by Auto Blish | Feb 6, 2023 | Performance |
Winter is long and cold, and completing simple tasks can be far more challenging. Even our cars can behave differently during these colder months, so it’s important to cool down your vehicle by putting on winter tires, getting the right brand of windshield washer fluid, and even getting new brakes. Most drivers are aware of these steps, but many forget to consider their oil and are unaware that cold weather can affect its viscosity.
The reality is that in winter you may have to change your oil more often, so you have to pay attention to this aspect as you may have to change the type of oil. This will depend on the type of oil you use throughout the year, as this information may prompt you to switch to a more viscous oil between the months of November and March. However, you have to be careful as switching to oil that is too thin can be problematic, as it may not provide enough lubrication to your engine. It is important to consult your owner’s manual, as it will tell you how to proceed depending on the make and model of your car.
People who have automatic reminders on their dash may notice that reminders come more frequently during the winter months to change the oil, but you need not worry as this does not necessarily mean that your vehicle broke down, and it is highly likely that your sensors are working fine. , it could just be that your sensor is picking up on the consistency of the oil, which is preventing it from moving freely within the moving parts of your engine.
Condensation and your car not paying enough time at the proper running temperature are the two main reasons that winter affects your engine oil. If you’re wondering how often you should change your oil in the winter, the answer will depend on how often your vehicle needs an oil change during the warmer months. Whether you use conventional or synthetic oil will also affect this answer, but generally, every 5,000 – 7,000 km is considered normal, so you may want to consider changing your oil at this frequency. It is a relatively low-cost way of maintaining your vehicle and ensuring that it remains in optimum running condition.
What is your all-weather oil?
Whether or not you need to change oil types depends largely on what type of oil you use throughout the year. For example, if you use 20W-50 oil all year round, you might consider switching to the more viscous 5W-30 between November and March. Be careful – changing to something too thin may not provide sufficient lubricant to your engine.
What is your vehicle telling you?
Do you have automatic reminders on your dash? You may notice that your reminder to change the oil comes more frequently in the winter months. Don’t worry, your vehicle isn’t damaged – and chances are the sensors are working fine. Your sensor is catching the thickness of the oil and prevents it from moving freely to the moving parts of the engine.
Why does cold weather affect my vehicle?
The two main reasons cold affects your engine oil are condensation and your car not spending enough time at proper running temperature. So even though it is condemned from an environmental point of view – it may not be such a bad idea for the life of your vehicle.
So, how frequently should you change your oil in the winter?
This depends largely on how often your vehicle needs an oil change during the summer months, and whether you use conventional or synthetic oil. However, every 5,000 – 7,000 kilometers won’t be much – and it’s a fairly low-cost way to keep your vehicle in optimal running condition.
by Auto Blish | Feb 6, 2023 | Car Maintenance |
The winter tires you put on your car are essential, even if you don’t live in very snowy weather. Here are the things you should know about winter tires and how they can keep you safe in winter weather.
Winter tires are safer than all-season tires
Despite what you may have heard, all-season tires are not safe all the time. Instead, they should be called mild-season tires. The rubber used in all-season tires will be fine until the temperature starts to drop.
Once your thermometer reaches 7°C, it may be time to change your tires. This happens when all-season tires start to harden and hard tires lose traction, which is worse on winter roads. Winter tires are made from a special type of rubber that performs best in cold weather.
You May Need Winter Tires Even When There’s No Snow
While the tread found on winter tires is good for use on snow, ice, and slush, it is a good idea to get winter tires even if you are not driving in these conditions. Again, this is because unlike the rubber found in other types of tires, the rubber used to make winter tires remains soft and flexible even when the weather is cold. If your car doesn’t have winter tires, its cold-weather performance will be compromised, even if you’re driving on dry roads.
The tread design on winter tires decreases slipping and sliding
Winter tires use a single-directional tread pattern, which helps them perform well in wet road conditions. These are deep, one-sided grooves that prevent hydroplaning by pumping water through the tread. The moisture is forced out and away from the tire so that your wheel can make contact with dry land.
You should check your winter tire pressure regularly
Tire pressure can drop dramatically when it’s cold outside. As the temperature drops, the air pressure decreases. Low tire pressure can reduce traction, handling, and durability, all of which are important when driving in winter. Check your tire pressure often when it’s cold, and make sure it’s meeting the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. Checking tire pressure is so easy, you might even want to get it done before you head out for your morning coffee run.
