Along with turning our clocks back to prepare for the upcoming winter, it’s officially time to also replace your vehicle’s fluids. You may be asking yourself a common question: “why do I need to replace fluids before winter?”. You’re not alone in wondering this. Today, Doug Yates Towing & Recovery will share important reasons why it is crucial to replace your fluids. We often worry about the winter coming because of the potential threat of ice or snow on the road, but we put off our vehicle’s fluids. No more ignoring the fluids in your car. They may react to colder temperatures in damaging ways, leading to you needing a towing service.
Engine Oil
While it is known that water freezes when it reaches a low temperature like 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it gets a bit more complicated when thinking of your engine oil freezing. Engine oils have different chemical compositions and blend ratios, so they do not all have the same freezing points.
To further explain the dangers of your car’s oil freezing, it’s important to know it does not have to be freezing outside for it to become more vulnerable. As you crank up your vehicle in those early cold mornings, the oil pump begins to force oil under pressure through the filter and other areas of the engine. When the temperature drops, your engine’s motor oil starts to thicken. Because the oil is a lot thicker, it flows slower than normal and makes the engine work harder to pump through the engine block. This puts additional strain on your vehicle’s battery so it must work harder to generate power that makes the engine turn.
Another issue if your oil is too thick, there will be a significant negative effect that takes place on fuel efficiency. Its thickness makes it difficult for your engine to reach an ideal temperature. As well as the fuel efficiency issue, it can also cause problems to the engine directly. Our towing service has experience with these issues and can provide help at any time of the day. Make sure you reach out to the best towing company around Chattanooga, Doug Yates Towing & Recovery, to get the quality help you deserve.
Since the process is moving at a slower rate due to the low temperature, it can cause more friction between the moving parts of the engine and transmission. A result could be losing control of your vehicle while driving or leaving you stranded due to mechanical failure. What do you do then? After finding yourself in an unfortunate situation like described, your first step should be to find a towing service near you. With a few quick clicks and one Google search of “towing company near me,” this can be achieved. Our towing company, Doug Yates, will quickly assess your issue and get you the safe and secure help you need. We are a 24/7 service to the metro Chattanooga, Tennessee area and surrounding counties.
three fluids that are important to replace before winter
- Antifreeze
Be sure to check out your antifreeze. The reason for this is that antifreeze does exactly as the name suggests. It prevents the coolant mixture in your vehicle from freezing. Without this, it could cause one of your car’s liquids to freeze and potentially cause damage to your car. It works by simply lowering the freezing point of the water to help your engine run without problems.
- Brake Fluid
Nothing says welcome to the wintertime like an ice storm. When heavy rain turns into freezing ice, be sure to prepare as best you can with new and clean brake fluid. Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid that aids your vehicle to come to a complete stop. Without brake fluid, you increase the risk of your vehicle completely failing. This is obviously an issue at any time of year, but especially in the winter.
In fact, it’s recommended not only to get your brake fluid checked but your brake pads and rotors as well. Each part has an important function. Everything has to work together for you to safely come to a stop, especially in a colder climate. In the case of an automobile accident occurring due to not stopping in time, our towing service can come to the rescue. All of our experienced technicians are professionally trained to ensure complete satisfaction throughout the entire towing service or recovery process.
- Washer Fluid
As you are taking a road trip in the upcoming months, be sure to keep an eye on your washer fluid. We all know how dirty your windshield can get during long drives. That can be solved with the right washer fluid formula. Some formulas are better for melting snow and ice, while others tackle bugs and dirt. Some washer fluids are actually made for the winter so that they won’t freeze. Having a clean windshield is important to see where you are driving properly.
Whether you are looking forward to the cold weather or not, be sure to change your fluids. Help prevent your car from suffering through low temperatures. We are truly a one-stop shop when it comes to all of your towing, hauling and repair needs. If you have any questions, concerns, or needs, be sure to call our towing company today!
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