Gustavo woke up very early, long before the city showed any sign of movement. He remained still for a few seconds, eyes closed, trying to understand what felt wrong. It wasn’t anxiety or restlessness, but a subtle sense of misalignment, as if the morning had arrived out of sequence. The silence felt dense and unfamiliar, stripped of the background sounds that usually accompany dawn without being noticed. There was no distant breath of the sea, no constant undertone that, back in Livorno, makes even the earliest hours feel familiar.
The air in the room was dry, almost motionless. It didn’t circulate or respond to his breathing; it simply existed, cold and neutral. He could feel it on his skin and in his throat, a quiet reminder that the conditions outside these walls were different. Even the light filtering through the curtains seemed altered — not warm, not soft, but pale and even, with a milky tone, as if daylight had passed through ice before reaching the room.
Gustavo slowly sat up on the bed, listening to the stillness and to himself. He understood that this wasn’t about poor sleep or fatigue. The morning itself was unfamiliar. A morning without the sea, without humidity, without the gentle transition from night to day he was used to. Everything here felt sharper, stricter, more direct. And even before he stepped toward the window, it became clear that this awakening belonged not just to another city, but to an entirely different environment — one he was not yet ready for.
When he pulled the curtain aside, everything became clear at once.
Outside, winter had taken control.
The cars parked along the street looked as if the night had lingered on them longer than it should have. A thin layer of ice covered the bodywork, white patterns spread across the windows, and the asphalt had lost its shine, turning dull and almost inert. The entire street felt suspended — not damaged or abandoned, but deliberately paused, as if time itself had slowed down.
As Gustavo observed this stillness, the connection became clear. He hadn’t changed his life or moved anywhere; he was there only for a few days. Yet that was enough to understand that this morning followed different rules. Frost wasn’t just part of the weather — it was a physical presence. The thermometer showed minus fifteen degrees, and that number was visible everywhere: in the rigid surfaces, in the motionless air, in the dense silence surrounding the street.
In Livorno, winter had never been strict. Morning arrived gradually, with cooler air and an occasional sharp sea wind, but nothing absolute. Here, everything felt tighter, more concentrated. The −15 didn’t yet demand action, but it already explained the scene. It could be read in the ice on the windows, in the muted asphalt, and in the sense that every next movement would require more effort and awareness than usual.
First Contact With Real Cold
Stepping out onto the street, Gustavo felt the frost settle on him immediately, without any need to hurry or move faster. It wasn’t an aggressive or sudden cold, but a firm, steady one — the kind that doesn’t strike to shock, but to remain. The air felt heavier than usual, as if it offered slight resistance to every breath. As he approached the car, the cold seemed to pass even through his clothes. The bodywork, when he touched it, gave nothing back: it was rigid, unfamiliar, as though the metal had taken on a different nature overnight. Even the door handle carried the same sensation, pushing his hand away more through temperature than through force.
He opened the car and sat in the driver’s seat with an automatic, almost distracted movement. He slipped the key into the ignition without thinking, guided by habit. In that gesture, Livorno was still present — the routine of countless similar mornings, the quiet certainty that everything would work as it always had. There was no hurry, no doubt. Just the intact assumption that this single action would be enough.
He turned it.
The sound was wrong from the very first moment. There was no continuity, no confidence in it. The starter motor turned slowly, with visible effort, as if the engine itself were quietly pushing back. It wasn’t a clear refusal, more a strained response, held back. Then came a single, dry click, and immediately after that, silence. A silence different from the one outside on the street — shorter, tighter, loaded with expectation.
Gustavo tried again, almost automatically. Once more, and then again. Each attempt felt weaker than the last, as if the car were gradually running out of its ability to respond at all. There were no strange noises, no signs of sudden failure. The car wasn’t breaking down. It was simply stopping, choosing not to go any further.
It was in that moment that Gustavo understood something fundamental. Frost wasn’t just a matter of numbers on a thermometer. It wasn’t a temporary inconvenience or a seasonal detail. It was a context. An environment that changes the rules, alters reactions, and redraws limits. In that cold, even the most familiar mechanisms no longer behaved as expected.
