The Damage Winter Can Do to Your Car If You Don't Prepare Properly

Every winter inspection should start from the inside out. All necessary precautions must be taken to pass the season without accidents caused by cold or in the middle of the road in very cold weather.

Winter is coming, and with it low temperatures, winds and a lot of snow in places. If you live in a city where heavy snow covers everything in its path, then you know the effects the cold can have on your car.

“The winter months can create a lot of problems for your car. While today's vehicles are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, there are a few basic steps every driver must take as the days get shorter and temperatures drop," the Department of Motor Vehicles said in a statement.DMV, by its English abbreviation) on its website.

Winter can do a lot of damage to a car, so it's very important that you prevent yourself and protect your car before the extreme cold sets in. 

If you're not sure what winter damage can do to your car if you don't prepare properlyHere we will tell you some.

1.- It affects your car battery

In cold temperatures, your battery's performance may degrade, especially if it is several years old. Remember that the battery has a lifespan of 3 to 5 years, and if it is not used for a long time (which is very common in winter), it will die.

2.- Glass or windows

Extreme cold can weaken your car's windows, and while they won't necessarily break, they can be easily scratched. Also, windshield wipers are not strong enough to handle snowfall and breakage.

3.- Destroyed tires

Every savvy driver knows the dangers of driving in heavy snow or storms: tires slide on ice and can get stuck in the snow, and they can flatten if not used frequently. That's why there are special snow tires or the famous all-season tires that can be used all year round.

4.- Be careful with salt

In the winter, cars clear the snow and spray salt to melt the snow off the roads. This salt, combined with water, is harmful to the exterior of the car and can speed up the rust process.

5.- Don't let the car warm up before accelerating

In the 80s it was customary to let your engine warm up before driving, but now we have fuel injectors and sensors that make sure your car gets enough gas. However, it is still advisable to wait a few minutes before accelerating so that the engine gets the ideal amount of gasoline in cold weather.