Taking care of a car in southern Arizona is a process that will look quite different from doing the same in northern Saskatchewan. Similarly, a vehicle living near saltwater will have its own unique vehicle maintenance requirements.
Both the weather and climate profoundly impact various parts of a vehicle, and even cars or trucks made to handle extreme conditions will still need to be on a regular vehicle maintenance schedule. Therefore, you need to take stock of what vehicle maintenance looks like where you live.
Understanding Regional Variations
Maintaining a solid grip on your vehicle’s upkeep needs means balancing your driving habits, keeping track of how much stop-and-go you experience, the temperatures and precipitation you deal with, and other considerations.
Let’s examine what you might deal with depending on where you drive:
Maintenance Challenges in Urban Areas
In big cities, there may not be much in the way of high-speed cruising, but stopping and idling will certainly take center stage. This means brake pads will wear out quicker, transmissions will shift more, and your engine will run harder. Even though the miles won’t rack up, the vehicle's parts and system could see more abuse.
Rural Considerations for Vehicle Upkeep
You may think you’re out of the proverbial woods when you get away from the crowds, but the literal woods come with their own set of considerations. Dust and dirt can build up on your car on its underside and body, and clog filters. So cleanings must be more frequent.
On top of that, rough terrain can wear out suspension components faster. Gravel can scratch or damage paint, or crack windshields from the cars in front. If the road gets too harsh and your vehicle doesn’t have a belly pan or other underside protection, you can tear through vital components.
Living in more rural areas will likely mean longer travel times to get to locations, which means your vehicle will tack on the mileage quite quickly. At freeway speeds, things like tire conditions and balance become larger considerations.
Climate Considerations
Temperature and humidity can greatly affect a vehicle’s condition, leading to fading finishes, cracking rubber, shortened battery life, and poorer efficiency. You’ll also have to factor in corrosion concerns if the roads near you get salted in the winter or if you live near saltwater.
Because of these factors, purchasing a car that’s lived its whole life in snowy climates can have significant rust, while the same model of vehicle that always tore through the flat/moderate climates can look pristine, even with the same mileage.
Let’s dig into these vehicle maintenance differences in greater detail:
Hot Climates: Vehicle Maintenance Requirements
Temperatures exceeding the 90-degree mark aren’t just uncomfortable for people; they’re uncomfortable for cars, too. Across the southern U.S., cars experience much higher temperatures than vehicles in northern climates, which leads to specific hot-weather vehicle maintenance issues, such as:
Cooling Systems Needing Extra Care
As a means of keeping engine (and sometimes transmission) temperatures under control, your vehicle has a cooling system in place. If the system has any problems, your car can overheat remarkably quickly in areas with high ambient temperatures. As such, owners must stay aware of coolant levels and watch for coolant leaks with a diligent vehicle maintenance schedule.
Cosmetic Problems Caused by Intense Sunlight
Vehicle paint fades and cracks far faster when it is left to sit in intense sunlight. Similarly, rubber, such as that on your window trim, tires, and windshield wipers, can shrink and crack with prolonged direct sun exposure.
Choosing to park in the shade or a garage or using a car cover keeps paint and rubber from sustaining damage, protecting the metal underneath. Regular washing and waxing are also necessary to keep a vehicle’s finish looking new.
Battery Concerns
Generally, car batteries should last up to five years, but temperature extremes can cause the liquids inside of the battery to evaporate and weaken its overall performance.
Cold Climates: Vehicle Maintenance Tips
Cold-weather vehicle maintenance is, in some ways, more comprehensive and essential than hot-weather maintenance, involving the following concerns:
Car Tire Pressure Will Drop
Lower temps lead to lower tire pressure, and partially deflated tires wear out faster. Before driving any distance, make sure your tires are inflated to the right pressure.
Driving in Snow and Ice
On the subject of tires, having winter tires will ensure you maintain traction even in slippery conditions; even vehicles with all-wheel drive (AWD) can lose control with little warning when the roads are slick. You have to make sure your tires and systems are geared toward these conditions.