Waiting for the Tow Truck
After a few useless attempts, Gustavo stopped. He didn’t realize it immediately, but at the moment his breath began turning into thick vapor and his fingers started to lose sensation, as if the cold were slowly cutting them off from his body. He took out his phone without irritation, almost calmly, and called a tow truck. Then he stepped back outside and stood next to the motionless car. In that kind of cold, waiting feels different: time stretches, slows down, becomes heavy. Every minute feels longer than the last, and the emptiness between moments weighs more than the cold itself.
It was during that waiting that a real understanding began to take shape. Not abstract, not drawn from advice or manuals, but physical and immediate. Gustavo started to clearly see what cold does to a car: how it drains energy from the battery, stiffens metal, alters the behavior of mechanisms, forcing them to operate under different rules. He understood that frost isn’t a sudden breakdown or a coincidence. It’s a condition. An environment in which a car exists differently. And to grasp that, explanations weren’t necessary — standing there and waiting was enough.
Gradually, his thoughts began to connect. He replayed the morning in his head, step by step, trying to understand what had happened and why everything had stopped working as he was used to. When the tow truck arrived and the car was loaded, there was finally a sense of movement, as if the situation had begun to shift. On the way to the repair shop, the driver started explaining, without lectures or urgency, what happens to cars in winter: how cold reduces battery charge, how oil thickens, how metal contracts and components begin to behave differently.
As the tow truck moved slowly toward the garage, the explanation continued. The driver spoke calmly, almost routinely, as if he had been telling the same story for years. He said that in winter cars follow clear patterns, and that most failures fall into the same limited set of causes. They aren’t random and they don’t depend on bad luck. In the end, he added that these causes are few and return every season. That, according to him, is where the real explanation begins — with the ten main winter problems that affect cars time and again, and that Gustavo had unexpectedly encountered that morning.
1. You need to understand that cold is a system
One of the most common mistakes made by people used to mild climates is treating cold weather as a temporary inconvenience. It feels like an isolated event, a particularly harsh morning that just needs to be endured. But for those who live in mountainous areas or regions with a stable winter, cold is not an episode — it is a constant condition that defines how everything operates.
In this environment, a car does not “suffer” from the cold in a random way. It is engineered to withstand low temperatures, but only if cold is understood as a system. It affects the battery, oil, metal, rubber, and electronics at the same time. These are not separate issues, but interconnected processes.
That is why the most logical solution is not to react to emergencies as they appear, but to adapt to the environment. A heated garage or an enclosed warm space becomes part of the system itself. In a controlled temperature, the car returns to normal operating conditions, and cold stops being a destructive force and becomes simply an external variable.
2. Battery: the weak point of winter
The battery is almost always the first component to give in to cold. At temperatures around −15, its actual capacity can drop by 40–50%. This doesn’t happen because the battery is faulty or worn out, but due to basic physics: in cold conditions, the chemical reactions inside the battery slow down significantly, reducing the amount of energy it can deliver. From the outside, the battery may appear perfectly fine, yet its performance in winter is severely limited.
The issue becomes more pronounced because winter is precisely when the car demands more energy during startup. A cold engine creates higher resistance, the oil thickens, and the starter motor has to work harder and longer. This creates a clear imbalance: energy demand increases while the battery’s ability to supply it decreases. A battery that started the engine effortlessly in summer can suddenly become the system’s weakest link in winter.
In cold climates, this makes the battery’s starting characteristics critically important. A battery with high cold cranking power and sufficient reserve capacity can offset the losses caused by low temperatures and deliver the energy the engine needs. In winter, this reserve is not excessive — it is a normal requirement, without which a morning start can easily turn into a series of failed attempts and, eventually, silence.
