Feb

7

How to Prepare Your Engine for Cold Weather

February 7, 2010 | Leave a Comment


Author: Sierra Ramirez

Article:
Driving in winter conditions can be a dangerous and scary
experience. With icy and snow packed roads, limited visibility,
strong winds, and freezing temperatures, driving in colder
climates can not only be daunting, it can be dangerous. Before
you drive in these conditions, whether you live in a regularly
cold climate or a visiting a frosty region, it is crucial to
have your vehicle prepared. Many times people underestimate the
adverse effects winter conditions can have on an engine, but not
attending to your vehicle’s engine in cold weather can have
dangerous results.

Although every engine varies in type, wear, and age, there are a
few general tips to keep in mind when servicing your vehicle for
winter weather conditions. For instance, some engines have
plastic intake manifolds or other plastic components. These
non-metal parts can freeze and break, creating vacuum leaks and
further damage to an engine. A similar problem caused by cold
weather involves the fuel injectors which may stick in lower
temperatures.

Airflow sensors are very sensitive to colder climates as well.
While an airflow sensor can become dirty and cause problems in
any weather, cold regions can make this problem worse. Because
airflow sensors communicate with a vehicle’s powertrain control
module, it is essential to the engine that the sensor is as
clean as possible otherwise the air-fuel mixture that enters the
engine will be incorrect.

Intake leaks are also common in winter weather conditions.
These leaks need immediate attention, however they are easily
identifiable. If there is steam coming from the engine while the
car is idling, it might be an intake valve leak. Similarly,
puddles of water beneath the engine after the car has been
parked are an indication of an intake valve leak. Luckily,
intake valve malfunction can be easily tested for with an intake
smoke test.

There are several other issues that are common for engines that
run in cold weather; if you are concerned about your vehicle’s
cold weather drivability you should speak to your local
mechanic.

When driving in winter weather conditions it is easy to forget
about the stress such a climate can add to your engine. Many
drivers are concerned about road conditions, appropriate tires,
and unpredictable weather; however it is important to save some
concern for the effect such frigid temperatures can have on a
vehicle’s engine. Before you drive your vehicle in cold weather,
be sure your engine is prepared so you can spend more time
worrying about the road, and less time worrying about the
condition of your engine.

About the author:
Environmental Testing Corporation Laboratory, or ETC Lab, is
a leader in the automotive testing industry, specializing in
high altitude vehicle testing, evaporative emissions testing,
chassis dynamometer testing, and other engine and vehicle
testing services. Visit ETC Lab at http://www.etclab.com for
more information on vehicle testing services.




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