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.
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