Battery trouble? Keep your vehicle starting in Colorado winter conditions with these tips.
Posted by Aamco Colorado in 
As the temperature drops, many of you may have fallen victim to that common cold-weather vehicle malady—the car that won’t start.
When it’s time to get to work or go home after a long day, an engine that won’t turn over is the last thing you want—and there are things you can do to prevent your car battery from letting you down when you need it most. Read on for information from AAMCO on how you can help your car battery in cold weather and keep your car starting even when the temperatures dive.
(On an encouraging note: though more cars won’t start on cold winter mornings, summer is the more dangerous season for your car’s battery. More batteries fail when rising temperatures sap your electrolyte and boil your battery dry.)
When temperatures dip below freezing and stay there for longer and longer periods, it takes a toll on your battery. When the oil inside your car engine has frozen into a soupy sludge, your battery has to work harder to turn the engine over. This requires a higher current from the battery—and since cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions required to produce electricity, in cold weather batteries can’t produce their normal amount of energy. This is a frustrating reality that often means an overloaded battery will leave you out in the cold just when you need it most.
It’s important to act quickly when you suspect your battery is under the weather. Have a skilled battery technician inspect the battery connections, the hardware, the condition of the case, the battery load, and the electrolyte level (if applicable). The technician should also check the alternator belts, brackets, and connections, and then test the voltage and current.
The starter also needs to be examined for proper connections and mounting, and should then be tested to see how much electrical power is required to turn over the engine when the engine is cranked. These tests help the technician determine where the problem is and what the best and least expensive solution will be.
Your battery could be suffering from other failed connections as well. The starter motor demands a large amount of electrical current—between 200 and 400 amps—and if your battery clamps aren’t connected to the posts properly, the clamps can heat up. This poor connection will eventually prevent the battery from becoming fully charged, which means the battery could freeze internally in cold weather.
If you’ve noticed that your battery is running down, your vehicle is starting more slowly, or that the weather is affecting how your battery is performing in any way, stop in at one of our AAMCO locations and one of our Colorado auto battery experts will check it out. We will perform all the above inspections and provide you with the best possible plan of action. For more information on Colorado battery technicians, or to find a Colorado auto repair location or AAMCO transmission expert near you, visit www.aamcocolorado.com.
Colorado winter driving conditions: snow tires vs. snow chains
As winter sets in, the age-old debate is kicking back up: Which is better for navigating Colorado winter roads, snow tires or snow chains?
For those of you new to the discussion, some definitions are in order. Snow tires are a special set of tires outfitted with holes where snow studs can be fitted. These studs allow the tires to gain better traction when driving over snow or ice.Snow chains, or tire chains, are usually sold in pairs and come in different sizes based on tire diameter and tread width. They fit all the way around the tire, giving wheels an extra grip on slippery roads.
Both options give motorists a much-needed edge when venturing out in Colorado winter driving conditions. But issues like road wear, expense, and safety concerns divide many on which backup is best.
One major concern is which option creates the least damage to roads. Both snow studs and chains take their toll on pavement, gradually wearing down the roadway as hundreds of thousands of motorists commute during the winter months. The consensus is that studded snow tires cause the most damage, and must be swapped out with summer tires when the weather warms up. Chains must also be removed when there isn’t sufficient snow or ice on the pavement.
Both snow tires and snow chains take a bite out of your wallet, but the price of snow chains remains significantly lower than the cost of snow tires. Though once you’ve had your tires put on, the upkeep is minimal- a small fee is charged by a tire technician for stud attachment and removal- the initial cost for a set of four tires ranges from $500 to $700. On the other hand, the cost of a pair of snow chains is in the neighborhood of $50 to $100, and you install them yourself—but be aware that driving with chains reduces your fuel efficiency.
As far as safety is concerned, both options improve your traction on icy or snowy roads. Snow tires with studs significantly increase your stopping power on ice, and improve your grip while climbing or descending slippery Colorado winter roads. A set of snow tires gives you roughly the same stopping time and traction as a set of snow chains on the drive wheels of your vehicle. However, if you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, chains should be installed on all four wheels of your vehicle—and this gives you the safest ride of all, with excellent traction and stopping time.
While snow tires remain an option worth considering, snow chains are likely your best bet for keeping you and your passengers safe on Colorado winter roads. Make sure you’ve purchased a pair and know how to put them on before you drive into a blizzard, not after. For more information on winter driving with snow chains or snow tires, or to contact a Colorado tire technician or transmission repair mechanic, go to www.aamcocolorado.com.
Protect your vehicle from Colorado winter conditions with these tips
The winter season takes a heavy toll on cars. Salt-strewn roads, sludge buildup in undercarriages and tire treads, and frozen fluids can all spell disaster for your ride if you don’t know the basics of Colorado winter car maintenance. Review these pointers to protect your car from Colorado winter conditions and make sure this holiday season is as enjoyable for your vehicle as it is for you.
When Colorado roads get icy, salt and sand are scattered to improve traction and speed up road thaw. While they help keep the road clear and safe, they also create a corrosive mixture that lodges in the undercarriage of your car, accelerating rust damage and degradation.
The best way to combat this is to wash your car more frequently during the winter months, and always wash underneath your car. Go to an automatic car wash if you can’t brave the elements, but if you prefer to wash your vehicle yourself, adding three tablespoons of baking soda to your undercarriage wash water will neutralize the salt and prevent it from causing further harm.
Today’s aerodynamic cars shed water quickly through a network of hidden channels and drains. Along with water, these conduits can collect dead bugs, leaves, silt, and sand- blockages that cause water to collect inside your vehicle, inviting mildew, paint deterioration, and rusting. If this water freezes, it can distort panels or even break hidden parts. Prevent this by checking these channels regularly and keeping them clear of debris. If you’re not sure where to look, swing by a Colorado AAMCO location and let one of our Colorado auto mechanics check them for you.
On the topic of freezing damage, make sure your anti-freeze mixture and engine cooling system are clean and topped off, and rinse your radiator occasionally to keep it free of road salt. Find a nearby AAMCO cooling system maintenance location to keep your car running well no matter what the temperature.
If you only do one thing this winter to protect your car, wax it regularly. Waxing periodically all winter gives you an opportunity to inspect your car’s surface for damage and provides a vital barrier to road sand and salt. Add this easy step to your to-do list and protect your car’s finish from Colorado winter wear.
Motorists depend on their wheels to get them safely over ice and snow- but winter wheel care often gets overlooked. The same sand and salt that protects you from skidding off the road also grinds into a dangerous paste that eats away at your tires and compromises their safety. Stave off this damage by washing your wheels with a non-acidic, non-caustic wheel cleaner, and unless your wheels are chrome, follow it up with a wax. Check in with a Colorado tire technician to catch wear and tear early in the game, and your wheels will thank you by giving you a safe ride this winter and for years to come.
As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Try not to drive in snowy or icy conditions if you can avoid it, and keep your car in a garage whenever possible. Car covers are a great way to prevent unnecessary damage from ice and soot. Take these preventative measures and follow a regular vehicle maintenance schedule to keep your car protected from Colorado winter conditions. For more information on protecting your vehicle, or to find a Colorado AAMCO location near you, visit aamcocolorado.com.
