In Australia, people are having extremely hot weather that is setting new world records and US citizens are experiencing extreme cold weather. The temperature has plummeted so low that the Hudson River froze over. Last time when this happened was back in 1867. For people who need to drive their cars and go for work early in the morning because of work or kids, these very low temperatures are a nightmare.
As a result of the low temperature, cars may get a frosted engine block. Combustion engines can generate a large amount of heat. This heat can damage the delicate components in the car and can even cause fires or blasts. A coolant is used to absorb the heat and block the pressure build-up. But using water as coolant also becomes a big problem in low temperatures.
When water freezes, it increase in volume and can be bad for engine blocks. It can also give dents or even damage the component. For this purpose, always use an anti-freeze. It’s a chemical that won’t let the coolant freeze in radiator. But anti-freeze is only good until the temperature doesn’t go down -35F. After this point, you cannot save your car from the winter.
Don’t Leave Your Car Idle
People believe that turning on the car and allowing the car to warm up on its own is a good solution to the problem. And if the coolant is freezing it will melt on its own. Actually no. The old carbureted engines work this way but if your car doesn’t have a carburetor then it is not a great idea to keep it idle or the car might stall out. The advanced engines with electric injectors actually inject more gas in the fuel mix to defeat the low temperature. This mix can act as a solution and can strip oil from the engine. As a consequence, it can cause difficulties for the piston and can cause a lot of friction during the injection method.
Therefore, not to idle your engine. If you start your car and engine it not heating well, it is best that you start driving right away. This will warm up the engine fast and as much as it needs to heat up. However, be slow at first and give limited throttle because there are possibilities that the cold will hit other parts of the engine.
Check The Car Conditions Regularly
The temperature which can freeze the anti-freeze coolant with them is very dangerous. If you are trying quick maintenance of your car, make sure you are well equipped. This kind of weather is also not very pleasant to drive on since there are icy roads, cold fog, and snow. When you will eventually be running your car on the icy road, you should be sure that the tires have sufficient grip.
The temperature gauge on your dashboard will keep you notified about the heat changes. If your engine starts to get overheat, turn off the car. The frozen coolant in the motor can cause an outburst.
Try to Remove The Engine Block Tactfully
If it is necessary for you to leave the house in a harsh environment, there are few things that can get your car running safely. If you have a garage, the most reliable way to melt ice would be to use a heater or a hot blower to get rid of the ice faster. Be careful while you do this since while melting the water that runs off due to melting can be exposed.
After the coolant has melted, drain it and load it with a 1:1 mixture of water and anti-freeze. Since you need something to keep the coolant from freezing. The cold air is not adequate to keep the engine from overheating and can generate tons of problems.
Make sure you change the radiator liquid before the temperature falls at a particular level.
Electric Vehicle Maintenance
Electric batteries are also less effective in cold weather. The new technology made electric vehicles work better at dealing with extreme temperatures. The most important advantage an electric vehicle has over an average car is that the electric battery can be warmed up using internal heating pads. This is not a suggested solution for ICEs.
Your electric car might still encounter some problems while being driven in a cold climate just as an internal combustion engine vehicle would. Since it doesn’t need a radiator to cool down the engine, you won’t be wanting to thaw the engine. Your electric vehicle should run with efficiency even in cold temps just like it runs in the regular conditions.
Since your vehicle is a important way of transport for your daily commute and safety, it is very crucial to keep its maintenance up to date and also take care with small things that can save you from huge losses and unpredictable probelms.
