Easy tips for keeping your car happy and functioning in the cold weather

Even when it's cold, you still have places to be.

When Knoxville temperatures are in the low teens and 20s, car troubles could easily arise.

A polar vortex this past week has been sending arctic air into Southern states, and when your car sits out in that cold weather, it can create more than a few problems.

These tips and tricks should provide travelers with ways to keep their cars going until the temperature begins to rise and the cold weather moves out.

Tips for starting cars in cold weather

How frustrating is it to be headed off to work when your engine won't turn over? More than likely the cold weather is a factor. How do you avoid this situation and what do you do if your car won't start?

AAA gives some tips and advice for preventing your battery from dying in cold weather:

• Get your battery checked each year before winter. If it's weak, you may want to get a new one.
• Clean any corrosion off your battery that might prevent it from starting.
• Drive your car for at least 30 minutes straight every day for a week. Short trips can drain the battery and prevent your alternator from recharging.
• Park your car somewhere warm, if possible, such as a garage. If that's not possible, try buying a battery warmer.
• Anything that could drain your car's battery should be turned off, such as lights or accessories like chargers or heated seats.

If your car won't start because your battery is dead, you'll have to jump start it. This means getting out jumper cables and hooking it up to another power source such as another car or portable charger.

After you get the car started again, make sure you drive it around for at least 30 minutes to allow time for the alternator to recharge the battery.

If you can't jump start your car, call for roadside assistance.

Why do cars not start in the cold?

Cold weather affects the chemicals in your battery and can make it slow or hard to start, according to Boyce Auto Repair.

Low temperatures also cause oil in your car to thicken, which causes your car to move more slowly and pull more energy from the battery.

Beyond your battery, make sure the tire pressure is at the right level. An underinflated tire can make it hard for a vehicle to roll on the road.

Do cars use more gas when it's cold?

Yes, they do.

"Fuel economy tests show that, in city driving, a conventional gasoline car's gas mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20 degrees than it would be at 77 degrees. It can drop as much as 24% for short (3- to 4-mile) trips," the U.S. Department of Energy said.

Gasoline has a harder time vaporizing during cold weather. When the engine is cold the gasoline must be "richer," meaning more gas is injected into the engine to get it to run, according to Cars.com.

Driving your car for at least 30 minutes will allow the engine to reach its fuel-efficient temperature.

Why you should keep your gas tank full in winter

It's recommended during the winter and in cold temperatures to keep your gas tank at least halfway full.

The problem with cold air and your gasoline tank occurs when condensation forms, according KAL Tire. The cold air gets trapped in your gasoline tank and the gas helps keep the air cool.

Drops of water can begin to form along the walls of your gas tank, causing water to slide down into your gas or even freeze if it's cold enough.

The water droplets sink to the bottom of the tank of gas, which can cause corrosion of the gas tank (depending on the gas tank material) and engine. More gas means less room to create condensation and less water in your tank.

It also never hurts to have extra gas in your tank in case you break down out in the cold weather and you need to keep your car running so you can stay warm.