No need to spend an arm and a leg on winter tires
Staying safe on the road is invaluable, however, your tires don’t need to do the same. There are many winter tire options out there that are fairly affordable yet give you all of the great features that come with putting winter tires on your car.
Winter tires are something that is very essential yet very misunderstood. Of all the misconceptions about winter tires, this one is going to cost you an arm and a leg. Winter tires don’t need to be expensive, and they don’t need to take a lot of time to install.
by Auto Blish | Feb 3, 2023 | Safety Tips |
Your break may not be something that often crosses your mind; However, your vehicle’s brakes are probably one of the most important parts that should be in perfect working condition at all times.
Here are some warning signs that you require a new brake.
Look and Listen
There are two ways you can check brake wear on your disc brakes: by sight and by hearing. First, inspect for wear by visually looking at your brake pads through the spaces between the spokes of the wheel. The outer pad will be pressed against the metal rotor. In general, you should have at least ¼ inch of the pad on your brakes. If you see less than this, you may need to inspect or replace your brake pads.
Have you ever heard a screeching sound while applying brakes? This is caused by a small metal shim known as an indicator, which gives you an audible warning that you require to replace your brakes. This screeching sound is loud enough to hear, and you should know that if you hear it regularly, you should make an appointment with your mechanic quickly.
Decreased response or fading
If your brakes are not as responsive as before or the pedal starts to drop to the floor, it could mean that you have a leak in your braking system. It can be either an air leak or a brake fluid leak. A clear sign of a brake fluid leak is that it leaves a small puddle of fluid when your vehicle is parked. Brake fluid resembles fresh motor oil, but has a less slimy texture.
Drag
If your vehicle starts to pull to one side when applying the brakes, it could mean that your brake linings are worn unevenly or that there is some foreign substance in your brake fluid. Your vehicle may require either a brake adjustment or a complete drain and replacement of the fluid.
Grinding
Hearing metallic screeching means you’ve worn out your brake pads; Most likely, things are now beyond a simple replacement. The grinding or growling sound you hear is caused by the two pieces of metal (the disc and the caliper) rubbing against each other. This can then scratch your rotors, which creates an uneven surface. If this happens don’t be surprised if your rotors need to be turned or replaced.
Vibrations
Vibrating or throbbing brake pedals are usually symptoms of warped rotors. The vibration may feel similar to the reaction in the brake pedal when you suddenly stop a vehicle with anti-lock brakes.
Warped rotors are caused by severe braking over a long period of time, such as while driving or pulling down a steep hill. These conditions create an excessive amount of friction, which heats up the rotors and warps them. Vibration is felt because the brake pads do not grip the surface evenly. If you continue to drive like this, be sure to stop from time to time to let your brakes cool down.
by Auto Blish | Feb 3, 2023 | Car Care |
Being a car owner reaches with a lot of responsibilities. You need to take care of and maintain your car regularly to get the most out of it. If proper care is not taken, it can not only damage your vehicle but can also lead to an accident. Aligning your car’s wheels regularly is one of the main things that you should take care of while maintaining your car.
Wheel alignment refers to checking and adjusting the angles of each of the wheels in relation to each other and the car. Incorrect wheel alignment of your car can result in reduced tire life. Correct wheel alignment is essential for good handling of the car and plays a very important role in increasing the life of the tire. Signs of incorrect wheel alignment include:
- Vibrations
- Car drift
- A car drags to one side while driving at highway speeds
- The vehicle is unstable and keeps rocking from side to side
- Tires wear unevenly
- A bad steering system is a big sign of incorrect wheel alignment. If your wheels are properly aligned, The steering wheel should generally return to the center position after turning.
- As a car owner, it is important to know how often wheel alignment needs to be done.
Some examples of when you need to get a wheel alignment done for your car:
- Typically, there is no time frame within which the alignment is required. However, when you take your car out for regular servicing, the mechanic will assess the wheels and accordingly decide whether the wheels need to be aligned or not. However, it is advisable that you get a wheel alignment done every 2 to 3 years. If you get new tires fitted, you can also get a wheel alignment done during that time.
- If your car has gone through very bad roads or has been involved in an accident, then it is the right time to get a wheel alignment done.
- Depending on the region you drive your car in, you may need a wheel alignment more than once a year. This can happen more often if you are driving on rough roads.
- Your steering wheel should return to its normal position (center) after turning the wheel. However, if you notice that this is not happening, it could be due to the misalignment of your wheels. This is the time when you need a wheel alignment for your car.
