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Common Winter Vehicle Problems

We’ve all been there. You step outside on a cold morning and your door is frozen shut. Or you wake up late and don’t have enough time to defrost your car . These are just a few of the problems we must deal with each winter. Here are some awesome tips and tricks to beat our Canadian winter’s grip on your car.

Problem: Frozen Locks and Car Doors

frozen door

“It’s so cold I can’t even unlock my door, let alone open it!

Fix: Use a de-icing spray, heat up your keys, or try a different door

To unlock and open a frozen door, you can try a few things. De-icing spray lives up to its name and will get you out of a frozen situation. Simply spray into the crack of your door and that should do the trick! You can also (wearing gloves) heat up the key with a lighter or something along those lines, and when you insert the key, it should free up the lock.

Problem: Frozen windshield

frozen windshield

“My windshield is frozen, and my defroster is taking forever! I might as well use the ice scraper…”

Fix: Cover your windshield

You can’t completely escape the frost, but you can take steps to prevent it! Simply take a towel or piece of cardboard and cover the windshield of your car with it. Now, the cover will get frosty leaving your windshield clear and ready to drive! Note, still use your defroster because your windows can still fog up!

Problem: Deflated tires

winter low tire pressure

“My tire pressure was fine yesterday, why is my indicator light on?”

Fix: Regularly check your tire pressure

Freezing weather makes the air more compact, and this can lead to low tire pressure in your car. A simple fix to dealing with this would be to check consistently and add air when needed. On newer cars, the recommended tire pressure is commonly listed on a sticker inside the driver’s door. If there’s no sticker on the door, you can usually find the specifics in the owner’s manual! Most passenger cars will recommend 32 psi to 35 psi in the tires when they’re cold. Winter tires are always a great option when it comes to the cold because they are built to withstand the elements!

Problem: Dead Battery

winter car battery

“Why won’t my car start? It started yesterday!”

Fix: Get your battery checked before winter and store your car in a garage or under a cover.

Freezing temperatures can cause your battery to drain faster than it should. Extreme voltage from running the heater, the lights, and warming up the car can all impact how long your battery can last. The freezing temperatures are inevitable, so get your battery checked  before the weather turns and keep your car indoors or under a cover so it is protected from the elements! Our service departments have battery testing equipment and OEM specific replacements for all your battery needs!

Problem: Thick Oil

oil change snow

“I think the oil is frozen in my car; it won’t start!”

Fix: Use winter grade oil

Luckily for you, oil can’t freeze. However, it can lose its viscosity and the flow slows way down, making it hard or nearly impossible to start your car. This doesn’t happen   until the temperature gets below -18 degrees Celsius, but in the cold Canadian Winter it is extremely important to prep your car as well as you can. Winter grade oil is a great option if you are worried about this issue, as it is thinner and less susceptible to thickening. Schedule a Winter oil change today!

These winter car issues are only the tip of the iceberg, but this will get you started on surviving the winter months with your car! For all your Subaru Service needs and authentic parts please visit our service page. We hope you have a warm, dry winter and your car stays winterized!