Cold weather and winter plays havoc on cars. Some people in colder Canadian climates actually store their vehicle for the winter some actually raised off the ground on blocks. Amazingly even when 10 years old these older used cars look almost new – certainly compared automobiles that are similar yet driven through winters for transportation to their owners, friends and family. Yet what can the average car or truck owner who lives in a cold winter climate yet does not have the luxury of either storing their vehicle away or having a “winter beater” to drive.

First of all keep your car garaged. Even an open car port is better than no protection at all. It’s not the temperature as much as the winds that chill the engine and car of any residual heat. If a garage is not available then next in line is a carport. Lastly if this is not possible then any type of shelter over or around the car will help. Trees, a wall, the side of a house – all provide some protection from the ravages of nature. In cold windy climates shelter is a must, because cold windy air hastens greatly the rate at which an engine cools. Taking the care to protect and shelter from wind and the low temperatures of winter will do more to promote good winter gas mileage than any other single item. Always remember it took gasoline to warm the engine and anything you can do to conserve that heat will improve your gas mileage and mpg scores.

However in the converse or for that same car during a hot summer day hot dry or dusty climates a garaged car is impervious to gasoline evaporation. As much as a quart can be lost in extremely hot windy days if the car or truck is left outside. Hence a garage is not only a vehicle protector during cold winters but in other seasons of the year as well. Further garaging your car also eliminates the problems of dust entering the engine compartment. True motors now in modern cars generally have carburetors they have fuel ignition. Yet dust and grime is still and enemy of engines causing engine wear. Its no accident that cars still have air filters to filter out dust and grime in the air reaching your power plant. At the least your air breather filter won’t get as clogged with silt, nor have to be replaced as often. A cleaner running air filter means better gas mileage overall.

Lastly another benefit of garaging a car is that during rain storms and in wet climates, a shelter guards against the frustration of a wet non starting ignition.

Although a sheltered SUV, truck or car will give better gas mileage, it will perhaps more importantly give more miles and life span too. A garaged car will definitely last longer than one left outside at the mercy of the elements. Sheltering a car gives you a great advantage in the quest for extended engine and total car life. It is one of the most important things that any automobile owner can do for his or her car.

Unfortunately many of us do have the luxury of a garage or car port. We may park out vehicle in an apartment or condo parking lot where at the best we may be provided with an ac plug in for out engine block heater. If this is your case, or your lot as a car owner, your battle will be tougher but remember that any shelter you can find will be better than none. At the least if possible swap your parking spot for one more sheltered from the elements.

Author Bio: Wayne I Haddad Vancouver Chevrolet Auto Dealers Vancouver Auto Traders Langley Pitt Meadows BC Auto Financing Low Payments Easy Financing