Outcome of Groundhog Day offers potential challenge for Johnsburg car, truck and SUV owners

What will the groundhog have

to say about the rest of this 

winter? If it's bad news (and

you believe the groundhog),

you might want to make

sure your car, truck or SUV

is up to the job.

Groundhog Day just came to Johnsburg, again. Did that furry little critter give us good news? Or did it curse us with an extended season of cold and snow. While those who believe the groundhog has some kind of mythical ability to predict the weather, and those who simply enjoy the holiday for the fun of it, anxiously await news of the groundhog seeing its shadow or not, the extent of winter weather in the days ahead is a significant question for our cars, trucks and SUVs.

Warmer weather is generally easier on our vehicles. And if warm and sunny days outnumber the cold, rainy and snowy days as Spring approaches, it’s a small blessing for all our car, trucks and SUVs.

An extension of frigid days throughout the rest of February and into March and even April, means that your vehicle’s engine has to work against thickened oil to pump that oil up into the heads and engine block where the oil can provide its protective characteristics. 

If we see a string of sub-zero days for the next couple of months, our antifreeze needs to brace itself to keep from freezing.

When the cold is accompanied by snow, you have to count on your vents to defrost windows on those cold days. You have to count on the rubber of your wiper blades to remain reasonably supple, so they do a good job of cleaning away the snow, ice and freezing rain.

Then there’s your battery and charging system. While the cold is actually easier on your battery than those really hot days, because the oil is thicker, the starter has to work harder to turn over the engine. If your battery is getting a little long in the tooth, it may not be able to give the starter all the juice it requires. And if the alternator isn’t doing its job sufficiently, the charge in the battery will slip away even if the battery is relatively new.

In the meantime, your rubber tires are also hardened by the cold, and the tire tread is more critical than ever. Those tires need to get a good bite on the road when it’s covered in snow and/or ice. That helps you to get going and pull your car, truck or SUV through the elements.

Then again, your tires need to give you the kind of traction you’ll need if you need to stop.

On top of all that, the snow, ice and freezing rain, especially when they’re mixed with roadsalt, can be hard on your vehicle’s finish. They’ll look for any weakness that gives them a chance to start spread rust.

The point is that, whether the groundhog has any idea how much more winter is coming to Johnsburg or not, more winter weather is a challenge for your car, truck or SUV. And that means it’s more of a challenge for you to maintain your vehicle.