Every region and state in the US comes with its own challenges, especially for cars. Whether it’s road conditions, aggressive drivers or weather, there are all sorts of things that can impact your vehicle. As the northernmost state, living in Alaska has its own host of special challenges.
Some of the most common auto body claims in Alaska include everything from moose collisions to car accidents and stolen cars. These are all important factors to keep in mind as a driver in Alaska.
However, a large number of mechanical automotive problems can be chalked up to one common issue: not taking proper care of vehicles in sub-freezing weather conditions. So, here we’ve made a general (but not exhaustive) list of Alaska’s most common car problems stemming from cold weather.
Common Car Problems Caused by Cold Weather
Dead Batteries
Car batteries aren’t designed to withstand subfreezing temperatures. In fact, at 32°F, batteries lose about 25-35% of their charge; at 0°F that loss is 50-60%. Any temperature lower than 0, and the battery might not have enough juice to start your vehicle. Additionally, starting a car’s engine in cold weather can take up to twice as much energy as required in warmer conditions.
With the cold draining so much energy from your vehicle’s battery, it’s important to keep some maintenance tips in mind:
Have your battery inspected and tested, along with your engine’s starting and charging functions, as a part of your winter inspection
Invest in a battery blanket,engine heater or trickle charger
Park your vehicle in a garage
Check the charge and charge your battery as needed
Replace your battery as needed (ask your trusted mechanic about this interval)
Keep jumper cables and gloves in your trunk, just in case
Low Tire Pressure
Did you know that tire pressure drops 1-2 PSI for every 10° drop in temperature? The PSI can also decrease while your vehicle is stationary. This is important to keep in mind, especially when you don’t go out as often in the wintertime. Low PSI traction, handling, tire life and can lead to a flat tire.
To ensure you don’t get stranded in the cold with a flat, here are some maintenance tips to keep in mind:
Check your tire pressure if you see the warning light, and refill them if necessary
Invest in a portable air pump
Get your tires checked if you’re constantly seeing the warning light
Be sure to use winter tires during the winter months
Bad Windshield Wipers
Even without subfreezing temperatures that increase the degradation of windshield wipers, it’s important to replace wiper blades routinely (at least once a year). However, it’s especially important to change them in the winter, as the cold weather will cause the rubber to get brittle and crack. Additionally, driving in the ice and snow with bad or broken windshield wipers is a recipe for trouble.
Be sure you have the best visibility possible with these maintenance tips:
Replace blades at the beginning of winter, before there’s risk of cracking, chipping or peeling in the cold
Buy winter blades
Flip your wipers up when your vehicle isn’t in use – this keeps them from freezing to the glass
Clear off your windshield and test the wipers before driving
Bonus tip: set your car’s fan controls and heater to defrost overnight (yes, when the car is off) — this lowers chance of broken knobs and switches and ensures you have defrost as backup to your wipers
Failed Spark Plugs
Old spark plugs can fail because of corrosion all year round, but it’s significantly more likely in the cold. Engines overall need more attention when temperatures dip, and without the proper maintenance and attention to these smaller details, your vehicle might not be able to start.
Add these maintenance tips to your winter routine to make sure your spark plugs aren’t forgotten:
Test your spark plugs with a multimeter
Look for visible discolorations or markings
If, necessary, buy and install new spark plugs, or ask your trusted technician to check and change them out for you
Make sure you use factory original parts, otherwise your warranty might be voided and repair can become more expensive in the future
Don’t wait until the spark plugs no longer fire to have them looked at
Corroded Parts
Corroded parts can occur for all sorts of reasons in the winter. Road salt can cause corrosion and rust on the undercarriage of your car, or water getting into your steering, engine transmission and braking systems can freeze and cause cracks.
Proper routine maintenance and preventative care can help reduce a lot of the risk for corrosion, but here are some additional maintenance tips to keep in mind:
Wash your car regularly, especially after driving on freshly salted roads. Pay special attention to the brakes, wheel wells and undercarriage
Protect your car with synthetic wax – put it on yourself or request it from an auto detailer, or sometimes automatic car washes will spray it for you
Thick Fluid
Most vehicle fluids can be formulated to withstand the cold, but some might still become thick with the cold. This can cause all sorts of problems for your vehicle’s functionality.
Here are some tips to help keep your vehicle’s fluids from thickening in the cold:
Change your vehicle’s fluids before temperatures drop
Leave your car’s engine running for at least 10 minutes before driving
Always have a trained, trusted professional mechanic maintain your vehicle
Use a low-viscosity oil, like full-synthetic, which has a lower freezing point and doesn’t coagulate
Use wiper fluid that’s designed for your region. If the fluid freezes it could crack the tank or pump breaks
Use antifreeze. Without it, the fluids in your vehicle might freeze, preventing it from starting
Ice in Fuel Lines
While gasoline typically won’t freeze at temperatures above -40°F, the water that accumulates in the fuel lines, can. Specifically, the water trapped inside fuel lines will freeze and clog the lines, preventing your vehicle from getting sufficient, if any, gas.
So how do you keep this from happening? Keep your tank at least half full always; this helps prevent moisture buildup in fuel lines.
Worn Alternator and Serpentine Belts
A vehicle’s alternator charges the battery while your car is running. If it’s not working, it could appear as if you have a dead battery, but alternator issues are harder to diagnose than dead batteries. You can identify an alternator issue if 1) you jumpstart the car and it eventually dies while running, and/or 2) you hear loud squeaking from under your vehicle.
Broken alternators are not an at-home fix, so you need routine maintenance to prevent them from breaking, If you do have an issue:
Have your car towed to a shop
Bonus tip: serpentine belts, which help run the alternator, can freeze and become stiff in the cold, which causes them to snap; be sure to replace old, worn belts with new ones before this happens. A meticulous mechanic will track this for you.
Frozen Locks and Door Handles
The locks and door handles on the outside of your vehicle can freeze, preventing you from getting in. First and foremost, don’t force a key into a frozen lock or force it to turn when it’s stuck: this can damage both the key and the lock.
Some ways to help avoid being frozen out of your vehicle include:
Key fobs
De-icer (keep this in your garage, not in the car).
– Hand sanitizer can also work, but there’s an added risk of stripping paint or wax
– Do not use hot water, as it can lead to cracks.
Bonus tip: the rubber along your vehicle’s door jamb can become brittle, too, and when it tears, it can effectively freeze your door shut. To prevent this, try wiping down your rubber door gaskets with silicone spray.
Slow Infotainment Screens
If your car has touchscreens, you may notice them slowing or becoming unresponsive in the cold. LCD screens’ molecules slow down in the cold and need some warm-up time.
The solution?
Warm up the cabin.
Wait it out!
METRO: Your Alaskan Vehicle Specialists
Whether you’re coming in for routine maintenance or for an expert repair, METRO is here to help you with your car’s special maintenance needs. We understand how Alaskan conditions can affect your vehicle, its performance and regular maintenance intervals, and our experienced mechanics are trained to diagnose precisely what you need, when you need it, in every season.
Visit our website or call today to learn more about METRO or to schedule your next appointment.
