If there’s a heavy snowfall and your car gets buried, you might not want to drive it anywhere while road conditions are poor. It’s tempting to leave the car covered in snow until it thaws out, but here are five reasons for getting a shovel and digging your car out sooner rather than later.
Drained Battery
Your car’s systems depend on its battery, which has to work harder in freezing temperatures. Having the lights and heating on most of the time takes its toll, but at least the battery is getting charged. When you leave the car sitting under snow for a long period, the battery can drain completely, especially if it’s older.
You may be able to jump-start your car, but, once the battery has been fully discharged, you might need to charge it slowly or replace it. If your battery dies, you will have to reset the memory settings in your car. Dig your car out as soon as possible and run it for 10 or 15 minutes to keep the battery charged.
Brake Problems
When packed snow gets in and around your brakes, it can cause problems. The calipers, pads, and seals can get damaged. If the snow is left long enough, it can cause the discs to rust. When you eventually dig out the car, you might find that the brakes will squeal and screech until you’ve used them a few times. If a caliper fails, it was most likely going to need to be replaced anyway, but the snow can speed up its demise.
Packed Snow
The weight of a load of snow on your car is not going to affect it — it’s designed to carry people and luggage. But, when new snow falls on old snow, it gets compacted and will be forced into every orifice, making it harder to clear. Doors and locks can stick and, if you don’t clear packed snow from the exhaust tail pipe, carbon monoxide can be forced into the cabin. Make sure to clear ice from the engine bay as it can damage moving parts.
Damage to Bodywork
If there’s any damage on your bodywork, such as dents and scrapes that have left exposed metal, you could be in for some more expensive repairs. The snow can absorb salt or chemicals that are used on the roads and those substances will find their way into any weak spots. Your paint job can also be damaged by prolonged exposure to chemicals. Even if you do dig your car out, it’s advisable to clean it to get rid of harmful substances.
Hard Work
The longer you leave your car under its coating of snow, the harder it’s going to be to dig it out. Fresh snow is relatively easy to shift, but packed snow can freeze to be hard as concrete.
After your car has been under the snow, if you think there are any problems with your engine, brakes, or battery, the service department at Chestatee Ford can check it over for you.
Image via Pixabay
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