December 27, 2012 - During the winter months, you may find yourself spending more money on the maintenance of your car. One of the reasons for the extra costs is the cold weather. Cold weather means that more energy must be expended to keep you comfortable.
When you leave the warm sanctuary of your home, to forge the frozen tundra of your front lawn and drive way, the first thing you want to do is heat your car to regain the feeling in your fingers. This heat comes at a price though. The blaring heat is a waste of gas, and the seat warmers sap battery energy. The price of warmth may be worth it, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself refilling your tank more often in the winter. There is also the external battle you fight every morning with the frost on your windshield. Most people blast their defrosters and windshield wipers, to create a dual penetrating effect.
All these processes, while effective, can really take a toll on your car and your wallet. So here are some things you can do to save yourself some money while you combat the cold:
Get your battery tested at every oil change.
Warm you vehicles for 2 – 5 minutes every morning. Anything longer than that and you will just be wasting fuel.
Use the temperature control instead of relentlessly blasting your heater.
Remember to turn your defrosters off after you regain visibility.
