Amidst all of the bundling up, holiday travel plans, and snow shoveling this winter, one mustn't forget that the family car, truck or SUV has needs, too. Maintenance is key for the longevity of your family's ride, and for the safety of everyone using it. With the challenges and stresses this cold season puts on vehicles and drivers alike, a little winter maintenance can go a long way towards confidence and peace of mind.
Winter maintenance has the added affect of potentially reducing the negative impact cold weather has on your vehicle's fuel mileage. Cold air is more dense, meaning your vehicle needs more fuel to move through it. Plus, you'll use electrical accessories (the heater and the remote start system) more often.
Add in the extra weight of snow carried beneath your vehicle, and the added friction of using winter tires, and it's easy to see why fuel consumption increases when the temperature drops.
Thankfully, some easy winter maintenance tips can help combat these negative consequences.
Winter maintenance Tip No. 1
Cooling System: Your car's cooling system is particularly important this time of year. In addition to containing a fluid that works to prevent your engine block from freezing and cracking, it also transfers heat into the vehicle cabin to keep occupants warm.
Your favourite mechanic can inspect the condition of your cooling system in an hour or so to ensure the fluid, pipes and hoses, pump, and all-important thermostat are all up to par.
Remember: A properly functioning cooling system allows your engine to reach its operating temperature and achieve optimal fuel mileage more quickly.
Winter Maintenance Tip No. 2
Tire Pressure: Checking and adjusting tire pressures is one of the easiest winter maintenance tasks required of your ride. An improperly inflated tire is not only a safety risk, but will cause the tire to wear down more quickly and cause your vehicle to drink more gas.
Check the pressure of your winter tires regularly to maintain good fuel mileage and the life of your tire. This is especially important when temperatures fluctuate wildly in transition months like December and March.
Winter Maintenance Tip No. 3
Air Filter: Don't forget your air filter during your winter maintenance check. Chances are, it's sucked up a lot of pollen, dust and dirt, as well as assorted insect life over the spring, summer and fall. A clogged air filter can cause your engine to use a whopping 50% more fuel than it needs to. Thankfully, most air filters can be changed for under $40 in a matter of minutes.
Winter Maintenance Tip No. 4
Fluids: Fluids all in top shape? If you don't remember when the last transmission fluid change, differential fluid change or coolant flush was performed on your vehicle then it's probably overdue.
Fluids should be kept topped up and fresh. If left too long they become old, ineffective and may even start to leak onto your driveway. A fresh oil change (possibly with synthetic oil), as well as new transmission and differential fluids all ensure internal components are lubricated optimally and protected from gas-sucking friction in the cooler months. Fresh fluids also reach their operating viscosity more quickly, helping further reduce fuel use.
Winter Maintenance Tip No. 5
Ignition System: Your engine's proper operation in the winter depends on a tiny and precise spark to ignite a precisely mixed blend of air and gasoline droplets. In the winter, especially at engine start-up, that ignition process is put to the test as the engine utilizes a richer and harder-to-burn fuel mixture. Installing a fresh set of spark plugs ensures your engine gets the best mileage possible, with added reliability in cold-start situations.
Winter maintenance has the added affect of potentially reducing the negative impact cold weather has on your vehicle's fuel mileage. Cold air is more dense, meaning your vehicle needs more fuel to move through it. Plus, you'll use electrical accessories (the heater and the remote start system) more often.
Add in the extra weight of snow carried beneath your vehicle, and the added friction of using winter tires, and it's easy to see why fuel consumption increases when the temperature drops.
Thankfully, some easy winter maintenance tips can help combat these negative consequences.
Winter maintenance Tip No. 1
Cooling System: Your car's cooling system is particularly important this time of year. In addition to containing a fluid that works to prevent your engine block from freezing and cracking, it also transfers heat into the vehicle cabin to keep occupants warm.
Your favourite mechanic can inspect the condition of your cooling system in an hour or so to ensure the fluid, pipes and hoses, pump, and all-important thermostat are all up to par.
Remember: A properly functioning cooling system allows your engine to reach its operating temperature and achieve optimal fuel mileage more quickly.
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert |
Winter Maintenance Tip No. 2
Tire Pressure: Checking and adjusting tire pressures is one of the easiest winter maintenance tasks required of your ride. An improperly inflated tire is not only a safety risk, but will cause the tire to wear down more quickly and cause your vehicle to drink more gas.
Check the pressure of your winter tires regularly to maintain good fuel mileage and the life of your tire. This is especially important when temperatures fluctuate wildly in transition months like December and March.
Winter Maintenance Tip No. 3
Air Filter: Don't forget your air filter during your winter maintenance check. Chances are, it's sucked up a lot of pollen, dust and dirt, as well as assorted insect life over the spring, summer and fall. A clogged air filter can cause your engine to use a whopping 50% more fuel than it needs to. Thankfully, most air filters can be changed for under $40 in a matter of minutes.
Winter Maintenance Tip No. 4
Fluids: Fluids all in top shape? If you don't remember when the last transmission fluid change, differential fluid change or coolant flush was performed on your vehicle then it's probably overdue.
Fluids should be kept topped up and fresh. If left too long they become old, ineffective and may even start to leak onto your driveway. A fresh oil change (possibly with synthetic oil), as well as new transmission and differential fluids all ensure internal components are lubricated optimally and protected from gas-sucking friction in the cooler months. Fresh fluids also reach their operating viscosity more quickly, helping further reduce fuel use.
Winter Maintenance Tip No. 5
Ignition System: Your engine's proper operation in the winter depends on a tiny and precise spark to ignite a precisely mixed blend of air and gasoline droplets. In the winter, especially at engine start-up, that ignition process is put to the test as the engine utilizes a richer and harder-to-burn fuel mixture. Installing a fresh set of spark plugs ensures your engine gets the best mileage possible, with added reliability in cold-start situations.
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