How to protect your engine in winter

Recently, the cold wave has hit, and the cars of car owners have also begun to face the test of the cold. "Many car owners often ignore the impact of weather factors on their cars, causing wear and tear on their cars and affecting normal use." As the temperature in Zhongshan plummets, many people in the industry point out that car maintenance should be done simultaneously at low temperatures, especially Focus on protecting the engine, and at the same time, auto parts also need to be "warmed." High engine speed is normal. As the temperature has dropped significantly, many careful car owners have recently discovered that after starting the car engine in the morning, the speed obviously feels relatively high, and some may have reached around 1800 rpm. "Car owners can rest assured that this is completely normal. When it is the coldest, the engine speed after cold start may even exceed 2,000 rpm, but this is normal." Zhongyu Toyota maintenance expert Li Qianyong said. Visits to major 4S stores revealed that many new car owners have expressed concerns about this phenomenon recently. Li Qianyong said that as the temperature decreases, the starting speed of the engine will increase accordingly. This is a normal phenomenon, but as the engine temperature rises, the engine speed will gradually decrease until it reaches normal idle speed. Industry insiders remind that in autumn and winter, it is best to let the engine reach normal temperature before starting the vehicle, that is, preheat it in advance before starting, let the engine run freely for 2-3 minutes, and allow the lubricating oil to penetrate into every moving surface to minimize Engine wear. Replace engine coolant in time. Faced with rising prices, many car owners have recently chosen their own ways to save money, such as mixing antifreeze and extending the use time. Experts suggest that antifreeze needs to be changed every two years, and mixed antifreeze needs to be changed every year. During use, you should also pay attention to the fact that products of different brands and models cannot be mixed. "The long-lasting coolant used in the original car does not need to be replaced within two years or 80,000 kilometers. If it exceeds this range, it is best to go to the 4S store to check the quality of the coolant. If it is found to have deteriorated, replace it in time." Li Qianyong He told reporters that the lubrication requirements for cars in winter are higher, so the amount of antifreeze must be appropriate. After visiting major 4S stores, we found that the relevant after-sales service departments recommended the use of long-lasting engine coolant that does not deteriorate. "The main function of long-lasting antifreeze is not only to prevent the coolant from freezing, but also to prevent corrosion of the water channels of the cooling system, so car owners should pay attention." said the relevant person in charge of the Zhongyu Toyota market. Lubrication and cleaning are both indispensable. Car owner Xiao Pei recently had a problem. His car recently made a lot of noise when starting. "Sometimes I can feel some clattering sounds, and I don't know what's wrong." In this regard, experts explained that as the temperature decreases, the engine oil becomes difficult to flow, especially during cold starts, which will cause very serious engine problems. wear and tear. Experts suggest that engine oil that has been used for a long time, becomes black in color, and has poor adhesion should be replaced to ensure smooth engine start. Timely replacement of engine oil and oil filter is indispensable. On the other hand, the selection of engine oil is also very important. Industry insiders pointed out that if the vehicle is only used in Zhongshan, the engine oil can be changed regularly. However, if the vehicle is driven to the colder north, it is necessary to switch to multi-grade engine oil that is suitable for both heating and cooling. In addition, the cleaning of carbon deposits in the engine air intake system cannot be underestimated. "If you feel the engine shaking after a cold start in the morning, it is probably caused by too much carbon deposits in the engine intake system. It is recommended to clean the throttle or the carbon deposits near the valve." Li Qianyong said that the existence of these carbon deposits will not only cause Engine vibration will also increase engine fuel consumption. In autumn and winter, tire rubber becomes hard and relatively brittle, and the friction coefficient will decrease. The tire pressure should not be too high, but it should not be too low. If the outside temperature is low and the tire pressure is too low, the aging of soft tires will be accelerated. When the weather is cold, it is more important to clean the inclusions in the tire tread frequently, try to avoid using tires that have been patched more than once, and replace tires with greater wear and tires of different brands and different patterns. In addition, the wear of the inside and outside of the tire is very different. To ensure safety and reduce wear, the position of the tire should be changed regularly.

2. Air conditioning maintenance. Although the weather in Zhongshan is mostly hot, and the use of air conditioners is what everyone usually pays attention to, the condition of vehicle heating devices cannot be ignored. It is recommended that car owners do it themselves and try whether the heating of their car is normal. If it is not normal, they should check and repair it as soon as possible to prevent the weather from suddenly becoming cold and unable to use the heating. 3. Battery testing. Batteries are most afraid of low temperatures. In low temperature environments, the battery's capacity is much lower than that at normal temperature. Therefore, before the cold season comes, the performance of the battery should be tested. For maintenance-free batteries, when the performance of the battery is detected to be lower than the standard value, it must be replaced in time to prevent the engine from starting normally. For batteries that can add battery water, the electrolyte of the battery should be replenished and the specific gravity of the electrolyte should be adjusted. At the same time, clean the battery terminals and apply special grease to protect them to ensure reliable startup and extend battery life. If the vehicle is left unused in the open air or in a garage for several weeks, the battery should be removed and stored in a warmer room to prevent the battery from freezing and damage. 4. Light inspection. Blackened bulbs in car lights should be replaced as soon as possible, and the condition of fog lights and brake lights should also be checked. Winter is prone to frost, visibility is low, and rear-end collisions are particularly common. Therefore, whether fog lights and high-mounted brake lights are working properly is also a guarantee of driving safety in winter.