As the cold winter weather approaches, it’s important to get your car ready for the challenges of this time of year. While there are several ways that you can winterize your car, the most important is changing your engine oil. The oil that you use during the warmer months typically won’t be suitable during the winter, and if you neglect to change your oil before lower temperatures arrive, big problems may result. Read on to find out why changing your oil before winter is so important, and get some other useful tips for winterizing your automobile.
Low Temperatures and Engine Oil
One of the things many people don’t understand about engine oil is that it needs to be at the correct viscosity to function properly. This is especially true during the winter season. When the outside temperature drops, most engine oils will thicken, which makes it very difficult for the oil to make its way through the system. If the oil is too thick, starting your car can be very difficult or impossible in some cases.
Choosing Your Engine Oil
If you want to make sure you’re choosing the right engine oil for winter, you should look for an oil that’s branded with the letter W. An oil with this letter is designed specifically for colder weather, meaning it will keep your engine protected throughout the winter season.
The number before the W indicates how effective the oil will be in the cold. If you want your engine to work the way it should, look for a 5W engine oil, which is the minimum recommended rating for driving in cold weather. For extreme cold, you may want to use a synthetic oil with an even lower W rating.
Other Car Winterization Tips
After you’ve squared away your engine oil, you can move on to winterizing the rest of your car. The cold winter months can be harsh on virtually every aspect of your automobile, so it’s important to make sure both the inside and outside of your car are ready for the frigid temperatures.
First, you should check the quality of your battery to make sure its ready for winter. If your battery is on the older side, extremely low temperatures may prevent it from functioning properly, meaning you may not be able to start your car. Visit your local dealership service department and have them check your battery to see if it needs to be replaced before winter arrives.
Second, if wintry precipitation is a concern in your area, you may want to invest in a set of snow tires. Having these tires on your vehicle means you’ll have the traction you need when the road is covered with snow and ice.
Lastly, pack an emergency kit in your car. Include blankets and warm clothes, smartphone battery chargers, and a supply of snacks and water so you’ll be safe if your car brakes down.
Change your oil before winter and winterize the rest of your car, and you should be able to easily make it through the coldest months.
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Image via Flickr by M I T C H Ǝ L L
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