3. Engine Oil and Cold Start
For an engine, a cold start is the most stressful moment of its entire operating life. As temperatures drop, engine oil thickens and loses fluidity. Even high-quality synthetic oils, designed to perform across a wide temperature range, behave differently in severe cold. At that moment, the engine faces increased resistance and operates under less than ideal conditions.
In the first seconds after startup, oil takes longer to reach all moving components. Until full lubrication is established, metal surfaces move against each other with minimal protection. It is during this short but recurring phase that most engine wear occurs. The process is quiet and gradual, causing no immediate failures, yet it accumulates over time.
A single cold start will not destroy an engine. However, hundreds of such starts over the years slowly shorten its service life. For this reason, in cold climates it is essential to use engine oil with the correct winter viscosity and to avoid placing heavy loads on the engine immediately after startup. Proper oil selection and a gentle warm-up phase help reduce wear and make cold starts significantly less harmful to the engine.
4. Starter Motor: extreme effort
In winter, the starter motor operates constantly at the limit of its capabilities. During startup it must overcome the resistance of cold, thickened oil and mechanical components stiffened by freezing temperatures — a far greater effort than under normal conditions. If the battery has already been weakened by the cold, the starter receives less current and compensates by running longer and under heavier load.
The situation quickly worsens when the engine does not start on the first attempt. Repeated tries only increase the strain: the starter motor overheats, internal wear accelerates, and brushes and windings are subjected to excessive stress. Each additional attempt may seem harmless, but in reality it significantly shortens the component’s lifespan.
In cold climates, the starter motor does not need force, but proper conditions. A healthy battery with sufficient cranking power, clean electrical connections, and the discipline to stop after a few attempts are crucial to preserving its functionality. When the engine fails to start, continuing to crank only causes damage — allowing time for recovery, warmth, and proper power supply is what truly protects the starter from serious failure.
5. Fuel system and cold conditions
In cold weather, fuel also stops being a neutral element and begins to change its behavior. Temperature affects not only mechanical components, but the combustion process itself, which directly determines whether an engine will start. This is why many winter starting issues are not caused by mechanical failures, but by how fuel reacts to freezing conditions.
In gasoline engines, low temperatures reduce the efficiency of fuel evaporation. The air-fuel mixture becomes less stable, ignition is more difficult, and starting requires more precise conditions. The engine may attempt to fire without fully starting, creating the impression of a random fault, when in reality the cold is the main factor.
In diesel engines, the problem is even more severe. Diesel fuel can gel, thicken, and form wax crystals that clog the fuel filter. Under these conditions, fuel simply does not reach the engine properly, making startup physically impossible. For Gustavo, this was an unexpected realization: in Livorno, fuel had always felt “reliable.” Here, it too was affected by winter conditions.
As a result, in cold climates gasoline engines tend to be less vulnerable. They tolerate low temperatures better and are not as critically dependent on seasonal fuel behavior as diesel engines. Using high-quality fuel and, when possible, a sheltered or warm environment helps reduce risks, but the key point remains: in winter, fuel type matters — and gasoline proves to be noticeably more reliable.
6. Gearbox and transmission
The transmission is just as sensitive to cold as the engine. As temperatures drop, the oil inside both manual and automatic gearboxes thickens and loses fluidity. This causes internal movements to slow down and require more effort. It is not a malfunction or a defect, but a normal reaction of the transmission to winter conditions.
In vehicles with manual transmissions, this typically appears as stiff gear changes, especially during the first minutes of driving. Gears may engage with resistance and feel less precise. In automatic transmissions, cold conditions can lead to delayed shifts, minor jerks, and uneven responses until the oil warms up. The car still operates, but everything happens under increased strain.
Under these circumstances, adapting driving behavior to the environment becomes essential. Using transmission oil with the correct winter viscosity helps reduce stress on internal components. Driving gently during the first kilometers allows the oil to warm up gradually and restore proper operating characteristics. In cold climates, this is not an optional precaution, but a necessary condition for preserving the transmission and maintaining smooth, reliable operation over time.
