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Cold Weather Questions Get Answered, Maintaining Your Vehicle Fluids, Tire Pressure Trouble

Cold Weather Questions Get Answered, Maintaining Your Vehicle Fluids, Tire Pressure Trouble

WCCO's Car Care Jan 24, 2026 28 min
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About this episode

Cold weather brings unique challenges for vehicle maintenance, and this episode dives into listener questions about starting issues, battery checks, and the impact of frigid temperatures on car fluids. Nick Stoffel from Lloyd's Automotive provides expert advice on how to handle cold starts, the importance of monitoring battery health, and tips for maintaining tire pressure in extreme conditions. The discussion also touches on service bulletins for specific vehicle models and the best practices for washing cars in winter. Tune in for practical insights to keep your vehicle running smoothly in the cold.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Toyota RAV4

"It's about a 2019 Toyota RAV4 hybrid. Driving it for a few minutes here and there yesterday, I believe it was, it was fine and then left it for four or five hours and it wouldn't start."

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a type of car that uses both gas and electricity to run, making it more fuel-efficient. It's a popular choice for families because it has a lot of space and safety features.

Car

Toyota Highlander

"A listener says it's sent this via text. How do you check the battery on a 2021 Toyota Highlander hybrid? Should it last five years and how do you access it to check it?"

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a type of SUV that uses both gas and electricity to run, which helps save on fuel. The 2021 version has many modern features that make it safe and comfortable for families.

Term

high voltage battery

"There are two separate batteries of the high voltage battery that operates the hybrid system. That's nothing that the general public, the driver of the vehicle should deal with."

A high voltage battery is a special type of battery used in hybrid and electric cars. It stores a lot of energy to help power the car's electric motor.

Term

12 volt battery

"The 12 volt battery, which we've had in vehicles forever is something that needs to be maintained depending on the location."

A 12 volt battery is the regular battery found in most cars. It helps start the engine and powers things like the lights and radio, and it needs to be checked and replaced sometimes.

Term

check engine light

"The check engine light came on. Does not say what kind of vehicle this is. The check engine light came on eight days ago."

The check engine light is a light on your car's dashboard that tells you something might be wrong with the engine. It could be a small issue or something more serious, and you usually need to have it checked by a mechanic.

Term

O2 sensor

"I had the code read it said an O2 sensor, and then the light went out in four days before that light came back on."

An O2 sensor is a part of your car that checks how much oxygen is in the exhaust. It helps the car's computer manage fuel use and keep emissions low. If it fails, it can cause the check engine light to come on.

Term

oil filter

"Listener sent this in. Is the car manufacturer's oil filter a good choice?"

An oil filter helps keep the oil in your car clean by removing dirt and debris. Some people wonder if it's better to use the filter made by the car's manufacturer or if other brands are just as good.

Term

OEM filter

"You can determine what the cost of the OEM filter is. You can look at some of the aftermarket options."

An OEM filter is a part made by the original company that built your car. It's designed to fit perfectly and work well with your vehicle's system.

Term

aftermarket options

"You can look at some of the aftermarket options. You can ask the parts people, parts department, they can kind of help navigate that."

Aftermarket options are parts made by other companies that you can use instead of the original parts from the car's manufacturer. They can sometimes be cheaper or offer different benefits.

Car

Jeep Wrangler

"Here's a 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited four wheel high."

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a larger version of the Jeep Wrangler that has four doors. It's designed for off-road driving and is popular for its tough look and ability to handle rough terrain.

Term

all wheel drive

"Is this like all wheel drive? The question is, is it okay to drive..."

All-wheel drive means that power goes to all four wheels of the car, which helps it grip the road better, especially in bad weather like rain or snow. It's useful for driving on different types of surfaces.

Term

four wheel drive

"...is it okay to drive in four wheel high for long periods of time? And at what speeds?"

Four-wheel drive means that all four wheels of the car can get power from the engine, which helps when driving on rough or slippery surfaces. It's often used in trucks and SUVs for off-roading.

Term

coolant

"My mechanic says my coolant is only good to 40 below. How about an EV card?"

Coolant is a special liquid that helps keep your car's engine from getting too hot. It moves around the engine and radiator to keep everything running smoothly.

Term

EV

"How about an EV card? Does the battery freeze up at that temperature?"

An EV, or electric vehicle, is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. It uses big batteries to power the car, and you can charge it at home or at special charging spots.

Part

bushings

"But the suspension, the bushings, the struts, the seat of your car stiff, right?"

Bushings are small parts in a car's suspension that help make the ride smoother by reducing noise and vibrations. They act like cushions between different metal parts.

