Extreme cold weather can do terrible things to your car. For example, it can harden your tires, lower their pressure and even cause windshield damage. The transmission system in particular is one part of the car that can suffer from cold temperatures. Here is an overview of how this might happen:

Thicken Lubrication Fluid

The transmission system is composed of different moving components such as gear sets, clutch plates, pumps, flywheels and many others. All these parts need to be lubricated to reduce friction. Unfortunately, lower temperatures result in thickened lubrication, which means the fluid can't move well, and the transmission parts face heightened friction. Apart from reduced efficiency, you will also be exposing your car to premature component wear and damage.

Contract Parts

As you know, solids contract when cooled. Therefore, if your car gets too cold, then its components will contract. This may not be a problem for parts such as body panel and others; after all, the contraction is minimal. However, it may be a serious problem for adjacent components that should have tight tolerances; if these are moving parts, then their movements may be hindered. Another problem is when metallic parts contract and their seals loosen; fluids (such as water) may get into undesirable spaces.

Form Ice

Water is always an enemy of the transmission system, and the problem only worsens when it freezes. For example, water absorbed by the transmission bands and clutch linings can freeze. Frozen water expands, and this will damage these parts. When water gets beneath the metallic linings and freezes, it can lift it off the metal.

Lock Up Engine

Most modern cars have onboard computers that control different parts of the car including the transmission system. If you get stuck, and this is common when driving on icy patches on the road, you may be tempted to spin your wheels in a bid to free the car.

Unfortunately, the onboard computer may read this as an increase in speed and engage the converter clutch (which locks the engine directly to the wheels). If you do manage to free the wheels, their spinning speeds will suddenly drop, and this may damage the transmission. The best thing to do when stuck is to get pushed or pulled out.

Now you know what to expect when the cold weather season is about to start. Use this information to prepare for cold weather driving.  For example, it is a good idea to change the oil and oil filter (just before the cold season strikes) to increase lubrication. For more advanced repairs or if you have questions, visit Tom's Husker Automotive Inc.

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