The winter season is a time for staying indoors and restoring your vehicle. The cold and wetness of winter make grease or oil working their way into a machine’s joints, valves, or bearings easier to spot. It’s also easy to forget how 2 inches of snow on the ground can cause havoc with your car until you are stuck in it. Here are some things you should be aware of this winter that could cause damage to your car:

1. Snowdrifts

Snow drifts can create road hazards and a danger to your vehicle and those around you if it is not kept to a minimum. Drifting snow creates wind shear, which can cause water in the snow near the tires to freeze or ice. A build-up of ice or snow on your car’s tires can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, causing crashes and other problems. This is especially true while driving in heavy traffic or in bad weather as you cannot see around objects that are up against your car.

2. Ice and Frost on the Exterior

If the temperature goes down below freezing, icicles can form all over your car’s exterior. These icicles can cause damage to your windows, mirrors, and windshield. Some people have reported snow and ice up to 1-2 inches in thickness on their windshields. If you spot these problems, call a professional immediately.

3. Antifreeze Issues

Antifreeze can freeze in your car’s cooling system, causing it to crack or burst. This can cause the coolant to leak out, which is a fire hazard. If it’s not fixed soon after you notice a leak in the coolant, your engine could be damaged, and it could cost you thousands of dollars.

4. Dirt and Grime

Winter weather can be a perfect breeding ground for mud and dirt to form. Dirt and grime can cling to your engine, causing an increase in your car’s engine temperature. This increases the risk of overheating to occur, which could cause permanent damage to your engine or motor. You can get into a cycle of overheating as the dirt sticks itself to the overheated metal, which causes even more heat.

5. Fogging 

Fogging can occur on the windshield, causing your car to be difficult to see through. If this occurs, you can lose control of your vehicle and find yourself in a crash. This is especially dangerous in areas that suffer from poor visibility or bad weather. If you see fogging happening, call a professional for help immediately.

6. Wind Damage Caused by Frozen Tires

Frozen tires will cause your vehicle’s braking to become unreliable, making driving dangerous and unpredictable. However, you can still have a problem if your road conditions are slippery as frozen tires won’t grip the road.

7. Mud and Slush

Mud and slush in your engine’s cooling system can cause additional heat to be put on your engine, which will increase it more. This can increase the risk of overheating even more as you are now overloading your car with heat. If you notice considerable mud or sludge building up in your cooling system, call a professional immediately for help.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, winter weather can cause damage to your car. If you notice any of the problems above, be sure to schedule an appointment at Pinecrest Shell to have your car serviced and repaired before it causes you any more problems.