Part

struts

"But the suspension, the bushings, the struts, the seat of your car stiff, right?"

Struts are parts of the car's suspension that help absorb bumps in the road and keep the car stable. They work with other parts to make the ride smoother.

Car

Gmc Sierra

"Here's the 2017 GMC Sierra, had all the fluids flushed and changed by a local dealership last fall."

The GMC Sierra is a large truck that's great for carrying heavy loads. The 2017 version has different engine choices and some cool tech features to help with towing.

Term

flushed

"had all the fluids flushed and changed by a local dealership last fall."

Flushing is when you clean out the old fluids in a car to get rid of dirt and make sure everything works well. It's like giving the car's systems a fresh start.

Term

temperature gauge

"Well, now the temperature gauge shows the engine does not get as warm as before being flushed."

The temperature gauge tells you how hot the engine is running. If it's showing a lower temperature than usual, it could mean there's a problem with the engine's cooling system.

Part

thermostat

"...maybe the thermostat has seen better life meaning that that wax pellet isn't doing its job, but that thermostat is bypassing."

A thermostat helps keep the engine at the right temperature by controlling the flow of coolant. If it doesn't work properly, the engine might not heat up enough, especially in cold weather.

Car

Chevrolet Silverado

"It's a 2012 Silverado half ton. What do you think about the oil level there?"

The Chevrolet Silverado is a large truck that's great for carrying heavy loads. The 2012 version is known for being strong and reliable.

Term

oil level

"What do you think about the oil level there? No, I don't know yet."

The oil level is how much oil is in the engine. It's important to check it to make sure the engine runs smoothly and doesn't get damaged.

Term

weight of oil

"Make sure you grab a cart or two so you have the right weight of oil that you need. And as needed, you don't need to top it up."

The weight of oil tells you how thick or thin the oil is. Different cars need different types of oil to work well, especially in hot or cold weather.

Car

Buick Encore

"Here's a 2019 Buick Encore."

The Buick Encore is a small SUV that is easy to drive and has a lot of features. It's a good option for people who want a vehicle that is practical and can fit in tight spaces.

Part

direct injection

"...Newer vehicles have what we call direct injection, which is a high pressure fuel system."

Direct injection means the gas goes straight into the engine's combustion chamber, which helps the car use fuel more efficiently and can make it run better.

Term

high pressure fuel system

"...direct injection, which is a high pressure fuel system. So there's a secondary pump up on the engine itself."

A high pressure fuel system pushes gas into the engine at a stronger force, which helps the engine burn the fuel better and run more efficiently.

Part

valve stem

"It's usually part of the valve stem. So if something's coming apart there, I'd be worried of the flat tire to be honest."

The valve stem is the part on your tire where you pump air in. It's important for keeping your tires inflated and working properly.

Term

tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

"if your vehicle is equipped where it tells you the pressures of the tires are just the light. But, you know, we can ping with a little handheld tool"

TPMS is a system that checks if your tires have enough air. If one tire is low on air, it will warn you so you can fill it up and stay safe while driving.

Term

tire pressure sensors

"all four sensors or five sensors if there's one in the spare, determine if they're working."

These are small devices in your tires that check how much air is inside. They help keep your tires at the right pressure, which is important for safety and fuel efficiency.

Term

battery life

"you can see the battery life or the battery charge of it. So you can see if it's getting weak, if the battery's getting weak,"

Battery life is how long a battery lasts before it needs to be changed. For tire sensors, it's important to check this so they keep working properly.

Term

three quarter ton truck

"...my truck's at three quarter ton. And so it has the higher capacity tires."

A three quarter ton truck is a type of pickup truck that can carry more weight than smaller trucks. It's good for hauling heavy items or towing trailers.

Term

PSI

"...And my tires said they were at 58 PSI when I left."

PSI means how much air pressure is in your tires. It's important to have the right amount of air in your tires for safe driving and better gas mileage.

Term

overinflated tires

"...not overinflated tires, but we don't have the light on..."

Overinflated tires are tires that have too much air in them. This can make it harder to drive safely and can wear the tires out faster.

Term

hand wax

"But I will tell you, if you do actually take the time to hand wax your vehicle, it will look like it's a new vehicle when you're done. It's amazing what that little elbow grease will do."

Hand waxing is when you apply wax to your car's paint by hand to make it shiny and protect it. It can help your car look like it's brand new.

Term

clay bar

"and maybe once a year, maybe once every couple of years, I will clay bar my car before I wax it."

A clay bar is a special tool that helps clean your car's paint by removing dirt and other stuff stuck to it. It's used before waxing to make sure the wax sticks better and the car looks smoother.

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