LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Many drivers have dealt with the situation before: running late, turning the key, and the car won’t start.
Mechanics say cold weather is often the final straw for vehicles that already have small hidden problems.
“You want to get it warmed up because a cold engine can actually cause more damage then giving it a few minutes to warm up,” Jack Maloney with Scott’s Complete Car Care said.
One of the biggest culprits is the battery. Cold temperatures drain the power, which means a weak battery now could be a dead one by the end of the week.
“Basically if it’s slow to start right now then it gets real cold it wont start…at all,” Maloney said.
Tire pressure is another issue that drops as temperatures fall. Even if the warning light doesn’t come on, mechanics say a quick walk around the car can prevent bigger problems.
“If you got one tire that doesn’t look like the rest and has quite a bit on the side that’s showing that’s good sign that the tire is low,” Maloney said.
Mechanics recommend checking coolant levels and keeping emergency items in the car, like a blanket and ice scraper, in case drivers get stranded in freezing temperatures.
“Especially your about you know low coolant that can leave you stranded for sure. Then with a low tire be at risk of blowing out a tire,” Maloney said.
Taking a few minutes to check the car now could save hours on the side of the road later.
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