If you are
unable to start your car in a subzero temperature which has gripped
most parts of the country, this is the good time to get your car
started in this rigid weather.
NHTSA provides winter
driving tips
The best
thing to take car in order to start your car in freezing weather is
to ensure that the charging system of the car’s battery is in good
condition and the engine is operating on the oil recommended by the
manufacturer.
According to
Mike Calkins, manager of technical services for the AAA travel
group's national office, suggests that the performance of your car in
extreme weather will improve is an engine block heater or an electric
battery blanket is added in the anti-winter battery. In winter, the
functioning of car batteries are less effective whereas, the load of
the engine is greater as the consistency of the oil is thicker. In
case the engine is cranking slowly, then you should check the battery
especially is the battery is being operated for more than three
years.
He further
added that the capacity of the battery reduces in winter
temperatures. The electrons within the battery slow down and the
chemical reaction within the battery which creates electricity is
slowed down when it is cold. Moreover, the charging system and the
alternator should also be checked along with the cleaning of the
battery terminals ensuring that the cables are under good condition
as well.
Making use
of the right quality of oil is very crucial because most of the
modern engines manufactured demand high viscosity oil like 5W-20
which have the consistency to flow easily in cold weather. On the
other side, there are vehicles which demand heavier oils like 10W-30
however, according to Calkins, heavier oils impose strain on the
battery and starter motor. Moreover, it can increase motor wear as
flowing in a normal rate takes much time.
Installing
electric battery blankets can help in reduce or prevent the loss of
reserve cranking power that occurs due to frigid temperatures. The
prices vary from 425 to that of $100.
Another
effective thing can be the engine block heater as its functioning is
to provide warn air to the heater which not only defrosts outlets
but, makes the engine easy to start as well. Alaska and anchorage are
the cities where engine block heaters are used the most. Their prices
vary from $150 - $200 inclusive of installation. A traditional way of
dealing with cold weathers is to use alcohol-based gas-line
antifreeze which tends to absorb moisture within the fuel system
however; nowadays they are not much useful. Calkins also refused
other traditional methods such as covering the car hood with a
blanket or tarp along with parking the car in shelter.
Other
recommendations given by AAA related to winter driving includes:
- The defroster and the heater should be under perfect working conditions so as to protect the windows and the windshield to get frosted up.
- The cooling system should be a combination of water and antifreeze so as to enable freeze protection.
- Emergency gear system should be installed even if the car is under proper winter maintenance.
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