Winter weather can damage your vehicle in multiple ways, some of which may require auto towing. Some of these issues can be halted with the right preventative maintenance techniques. The following common problems should be dealt with immediately, or you risk paying thousands of dollars in repair costs.

How Cold Temperatures Impact Your Vehicle

1. Thick Car Fluids

Fluids in your car, such as oil, transmission, and antifreeze, will thicken in freezing temperatures. When this happens, it's difficult for your fluid lines to transfer them from point A to B. You could winterize some fluid, like antifreeze, but it's difficult to get oil or transmission fluid to work at lower temperatures. Instead, start your car ten minutes before driving to warm the engine and make the fluids more viscous.

2. Dead Car Battery

The most common reason for auto towing is a dead battery. In the winter, your battery is overworked because the electrical energy it uses to power your car needs to warm up a cold engine, which takes longer. Warming up your car helps, but storing it in a garage will prevent a faulty battery. If your battery is older than three years old, consider changing it as it's almost past the due date.

3. Frozen Wiper Blades

The rubber on commercial wiper blades freeze during sub-zero temperatures, and if they aren't cleaned regularly, they will break or crack. Defrost your windshield before using your wiper blades to move the snow. Switch your summer wiper blades to a winter model, as they work better when temperatures fall below freezing point.

4. Low Tire Pressure

Tire pressure drops if your vehicle is stationary, no matter the season. However, denser cold air will make it fall faster, and punctures are frequent from icy roads. Tire pressure for a typical vehicle should range between 30 to 35 PSI. You can check the pressure by purchasing a pressure gauge, or doing the penny test. 

Take a penny and place it between the grooves of the tire treads with Lincon's head facing downwards. If you can't see his head, or at least the forehead is covered, your tire pressure is optimal. If you can see the top of his head, you may need new tires.

Sometimes break downs can't be avoided, especially during harsh winter weather. Contact Goldbeck Towing Service, LLC, for emergency auto towing across Wisconsin. Since 1956, this La Crosse County-based towing company has helped its community out of car-related jams with its dependable and professional service. They offer 24/7 roadside assistance, so you can have peace of mind driving short or long trips. Call (608) 781-4869 today to request assistance, or learn more about their medium-duty and heavy-duty towing services by visiting their website.