Winter’s cold conditions can require some adjustments, especially when it comes to your vehicle. That’s because, as the temperature outside falls, your vehicle’s equipment will have more difficulty functioning properly. And this can mean there’s a greater likelihood of equipment malfunctions, vehicle breakdowns or even traffic accidents when the winter sets in.
How the Cold Can Affect Your Vehicle
A Denver car accident attorney explains how the winter can affect your vehicle.
Knowing how cold weather can impact your vehicle can help you make the right adjustments now to ensure good performance during your winter travels. So, when it comes to cold conditions and your vehicle, here’s what you should know:
- The cold can affect your tire pressure, lowering the pressure by an average of 1 psi for every 10 degrees (F) the weather drops (for the standard tire). Underinflated tires can make it more challenging to control a vehicle. It can also increase the risk of a blowout, especially with more adverse road conditions.
Winter tip – Check your vehicle’s tire tread and pressure prior to winter driving. While you may need to replace your tires, make it a habit to continue checking the pressure through wintertime (either monthly or weekly, depending on how much you drive).
- It can also drain voltage from your battery, and this can mean that your car takes more time to start or, worse yet, won’t start at all when it’s really cold out.
Winter tip – Make sure your vehicle’s battery is holding a charge before winter sets in. Replace the battery if not.
- The cold can change the viscosity of your vehicle’s fluids, making these fluids thicker as temperatures fall. This can means that it takes these fluids longer to flow through your vehicle, possibly creating problems in how your vehicle runs.
Winter tip – Consider changing your vehicle’s oil with cold weather-formulated oil. Also, refill the other fluids in your vehicle as needed.
- And it can damage other important equipment, such as your windshield wipers and your door locks (just to name a few). In fact, while the ice and slush can break wiper blades, freezing temperatures can cause your vehicle’s locks to freeze over.
Winter tip – Replace your windshield wipers and spray your vehicle’s locks (including the locks on the trunk and each door) with lubricant.
Contact an Experienced Denver Car Accident Attorney at Bell & Pollock, P.C.
If you have been injured in a traffic crash, you can turn to a Denver car accident attorney at Bell & Pollock, P.C. for experienced help advocating your rights and pursuing justice.
To find out more about how we can help you, call us at (303) 795-5900 or email our firm using the contact form on this page to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers. During this meeting, you will receive clear, honest legal advice about your case, your rights and your best options for moving forward.
From our offices conveniently located in Denver, Greenwood Village, and Steamboat Springs, our lawyers provide the highest quality legal services to injured people throughout the Denver metro area, Arapahoe County, Routt County and the state of Colorado.