Cold weather puts extra pressure on your car, but it's often the driver’s habits during this time that cause the most long-term damage. From letting your car idle too long to skipping winter maintenance, some routines that seem harmless may be setting your vehicle up for problems later on.
Here are seven winter driving habits that can gradually wear down your vehicle and lead to unexpected repairs.
1. Excessive Idling on Cold Mornings
Warming up the engine for a few minutes is fine, especially when scraping the windshield or getting ready to leave. But letting your car idle for fifteen or twenty minutes every morning doesn't do the engine any favors. In fact, prolonged idling allows fuel to mix with oil, especially when the engine is still cold. This can reduce oil effectiveness over time and lead to sludge buildup inside the engine.
Modern engines are designed to warm up more efficiently by driving gently, not by sitting still for long stretches.
2. Ignoring Cold Tire Pressure Drops
When temperatures drop, so does tire pressure. For every ten degrees the temperature falls, your tire pressure can drop about one pound per square inch. Driving with underinflated tires affects traction, shortens tire life, and reduces fuel efficiency. It also increases the risk of sliding on icy roads.
A quick check with a tire gauge once a week in winter can help keep your tires safe and effective.
3. Accelerating or Braking Too Hard on Ice and Snow
Sudden movements on slippery roads don’t just increase the risk of a skid. They also put stress on your suspension, tires, and brakes. Cold temperatures make rubber and plastic components stiffer and more likely to crack. Sharp acceleration, harsh braking, and jerky steering can cause those parts to wear out more quickly.
Driving smoothly and planning your movements in advance helps both your safety and your car's longevity.
4. Driving Through Deep Snow and Ice Buildup
Pushing through deep snow may seem necessary at times, but it can cause damage to the underside of your vehicle. Ice and snow can pack into the wheel wells, hang from suspension components, or scrape against exhaust pipes. Over time, this buildup can lead to rust or dislodge wiring and sensors.
It’s always better to clear off the snow before driving and avoid plowing through large drifts unless absolutely necessary.
5. Leaving Road Salt on the Undercarriage
Road salt and de-icing chemicals help keep winter roads safe, but they are highly corrosive to your vehicle’s metal components. Brake lines, suspension arms, and even the frame itself can start to rust when salt isn’t washed away regularly.
Washing your car once every week or two during winter, especially after a snowstorm, can help prevent corrosion that might otherwise go unnoticed until serious damage has occurred.
6. Revving the Engine Before It Warms Up
Even though your engine starts quickly, the oil inside takes time to thin out and circulate properly. Revving the engine before it has reached normal temperature places added stress on internal components like pistons and bearings.
Instead of speeding off right away or revving the engine at idle, allow the oil pressure to stabilize and drive gently for the first few minutes. This gives the entire system time to settle into normal operation.
7. Skipping Maintenance Because It’s Cold
It’s easy to delay an oil change or brake check when the temperature drops. No one wants to deal with repairs in freezing weather. But cold temperatures put a lot of strain on your battery, fluids, belts, and hoses. Neglecting maintenance during this season can mean bigger repairs down the road.
Staying on top of service intervals during winter is one of the simplest ways to keep your car reliable, even when conditions outside are harsh.
Protect Your Car This Winter with Kamphaus Auto Care in Hanover Park, IL
If your car has been exposed to snow, salt, or cold-weather wear, bring it to Kamphaus Auto Care in Hanover Park. Our team can inspect your tires, check for signs of winter-related damage, and keep your vehicle running smoothly through the coldest months. Schedule your visit today and drive with confidence all season long.