Salty and Sandy Roads Cause Corrosion
Roads will often be covered with salt, sand, or a combination of the two to melt away any snow or ice. States in the midwest and northeast tend to use higher salt concentrations, while western states use more sand.
Make no mistake, though; both can cause corrosion, and that means car owners need to be meticulous about cleaning. Sand is abrasive and needs to be wiped off carefully to avoid scratching a vehicle’s finish.
Rustproofing can reduce the damage a vehicle sustains, but sand and salt will still eat through rust-proofed components in due time if not cleaned immediately. If you drive an older car with less effective (or a complete lack of) rustproofing, there are rustproofing services that can preserve your vehicle’s sensitive metal parts.
Pay Attention to Fluids
Cold temperatures cause fluids to become more viscous and resist flowing. Winter-grade engine oil can prevent poor oil flow from damaging your engine internals.
Cold Is Hard on Batteries
When the temperatures drop below freezing, car batteries lose around 30% of their power, making it harder for cars to start. Parking in heated garages can prevent such an outcome, but otherwise, you’ll have to get a jumpstart from another vehicle or use an external battery to replenish the charge.
Coastal Areas: Battling Salt and Humidity
Even in ideal temperatures, cars still need a comprehensive vehicle maintenance schedule to avoid long-term wear and damage from other factors. Southern areas, especially those by the coastline, will have higher humidity and salt concerns to be aware of, such as:
Corrosion Risks From Sea Salt
Just as cold-climate states have salt concerns from the roads in winter, coastal states will have salt concerns only from the seawater instead. Cars will need constant washing and quality rustproofing to avoid rust.
Humidity and Bacteria/Mold Growth
High humidity can cause mold, mildew, and bacteria to grow quickly. Cars will need proper ventilation and filtration to avoid becoming musty-smelling and hazardous to people with asthma and similar breathing conditions, so keep an eye on those air filters. Cleaning the inside of the car to get rid of dirt, food, and contaminants is essential.
Mountainous Terrains: Handling Steep Challenges
Sometimes, the terrain will prove to be the biggest challenge for your car’s overall health. Issues you can face when the hills get steep include things like the following:
Brakes Wearing Out Faster
Steep descents require constant braking, which leads to quickly worn brake pads and rotors. Another issue is the buildup of brake dust, which is corrosive and can stain rims and body panels. Even if you rely more on engine braking during abrupt drops, that will put more wear on your engine itself, meaning you’ll have to stay on top of oil changes and your cooling system.
Engines Working Harder at High Altitudes
Driving at high altitudes strains engine performance, though that is becoming less of an issue with turbocharged engines that can adjust their boost on the fly. Still, if you notice reduced power at high elevations, be wary; it can make pulling out in traffic or maintaining speed more difficult.
You’ll also need to pay attention to specific parts, such as oxygen sensors, which will require frequent checks. If you have an older vehicle with fewer or no computer controls, you may have to manually adjust the vehicle’s air-fuel mixture to avoid running lean or rich.
Your Tire Treads Needing Monitoring
When you find yourself on steep grades, you’ll want tires that provide as much grip as possible. All-terrain tires may be essential, and ensuring they have plenty of treads will have to become a habit.
Customizing Your Maintenance Plan for Your Region
With all of the above vehicle maintenance requirements and considerations in mind, you need to ensure you’re maintaining your car according to the demands of your climate. Start by talking to local mechanics about the care your particular vehicle needs; they can get you onto a vehicle maintenance schedule that will ensure your car stays in great shape for its entire lifespan.
You may live in an area that experiences extreme climate swings from brutal heat to bitter cold, and your vehicle care will have to adapt. You’ll likely want to invest in multiple sets of rims with different types of tires (summer tires, winter tires, all-season tires, etc.), change to engine oil appropriate for the season, and remember that keeping your car clean is essential no matter the season!
Above all else, you need to cover your car with the right protection plan. Talk to a CarShield representative today about the right plan for your climate and your car. We have several plans to fit your needs, CarShield will make sure you get the coverage you’re looking for. Contact CarShield today!
