do that is to drive. That being said, it would not be advisable to start your engine and immediately floor it down the interstate. Ideally, you’d start your car, let it run for 15 seconds while checking your seat belt and mirrors, and then take it easy for the first several minutes of your drive. Think of it as easing into a morning run. And one the topic of cold weather: be sure to keep some extra warm clothes in your trunk just in case. Between cold weather, black ice, thin tires, and other winter hazards, it is important to be prepared for the possibility of being stuck on the side of the road for a little while.
4 Helpful Hints to Prepare Your Car for Winter
We have been fortunate this year to have an extra-long stretch of mild weather, but the sad truth is that winter will be here before we know it. In preparation of the white stuff, and all the hazardous road conditions that come with it, it is important to make sure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape. Tires are one of the single most important safety inspection items on your vehicle because they are what connect your vehicle to the road. At a minimum, you should have your tires inspected for adequate tread depth and to ensure that the tires are wearing evenly. The State of New Hampshire requires a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an inch, which is not very much. If your tries are getting down around 3/32 or 4/32, ask yourself if you really want to be driving on icy roads with tires that are on their way out. You might also want to consider getting snow tires. Snow tires provide better traction than all-season tires due to a combination of a more aggressive tread pattern, and a softer rubber compound. The result is a tire that grips winter roads exceptionally well. Be sure to have all of your fluids checked to ensure that your vehicle is running as it should. Having an adequate supply of clean motor oil and transmission fluid it crucial to the health of your vehicle, but don’t forget to check your wiper fluid as well. Driving down the road and being unable to clear the road salt off your windshield is not just an annoyance, it can be dangerous as it impedes visibility. Make sure that you have enough wiper fluid and that your windshield wipers clear the glass rather than smearing or leaving streaks. The cold weather can also take a toll on your car battery. If your battery is old and/or has a weak charge, you may find yourself unable to get your car started after an especially cold night. Be sure to have your battery tested to make sure that it will start right up. If you have ever found yourself wishing that your car had a remote starter or heated seats, it may interest you to know that both of these features are available as after-market options. Leaving for work when it is cold and dark in the morning can be a little more palatable with a pre-warmed vehicle.