UPPER MICHIGAN (WLUC) – The extreme cold weather we’ve been experiencing can cause issues with your car.
We spoke with the people who’ve been servicing cars with problems caused by the cold.
According to car experts, the most common issue seen during the cold is problems with starting the vehicle.
Jon’s Auto Service Manager Craig Ilmonen says he’s been servicing cars with battery issues.
“The last few days, we’ve been seeing a lot of battery issues with the extreme cold,” Ilmonen said. “A lot of no starts.”
Quality Car Care Center Service Writer Mike Grange says preventive maintenance is the best way to make sure your car starts reliably.
Grange recommends getting your battery checked during oil changes and in the fall before cold weather hits.
“Anything five years on a battery is probably getting close to the end of the life of a battery,” Grange said. “You get longer time out of some batteries, but you want to look at that mark and then get a fresh battery before you have to have it towed on top of putting a battery in.”
Grange says the cold weather can also cause your car to make strange noises.
“This extreme cold, you’re going to hear probably lots of funny noises coming out of your car when you start it,” Grange said. “It’s just got to give it time to warm up.”
Ilmonen says the best way to prepare for the cold is keeping up with service.
“I think just taking care of your vehicle in general,” Ilmonen said. “Knowing your vehicle, knowing what needs to happen, making sure that we’re going through the service intervals.”
Ilmonen also recommends keeping your car’s gas at least half a tank and keeping warm clothes and a blanket in the vehicle.
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