Harmful habits when using your car in winter
Stop this habit immediately if you don’t want your car to break down quickly.
The winter temperatures in the northern regions often drop sharply, sometimes falling below 10°C, causing a series of unexpected issues for cars. At the same time, many people have the habit of using their vehicles improperly, which increases the likelihood of breakdowns.
Here are some bad habits that damage cars in winter and should be adjusted:
Starting the engine multiple times to warm it up
This is one of the poor habits of car owners when the temperature drops in winter. Many car owners believe that continuously starting the car will activate the operating system and warm up the engine. However, in reality, this action causes the spark plugs to wear out quickly and reduces the engine's lifespan.
Modern cars are designed to adapt to weather conditions and are equipped with many necessary features to operate well even in harsh weather conditions. Therefore, users should not repeatedly start the engine to warm it up. If the temperature is too low, a spare battery can be prepared to help start the engine.
Neglecting idle running
When the temperature drops, and the car has been inactive overnight, the engine oil can settle or become thicker than usual. Therefore, it’s important to start the car and let it idle for about 1 minute so that the fluid returns to its normal state and is pumped evenly to the engine parts.
Many drivers have the habit of driving the car immediately after starting it. This habit harms the engine because some parts have not been lubricated yet. Driving the car increases the engine RPM, friction, and faster wear of components.
Cracking the window while driving
Low temperatures make many drivers avoid using air conditioning, opting instead to crack the windows for fresh air to save fuel. However, in winter, the air is dry and contains fine dust. Cracking the windows allows dust and dirt to easily enter the interior, dirtying the cabin.
Additionally, opening the window increases the vehicle’s air resistance, especially when driving on highways. This causes the car to consume more fuel compared to keeping the windows closed.
Over-inflating tires
Many drivers believe that tires should be under-inflated in summer and fully inflated in winter to follow the principle of "hot air expands, cold air contracts." However, tires are the parts of the vehicle that come into the most contact with the road. When driving at high speeds, friction with the road generates heat, which can affect the tire quality just like in summer.
Furthermore, the cold temperature combined with dry air can cause the tires to crack. Therefore, over-inflating the tires in winter can lead to serious consequences. Drivers should maintain the recommended tire pressure, whether in winter or summer, according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
