The Most Common Auto Issues Caused by Cold Weather

Image of woman using a smartphone to call for roadside assistance. A broken down car is shown with the hood up in the wintry background.

Midwesterners have a complicated relationship with fall. For some, the season offers a welcome reprieve from oppressive heat and an opportunity to enjoy all things pumpkin-flavored. For others, cooling autumn temperatures indicate the cold and dark winter lurking around the corner.

Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, it’s crucial to take the necessary measures to ensure your car is ready for sub-freezing days to avoid inconvenient and potentially-dangerous accidents. This article will cover the most common vehicle issues you need to look out for during the November – March stretch of the calendar.

1. Dead Battery

Here’s a story that may sound all too familiar to some individuals. You hop in the car on a frigid morning and hear the dreaded “click, click, click” instead of the engine firing when you try to start it up. You know right then and there that you’ve got a dead battery. You then text your boss to let them know you’ll be late and immediately start trying to find the least-inconvenient solution to your problem.

If you’ve never experienced this situation firsthand, consider yourself lucky. Because of how the chemical reaction works in your battery, cold weather significantly weakens its power. When it drops below 32 degrees, you can expect to lose about 30% of juice. Avoid this common winter problem by checking your battery before freezing temperatures arrive. Our team of expert and certified service technicians can evaluate your current battery and help you find a replacement if necessary.

2. Low Tires

Driving on under-inflated tires isn’t just a recipe for a rough ride; it can be dangerous and put you at risk of getting in an accident. When the temperature dips – especially overnight – tire pressure falls at a rate of roughly 1 PSI per 10 degrees.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid this problem altogether. The good news? If you monitor your car’s tire pressure daily (or once every couple of days), you won’t have to spend your morning at the nearest gas station’s inflation pump. Fill up your tires in the afternoon and plan for a 2-3 PSI drop overnight, and you won’t see the “low pressure” light all winter long. In addition, if your tires will need replaced in the near future, we highly recommend doing it prior to snowy and icy days. Worn out tires present a huge risk to drivers when driving conditions become slick.

3. Broken Alternator Belt

Car owners who have never looked under the hood might not know what role the alternator belt plays, but it’s critical to keeping your car running. This engine part charges your car’s battery while it’s running by transferring power from the engine crankshaft to other components.

When the belt breaks, your battery will die after starting the engine a few times. But what does this have to do with the cold?

As you might expect, colder temperatures stiffen the belt’s flexible rubber material. As a result, it becomes brittle and has a higher chance of snapping due to the constant friction while the vehicle is in motion. If you want to avoid the dead battery scenario explained in the first section of this article, visit one of our 43 convenient Dobbs Tire & Auto Center locations to have your current belt checked and replaced if needed. It’s an inexpensive repair and can save you from a major headache down the road.

4. Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are a small but crucial component of your engine. They initiate the combustion process that starts your engine, and if they go bad, you will have a hard time getting anywhere.

Of all the auto services available, spark plug replacement is one of the most cost-effective. New plugs typically cost under $20 each, and installation is quick and easy. If you’re not comfortable making this a DIY project (which we don’t recommend if you aren’t confident in what you’re doing), one of our expert and certified service technicians can get the job done right.

Here to Keep You Going all Winter Long

Stop into one of our 43 convenient Dobbs Tire & Auto Center locations if you’re ready to prepare your vehicle for colder weather. We’ll help you get everything you need for safe fall and winter driving.

Our expert and certified service technicians are happy to assist you in finding the best parts and tires at the best prices. We mean it, too – we will beat any legitimate price from a local store or dealer stocking the same new tire. Check our list of locations and visit us in person, or contact us online through our site.