Especially when it’s cold, it’s always better for our vehicles to park in the garage. When winter and its harsh weather conditions arrive, we rely heavily on our vehicles to get us where we need to go. Snow, ice, cold temperatures, slush, and road salt are all part of the package when it comes to winter driving.
But what about winter parking? Most of the time, your vehicle’s parked, not driving, if you think about it. And where you park your car during the cold winter months can make a big difference in your car’s performance and longevity.
Let’s look at five reasons why it’s a good idea to park in the garage when the cold weather hits.
1. Start Me Up
We ask an awful lot from our car battery. Keep your battery happy and operating the way it should by parking in the garage. Sub-zero temperatures may make your battery sound “sluggish” when you crank the engine.
Also, cold temps may cause your battery fluid to freeze. This freezing can damage the battery cells and shorten the battery’s lifespan.
There’s nothing fun about sitting in a freezing car that won’t start. So, treat your battery well by parking in your garage in the winter.
2. Protection of Rubber Components
Sure, we make vehicles from steel, plastic, glass, and aluminum. But plenty of vehicle components come from out of rubber. And these can wear out if they are exposed to cold, harsh weather, or fluctuating temps for an extended period.
Wear and tear on rubber components due to the cold can cause problems like squeaking and rattling.
3. Put on the Brakes
Snow and ice may speed up the rusting process on your vehicle. And we’re not talking about rust just on the auto’s body. Rust also affects your brakes.
Some rust on your brakes is unavoidable. Especially if there’s salt on the road. But, parking in your garage may reduce the amount of moisture you expose your car to.
Exposure to moisture can lead to corrosion of your brake rotors. This can grow into bigger brake problems like premature brake pad wear.
4. Longer Engine Life
Temperatures inside your garage tend to stay more consistent than the outdoors. Because of this, your engine stays lubricated when you park your vehicle in the garage. The oil also remains at its optimal viscosity for engine start-up.
5. Heating Up in the Cold
Again, the lack of plunging temperatures in your garage is a helpful factor when it comes to your vehicle’s heating system. When in a garage, your heating system will maintain a more moderate temperature. And when you start your car, the heater will work more efficiently and faster.
Suppose you park outside on cold winter days. In that case, direct exposure to the cold temps can delay your vehicle from becoming warm inside.
When you park your car in the garage and start it up to warm it, make sure the garage door is all the way up. Good airflow in the garage lets out the dangerous carbon monoxide a running vehicle creates.
Dangerous driving conditions in the winter are stressful enough. It can be challenging to navigate winter roads. Don’t add more stress by reducing your vehicle’s performance in the winter. Do yourself and your vehicle a favor by parking in the garage versus outside.
If your garage door is not working properly, call us at Door Tech, and we’ll make it possible to protect yourself from cold and bad weather this winter!