How Cold Wichita Winters Affect Your Car’s Motor Oil

When winter settles into Wichita, cold mornings near the Arkansas River and icy commutes along Kellogg can change how your engine oil works. Because cold temperatures thicken oil, your engine has to work harder during early starts near Old Town or Delano. As a result, thick oil moves slower through vital engine parts, increasing wear during short trips to places like Bradley Fair or Century II. So, in this blog the experts at Tracy’s Tire Pros take a close look at the affects of cold weather on your motor oil and the steps to take to protect your car’s engine.

Why Cold Motor Oil Can Cause Problems

Because oil thickens in freezing weather, it struggles to reach tight engine spaces quickly. Consequently, metal parts can briefly rub together before proper lubrication starts. Meanwhile, frequent cold starts during winter events like commutes to work or drives to snowy school mornings add extra strain. Add to this engines that idle longer to warm up, causing fuel to burn less efficiently.

Steps You Should Take to Protect Your Engine

• First, switch to the manufacturer-recommended winter or multi-viscosity oil before deep cold arrives.

• Next, check your oil level often, especially after long drives on I-135 or US-54.

• Additionally, warm your engine briefly before driving, but avoid long idle times in your driveway.

• Finally, schedule regular oil changes at Tracy’s Tire Pros on East First Street North in Downtown Wichita so old, contaminated oil does not thicken further in the cold.

Tracy’s Tire Pros Help You Stay Ready for Wichita’s Winter Roads

Whether you are heading downtown for a Shockers game or navigating snow near Riverside Park, proper oil care matters.
Therefore, a little preparation now helps your engine stay protected all winter long. So, call Tracy’s Tire Pros to schedule routine oil changes to save you money down the road.

Tracy’s Tire Pros can help you with any automotive issues that you may have. And they have three locations for your convenience:  West Maple Street auto care and auto repair, East First Street N. and West 21st Street N. And, Tracy’s Automotive is a proud dealer for Jasper Engines and Vogue Performance Exhaust systems.

Tracy’s Tire Pros in Wichita, KS