How Cold Temperatures Affect Your Truck And What You Can Do About It

As if heavy winter snow and hours of shoveling weren’t enough, there is yet another reason to be wary of winter and it involves your truck. Cold weather can have a huge impact on the way your vehicle runs, which spells trouble for you down the road if you don’t know what to do about it. We’re looking at 4 common areas affected by cold temperatures and what you can do about it.

1. You’re In For A Long, Cold Wait
   One of the most obvious, and least traumatic ways that cold temperatures affect your truck has to do with your heating system. During the winter months vehicles notoriously take longer to heat up, meaning you’ll be in for a long, cold wait for some heat to pop on. Aside from your body taking a chilly wait in your truck, your engine will also be affected by the lack of heat. It takes 20 minutes after a cold start-up before your engine has reached efficient operating temperature.

2. Devastating To Your Battery
   When it comes to cold weather, it’s important to keep a watchful eye on your battery. Batteries are suggested to be between 30 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit to run smoothly, meaning that while cold weather may not necessarily kill your battery, it will make it harder for your truck to start up.

3. Thickening Of Car Fluids
   When temperatures drop, the fluids begin to thicken in your truck. Antifreeze, power steering fluid, oil, and transmission fluids need to be at a steady flow for your truck to run optimally. Always check your fluids for thickening or freezing.

4. Tire Pressure Woes
   When it comes to your commercial truck, the last thing you need is to lose tire pressure while you’re on the road. Commonly, tires lose a single pound (PSI) every time the temperature drops 10 degrees (Fahrenheit). This can mean danger for your tires, especially if you are driving under icy or snowy conditions.

Winterize Your Vehicle
Did your parents ever tell you to let your car heat up in the winter before taking off into the snow? This is still good advice that should be followed. Also, take good care of your vehicle in the cold by doing regular maintenance checks, always using the right engine oil, plugging in your battery on below freezing nights, and lubricating your vehicle.

Come in to Smith Springs for truck spring repair and winter time maintenance, and get your vehicle looked at to be running at its finest during these cold, winter months.