This winter already has been one of the coldest and snowiest winters we have had in years in Cincinnati. Winter weather means a busy time for us here at Cincinnati Transmission Specialists, as the cold, ice, and snow brings out many unique situations for auto repair. We see many fleet vehicles outfitted with snow plows and salt spreaders ready to clear streets needing repairs, starting problems from the cold weather, and even some increase in transmission problems as well in the cold.
We all know the feeling of walking out on a cold winter morning, coat and gloves on, ice scraper in hand only to turn the key and.... click... click... nothing. Car won't start. Luckily, more often than not, the cause of a winter-time no start is as simple as a dead battery, but there are possibilities of more going on. Cold temperatures cause fluids to thicken and make the starter and battery work harder to start the car, as a result, an already weakened battery may fail to start when the mercury dips below freezing. In some cases, the battery itself can freeze causing starting problems. Here at Cincinnati Transmission Specialists, Inc, we can test or replace your battery before it leaves you out in the cold.
Snow and ice are not just hazardous and slippery. They can also be hard on your vehicle's transmission and all-wheel or four-wheel drive system if you have one. One of the hardest things on these systems is getting stuck in deep snow or on ice. Spinning tires, revving the engine, shifting gears, and rocking the vehicle out of a stuck situation can increase wear on these components. Try to avoid driving in deep snow and icy conditions when possible to avoid getting stuck and harming your vehicle.
Try these ideas for freeing a stuck vehicle with minimal hassle. Cat litter makes a great traction agent. A few handfuls of kitty litter under each wheel can gain you just enough traction to get the vehicle moving. A piece of cardboard between the wheel and snow can also help with traction issues and get you out of the snow. Avoid spinning tires as this will just make your problem worse and get the car stuck deeper into the snow and turn snow into ice. Try taking off in 2nd gear if you have a manual transmission or look for a snow, winter, 2nd gear start, or other mode on an automatic transmission vehicle to help you gain traction instead of spinning your wheels.
In winter weather, keep some emergency supplies in your vehicle just in case a problem should arise. You should keep with you a flashlight with fresh batteries, a candle and lighter or matches, blankets, water, and some non-perishable food. All year-round, keeping a disposable camera is a good idea to document an accident or other problem for your insurance company. Remember that 4-wheel and all-wheel drive systems can help get you moving in the snow, but they don't stop any better than 2-wheel drive vehicles, and good all-season or winter tires with deep tread can mean the difference between sliding and driving.
Though winter brings in more business, it also brings with it some unique challenges we face. Snow may be beautiful on the trees and fun on the ski slopes, but on the roadways, it become slippery and hazardous. In the interest of keeping all of our valuable employees safe and sound, and to keep our customers' vehicles out of harm's way, we avoid driving in the slick stuff if at all possible. Unfortunately, this means some delays and setbacks due to inability to test drive vehicles or obtain parts and supplies as timely as we would like. We certainly apologize and ask that you bear with us this time of year in the event that inclement weather causes delays.
Be safe out there in the winter weather and remember to call Cincinnati Transmission Specialists, Inc. at (513) 530-TRAN for our Sharonville location or (513) 844-TRAN in Fairfield for a safety inspection, maintenance, or repair on your car, truck, or SUV today.
