Winter visibility and safety: Setting your GPS for cold temperatures

Global positioning system (GPS) devices used to be a thing of science fiction. Back then, nobody thought a device could accurately depict where you are located, and reveal a map of your destination before you even get there. But technology advanced, and what used to be myth became possible. Navigation became easier, and travelling to new locales became less of a hassle for motorists.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: blogspot.com

However, even the most advanced technologies bend to factors beyond human control—factors like climate. For an owner, a prominent concern is how a device will react to various weather conditions. After all, a good GPS device acts like your second pair of eyes that are not blinded by factors like smoke, dust, and fog, making it indispensable in environments with reduced visibility.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: coolest-gadgets.com

Depending on the type and the manufacturer, GPS devices demand a particular amount of care. This is typically not the case with built-in GPS systems, as these devices were designed and tested to work in extreme conditions. Other units, such as handheld and in-the-car receivers are best not exposed to low temperature, as this can cause their screens to momentarily cloud up. You may have to wait until the device warms up and the cloud dissolves before you can use it.

While unproven by most manufacturers, many users note that cold temperatures often cause the lithium ion batteries of their GPS units to run out faster. As a precaution, manufacturers advise users to take their GPS units out of the car when not being used.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: blogcdn.com

More importantly, you must remember to have your automobiles checked regularly. Auto repair shops like A&M Automotive in Bellevue, Washington, checks your car’s electronics to make sure that changes in climate do not cause insulations to wear off, among other things. Finely tuned electronic connections are integral to a fully operational GPS system.

For more information, visit AMAutofactoria.com.

Your car's color and the effects of white winter

It may not be the first thing they look at, but car owners mind their vehicle’s color. After all, no red convertible looks good with a faded paint job that lacks sheen. Unfortunately, car paint does not stay glossy forever, especially when exposed to temperature extremes. Winter, for one, poses many threats to car paint -- not good news to car owners who are hard-pressed to keep their rides looking as shiny as brand new.

From prestigeluxuryrentals.com

Weather has always affected the longevity of any material exposed to it. When in extreme cold, car paint usually suffers from thinned wax and weakened enamel. This exposes the car’s metal surface to the elements, potentially worsening the damage. Snow is not as delicate as it is often imagined to be, and, together with sleet, actually does a fine job of leaving scratches on a car’s paint job.

From blogspot.com

In very cold areas, snowfall can be very heavy, making the streets more slippery and hazardous. To remedy this, road salts are often used to de-ice streets. But while it reduces the risk brought about by slippery roads, it greatly causes the car’s paint to degrade and weaken. It can also act as a catalyst for rusting, something car owners would ever want to see in their vehicle.

From carcleaningguru.com

Experts suggest keeping cars in a garage to protect them from weather extremes. Depending on the car’s finish, owners can use products like paint sealants to enhance the longevity of their vehicle’s paint job. It is also best to have the car checked by experts. For example, technicians at A&M Automotive in Bellevue can recommend the proper steps to protect practically any finish in any automobile model.

For more updates, visit AMAutofactoria.com.