Back to all

How to Prevent Vehicle Damage from Cold Weather

April 4, 2017

 
Heads up:  AVOID Cold-Temp Vehicle Damage! 

Cold temperatures cause the fluids in your vehicle to thicken, which reduces their ability to lubricate. If you've ever seen that Thanksgiving gravy turn into "glop" when you put it the refrigerator, then you get the basic idea.  When it's warm, gravy flows; when it's cold... no go!
 
 
Here are a few tips to avoid cold weather issues with your car:

1. Drive slowly for the first few minutes, so your vehicle has a chance to reach normal operating temps and fluids start flowing & lubricating as they should.

2. We know what you're thinking, but NO!  DO NOT let your car idle for long periods of time.  We like a toasty passenger compartment, too, but idling runs your engine rich which could damage your catalytic converter (a potentially expensive repair in its own right).  It also wastes expensive fuel & gets you nowhere.

3.  But even more - Idling can also damage the internal components of your engine.  Some transmissions won't circulate the Automatic Transmission Fluid until you place the shifter into "Drive."  That means the internal transmission components are spinning & spinning without any lubrication!  Not good. Not. Good. {Really not good, got it? NO IDLING!}
 


Genesis Lee Myles Transmissions & Auto Care
914 Fern Ave Reading PA 19607
Just off Lancaster Ave near Dunkin' Donuts

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Tire Warehouse Depot

A Most Important Part (Serpentine Belt Replacement)

March 8, 2026

Your vehicles engine is an engineering work of wonder with many complex parts working in harmony to get you down the road. One of those simple but important components is called a serpentine belt. It is driven by a pulley on the engine and transfers that power to many of your engines most importa... More

Stop! And See Us (Brake Pad Replacement)

March 1, 2026

If youve ever driven a bicycle with hand brakes, youll probably understand how the brake pads on your vehicle work. Bicycle brakes use a system that squeezes the bike wheels rim with a pair of cushioned pads activated by your hand squeezing the hand brakes on your handlebars. The friction of tho... More

Steer Clear (Power Steering Pump Replacement)

February 22, 2026

When it comes to ease and precision of steering, todays vehicles are engineering marvels. One of the keys to just how good steering is lies in the refinement of power-assisted steering which we know simply as power steering. At the heart of the system is an electrically or belt-driven power ste... More