Winter has well and truly arrived with some extremely cold temperatures and icy conditions, frost and darker evenings all contributing to challenges on the road. For all drivers and road users, it is important that the correct engine oil and antifreeze are used in your vehicle. Engines work even harder during cold weather, and lubricants, coolants & screen washes play a crucial role in maintaining the reliability of vehicles on the road.
The low temperatures have an impact on certain lubricants, such as reducing the oil’s effectiveness or causing it to thicken, meaning circulation through the engine is not as efficient, which can lead to damage to the components, reduction in fuel economy and in some cases causing the engine to fail to start.
Therefore, using the right viscosity or modern synthetic oils that provide outstanding wear protection is essential to the engine’s health and performance during adverse weather conditions. When choosing the viscosity remember that the ‘W’ on the code on the label stands for ‘winter’ and indicates the oil’s cold weather ability. The lower the number before the ‘W,’ the more efficiently it will perform.
The TotalEnergies Quartz range offers excellent engine protection, reduced component wear, enhanced fuel economy and improved performance. It also features Age Resistant Technology (ART) which fights against friction, corrosion, and deposits within the engine and therefore reduces potential cold start issues.
As well as oil, it is also essential to check the coolant level and concentration regularly during the cold months to ensure protection at low temperatures. Coolants are a necessity all-year-round, but the winter brings significant challenges that can affect the performance of the cooling system, making it more challenging to start vehicles on freezing mornings.
The cooling system helps prevent damage caused by freezing, cavitation, corrosion, overheating and the formation of deposits. Should the cooling system not function correctly, the engine will begin to fail, as could the radiator, water pump, head gasket or engine block. In the worst-case scenario, the engine could overheat and seize.
Finol Oils provide a suite of high-performance coolants & antifreeze for all the leading brands of vehicles and machines. Our high-performance coolant range includes both ready-to-use and concentrate types and many products that protect against freezing, many of our ready to use coolants are mixed to offer protection as low as -37°C.
Another important fluid for your vehicle when driving on the roads during the winter weather is a high impact screen wash to ensure your windscreen is always clear offering the best visibility possible. A low mix of screen wash with water may work fine in warmer temperatures but during the winter months it is important to ensure you mix your screen wash at the correct ratio and use a high-quality windscreen wash to avoid the screen wash freezing in the lines blocking its use when you need it most. Finol stocks screen wash that when mixed correctly offers protection from freezing down temperatures as low as -20°c and is recommended for Irish driving conditions.
Want to learn more about latest in lubricants and grease? See here. For any product information or pricing, please contact us at websales@finol.ie or 35 315827111.
