Cold Weather Vehicle No-Nos (Items to Avoid Storing in a Freezing Vehicle)
May 11, 2025
It's always easier to leave a few things in your vehicle so you'll have them on hand. But in cold weather, while it's a good idea to carry items such as a phone charger, blanket and shovel, there are some things you shouldn't store in your vehicle.
- Medicines and drugs. Cold temperatures can affect the chemical makeup of some drugs. Avoid leaving them in a vehicle, especially those in a liquid form like insulin, eye drops and cough syrup.
- Latex paint. They are water based, and when they freeze, they get lumpy and lousy. Your paint job will not be what you had in mind.
- Cellphones and computers. Most of these have lithium ion batteries. If they get colder than freezing (0 degrees C, 32 degrees F), if you try to charge them, you'll more than likely ruin the batteries.
- Bottled water, soda, wine or beer. OK, here's the scoop. All of these can freeze and split the container they're in. Yes, soda, wine and beer will take a lower temperature to freeze than water, but all of these can easily freeze if the mercury plunges low enough. The problem isn't when they're frozen; it's when they unfreeze, drip out of their containers and leave you with a colossal mess.
- Musical instruments. Guitars are made of wood. When a guitar freezes and you bring it quickly into a warm room, you may hear cracking sounds that tell you that guitar will be not-so-gently weeping from the damage that can occur. The same goes for wind instruments and others. Don't ever subject musical instruments to quick temperature extremes.
Take a little time and effort not to leave these things out in a frigid vehicle. You'll likely spend far more time and money tending to the resulting consequences than if you'd just brought them inside in the first place.
Car Fix Louisville
5411 New Cut Road
Louisville, KY 40214
5023652323
Need Service?
More articles from Car Fix Louisville - Formerly Eagle Tire & Auto Center

Muffler: Victim of Winter (Muffler Repair)
August 25, 2025
So you almost got through the winter until, one day, your muffler started sounding like a dragster, loud and obnoxious. It's not surprising. All that road salt and brine can cause rust to punch holes in a muffler, and that should raise a big, red warning flag about the safety of your vehicle. O... More

Why You Have an O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor)
August 18, 2025
If someone asked you what gas made up the largest portion of the atmosphere, what would you guess? Well, it's not oxygen; it only makes up 20.9 percent. But since we're talking about oxygen, you should know that your vehicle uses oxygen sensors to make sure your engine is running the way it shou... More

A Not-So-Straight Story (Vehicle Pulls to One Side)
August 11, 2025
A vehicle should travel straight down a straight road with the steering wheel centered. But time and travel can take their toll and soon you may find your vehicle pulling to the left or right. Those are not good signs and should be taken care of fairly quickly. One thing that you should note is... More