CarGuard Administration is the number one choice for motorists looking for car protection plans during the winter season. It’s common knowledge that drivers will experience different challenges over freezing seasons, and that’s where the CarGuard Administration comes in.
Besides offering an affordable protection plan, it offers roadside assistance and a car substitution. Here are strategies for maintaining a functional car during the winter as outlined by experts from CarGuard Administration.
Tires Inflation Issues
In cold weather, the air in car tires will shrink, causing them to become over-inflated. The air pressure in the tires can drop as much as one psi for every 10-degree decrease in temperature.
This can lead to several problems, including a loss of traction, decreased gas mileage, and increased tire wear and tear. Check tire pressure regularly and adjust the inflation level as needed.
Also, acquiring winter tires might save the driver from unprecedented accidents that could damage and kill the car.
Fluids Thickening
When it’s cold, the fluids in your car can thicken up, causing problems with the engine and other car parts. This is especially a problem with automatic transmissions, which rely on fluids to lubricate and cool the gears.
If the fluids get too thick, they can damage the transmission, lead to engine problems, and decrease fuel efficiency. Other problems include decreased brake performance and difficulty starting the engine.
Motorists can prevent this by using a thinner fluid in the winter or adding a fluid conditioner to their car’s fluids.
Dying Car Battery
A car’s ability to work depends on its batteries, making wintertime maintenance even more critical. When the temperature falls below zero degrees Fahrenheit, a car battery can lose up to 60% of its power.
Also, the cold causes the battery’s chemical reaction to slow down. Batteries should provide more current when cold outside.
Depending on where you live and how often you drive, replacing a car battery every three to five years is ideal. Yet, a battery that performs well in the summertime may cause problems in the year. Carefully check the car battery for corrosion and the spark plugs twice.
Ice-filled Fuel Lines
When running short on fuel, the moisture in the car’s fuel lines might freeze and develop clogging inside the fuel pickup. CarGuard Administration advises drivers to maintain a gas tank to prevent any problems with ice fuel lines during the winter.
Filling up the gas tank where possible can save drivers from having regrettable situations. Also, adding a fuel line antifreeze to the fuel tank before the weather gets too cold can prevent this from happening.
Frozen Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers are designed to work in all weather conditions, but cold temperatures can make them less effective. If the car’s windshield wipers are frozen to the windshield, it can prevent them from working correctly. It’s also challenging to see while driving in snowy or icy conditions.
Drivers can try to thaw them out using a hairdryer or pouring hot water. In addition, spray a silicone lubricant on the windshield and the wipers to help them move more freely.
Unresponsive LCD
If the car has an infotainment screen with an LCD (liquid crystal display), it might behave strangely or become less responsive during winter. Like other fluids, liquid crystals slow down in colder temperatures.
It’s easier to keep LCDs from becoming cold with access to a garage. Waiting until the car has warmed up before playing music is the best approach to get them running smoothly.
Warm Up the Vehicle Before Driving Off
Severe colds can have several negative impacts on the car’s engine. One of the best ways to combat these effects is to take a few extra minutes to warm up the engine before driving.
Allowing the engine to run for a few minutes ensures that all moving parts are adequately lubricated. Besides, it’s another way of ensuring that the battery has enough power to start the engine later.
Inspect and Replace the Rubber Components
All cars have various rubber components, such as seals and hoses. In cold weather, these rubber components can become complex and brittle, which can cause them to crack or break.
Rubber that has stiffened can crack windshield wiper blades and destroy motor belts. Rubber gaskets around door jambs may get torn due to stiff rubber, making the door freeze shut. To avoid this, regularly check the rubber components. If there are cracks, replace the component immediately.
Watch Out For Salt Mixture on the Road
A salt mixture, frequently applied to streets before or after the arrival of snow and ice, lowers the freezing point of water, hence facilitating the melting of the ice.
A vehicle’s undercarriage, which is exposed to salt the most, may rust after being exposed to it repeatedly. Mufflers, brake systems, exhaust systems, and other components may rust or corrode.
It’s challenging to keep the underbelly of your automobile free from salt, especially if you live in a region where road salt is routinely used.
It can remain clean throughout the winter by bringing the automobile to service stations with an under-spray. It lessens the likelihood that the salty mixture will eat away at the automobile.
If you do experience any of these common problems during the winter, CarGuard Administration may be able to help with needed repairs.
Tips on How to Protect Your Car from Freezing Weather
Here are some tips to help you stay safe during severely cold weather:
- Park in a heated garage if you can
- Fill your car with a thicker type of fuel
- Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and has been serviced recently
- Keep a small emergency kit in your car, including a windshield scraper, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, and a blanket
- De-ice your car before driving it
Use a battery blanket or heated garage to keep your battery from dying in the cold
Bring a portable charger with you to keep your phones and other electronics charged in case your car battery dies to
Get the Best Vehicle Protection Plan Today
The advantages provided by CarGuard Administration to go far beyond the comprehensive coverage. The business provides its clients with roadside assistance.
If you have a vehicle protection plan, you can contact the provider whenever your automobile breaks down.
CarGuard Administration works with different partners in all localities who are dispatched immediately after the call. It provides a substitute rental car for lengthy repairs, ensuring that your journey proceeds smoothly. CarGuard Administration focuses on helping its clients save on costs and repairs.