- If you notice that your car is pulling to one side while you drive, it may be time to have a wheel alignment done. It is the best idea to take your car to a reputed service center to get this done, as skilled and experienced mechanics will be able to tell you whether your wheels need to be aligned or not.
What could be causing your wheels to be out of alignment?
- If you do a lot of off-road trips
- If your car hits a pothole
- If your car meets with an accident
- Normal wear and tear, where you need to go for a regular wheel alignment every 2 to 3 years
- Bump into a concrete parking stall
Benefits of getting your car wheels aligned:
- Your vehicle will stay stable on the road and handle better
- you extend the life of your tires
- Suspension and steering components will last longer
- You can maximize the fuel efficiency of your cars; Cars whose wheels are out of alignment typically have a 7% reduction in fuel efficiency!
- Your car is more secure; If you are driving in wet conditions, it is important that your car can stop safely. The tread on your tires has a direct impact on the stopping distance of your car. If you want to extend the tread life of your tires, you need to align your wheels regularly
It is important as a car owner to be able to identify the signs that your wheels are in misalignment. Generally, it is recommended to align the wheels every 2 to 3 years. However, to ensure optimum safety for your car, yourself, and others around you, it is best to opt for a wheel alignment every time you go to change the vehicle’s oil.
It is also important to visit a reputed service center to get your car’s wheel alignment done. Skilled and experienced car technicians will be able to get your wheels aligned as needed. You should avoid doing this on your own as it may cause further damage to your vehicle. Locate the best service center near you and take your car for regular servicing and wheel alignment to ensure optimum maintenance and usage of your car.
by Auto Blish | Feb 3, 2023 | Safety Tips |
Tire problems can occur very often as the tires bear the weight of your vehicle and are in constant contact with the road surfaces. Tire problems not only reduce the performance and efficiency of your car but also compromise your safety. Therefore, you should inspect your tires regularly to identify and fix any problems before they lead to costly repairs and replacements. Learn about common tire problems and solutions.
Improperly inflated tires
Among the most basic vehicle maintenance tasks is maintaining proper tire pressure based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. However, drivers can over- or underinflate their tires, which affects their vehicle’s performance, safety, and tire life.
Excessive air quickly wears down the middle tread, reducing traction and increasing the chance of detonation. On the other hand, underinflated tires cause premature tire shoulder wear. You can correct incorrect tire pressure by inflating or deflating your tires as needed.
Old tires
Over time, your tires naturally wear out and need to be replaced. The tread on the tires wears down and becomes unable to grip the road surface, thus compromising braking and maneuverability. So, make sure you check the tread depth of your tires. Know that the wear level is the minimum legal, so you don’t have to wait until then to replace your tires.
Hole
Punctures are both annoying and problematic and can result in wheel damage and poor vehicle handling and control. If your vehicle pulls to one side while driving or you notice a significant difference in its handling, you may have a puncture. Road debris such as nails, screws, and broken glass are notorious for causing punctures and can reduce tire pressure.
The great thing about punctures is that most of them can be repaired as long as they haven’t damaged the sidewall. A tire specialist or mechanic can help with this. However, bigger punctures usually call for a tire replacement.
Misalignment
One of the main symptoms of misaligned tires is camber wear, which causes more wear on one side of your tire. Although this type of wear is difficult to see, you can tell if the rubber is uneven or heavily worn by feeling the tire. Other symptoms of flat tires include a warped steering wheel and your vehicle leaning to one side.
Misaligned tires reduce your tires’ traction, increase premature wear, and create safety concerns. Thus, consider having a tire specialist retread your tires to restore traction and promote optimum performance.
Unevenly worn tires
Common causes of unevenly worn tires include incorrect tire inflation, misalignment, suspension problems, and unbalanced wheels. Uneven wear occurs in different patterns depending on the cause of the problem.
For example, improper wheel alignment leads to excessive inner or outerwear, while under-inflation leads to edge wear. Worn suspension cupping can cause wear. To solve this problem, consult a professional tire specialist to determine the cause and fix it.
Bulges and cracks
Tire bulges primarily result from impact damage, while cracks spring from UV rays, degradation, and age. If you drive too fast over potholes and bumps, your tires are likely to blow out. As your tires get older, they lose their elasticity and become hard and brittle, resulting in cracks.
Incorrect tire pressure increases your chances of getting a flat tire or a blowout. Fixing bumps and cracks depends on their severity, and a professional mechanic can recommend them accordingly. In severe cases, a tire replacement is required.
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