How to Prevent Vehicle Damage from Cold Weather
April 25, 2017
Cold temperatures cause the fluids in your vehicle to thicken, which reduces their ability to lubricate. If you've ever seen that Thanksgiving gravy turn into "glop" when you put it the refrigerator, then you get the basic idea. When it's warm, gravy flows; when it's cold... no go!
1. Drive slowly for the first few minutes, so your vehicle has a chance to reach normal operating temps and fluids start flowing & lubricating as they should.
2. We know what you're thinking, but NO! DO NOT let your car idle for long periods of time. We like a toasty passenger compartment, too, but idling runs your engine rich which could damage your catalytic converter (a potentially expensive repair in its own right). It also wastes expensive fuel & gets you nowhere.
3. But even more - Idling can also damage the internal components of your engine. Some transmissions won't circulate the Automatic Transmission Fluid until you place the shifter into "Drive." That means the internal transmission components are spinning & spinning without any lubrication! Not good. Not. Good. {Really not good, got it? NO IDLING!}
Genesis Lee Myles Transmissions & Auto Care
Need Service?
More articles from Elite Tire & Auto Care

The Car Fluid Most Drivers Forget—And Why It Matters
September 20, 2026
Heres an automotive part you might not be familiar withthe differential. Its a component that transfers power from the driveshaft to the wheels. Its called a differential because the left and right drive wheels travel at different speeds when you make a turn. During that turn, the wheel on the ... More

Step Up your Stops
September 13, 2026
Lets face it. Many of us take our vehicles brakes for granted. We step on the pedal, the brakes slow us down and stop us. Theyre also vital to helping us control our vehicles. Thats why its important to think about brakes as one of the most important safety systems we have. Malfunctioning b... More

Keep It Rolling Right
September 6, 2026
Keeping your tires rotated regularly is one of the simplest yet most important maintenance services you can perform on your vehicle. It is where each tire is moved to a different position: front to back, side to side. That rotation helps to ensure your tires wear evenly, which directly impacts sa... More