7. Rubber, plastic, and loss of elasticity
Frost makes rigid everything that is meant to remain elastic by nature. In cold conditions, hoses, seals, bellows, bushings, door gaskets, and various plastic components quickly lose flexibility. Parts that in summer easily absorb vibrations and movement begin to stiffen in winter and resist stress. The material stops “working” with the system and starts taking the load directly.
Over time, this leads to real damage. Weakened areas cannot withstand temperature changes, and microcracks that were invisible in warm weather open up in the cold. Squeaks, play, leaks, and unusual noises appear. These issues often seem sudden, when in reality they developed gradually and were simply accelerated by low temperatures.
In practice, the solution is straightforward and well known. Rubber and plastic components are treated with protective products. Silicone-based lubricants, either sprays or applied products, are most commonly used for seals, hoses, and exposed rubber parts. In simpler cases, glycerin can also be effective. These substances create a protective layer, reduce drying and friction, and help rubber retain elasticity even in freezing temperatures. In winter, this is not cosmetic care but a basic technical measure that extends the life of components and prevents problems that would otherwise appear as unexpected failures.
8. Braking system in low temperatures
In winter, the braking system is also directly affected by cold conditions. Moisture combined with subzero temperatures can cause brake pads to stick to the brake discs overnight, especially after driving on wet, snowy, or salted roads. The parking brake is particularly vulnerable: condensation inside the cables can freeze, making them stiff and sometimes locking them completely.
As a result, the first braking actions on a winter morning often feel uneven or sharper than usual. The pedal may feel hard or respond abruptly. This does not indicate a failure, but rather the system reacting to environmental conditions. Even safety systems, though designed with significant tolerances, are not immune to the effects of cold.
In practice, the correct approach is well established. During winter, it is advisable to avoid leaving the car parked for long periods with the parking brake engaged, especially after exposure to moisture; when possible, a gear or the “P” position should be used instead. Regular maintenance of brake components and inspection of parking brake cables help reduce the risk of freezing. During the first moments of driving, braking should be gentle, allowing the system to gradually return to normal operation. Cold does not make brakes weaker — it simply demands more attentive handling.
9. Electronics and condensation
Modern cars are heavily packed with electronics. In winter, however, the main issue is not the cold itself, but sudden temperature changes. When a vehicle moves from freezing overnight conditions to engine warm-up or a warmer environment, condensation can form inside the systems. Moisture may collect in connectors, sensors, and electronic control units — places where it is not meant to be.
This often leads to temporary malfunctions. Warning lights may turn on without a clear reason, error messages can appear and disappear on their own, and assistance systems, cameras, or infotainment may behave unpredictably. In most cases, these are not actual failures but reactions of electronics to unstable operating conditions.
Managing this issue is largely preventive. Clean and dry connectors, intact seals, and properly protected wiring significantly reduce the risk of condensation. When possible, avoiding abrupt transitions from extreme cold to high temperatures helps electronic systems stabilize. In winter, many electronic warnings are not signs of serious damage — they simply indicate that complex systems need time to adapt to harsher conditions.
10. Tire pressure, road grip, and body corrosion
Cold temperatures have a direct effect on tire pressure. As the temperature drops, pressure decreases by approximately 0.1–0.2 bar for every 10 degrees. This means that even well-maintained and recently inflated tires can become underinflated in winter. As a result, road grip is reduced, tire wear increases, and vehicle stability deteriorates. On cold or icy surfaces this is especially dangerous: tire response becomes less precise and braking distances increase. Winter does not forgive poor contact with the road — even a small deviation from correct pressure can play a critical role.
For this reason, during the cold season tire pressure requires regular monitoring. Checks should be performed on cold tires, not after driving. Maintaining the manufacturer’s recommended pressure is not a formality, but a basic safety requirement. Proper winter tires with correct pressure provide predictable vehicle behavior exactly where mistakes are least forgiving.
Another major winter issue is the condition of the vehicle’s bodywork. Road salt and chemical de-icers act as a quiet but constant enemy. They accelerate corrosion, especially in hidden areas such as wheel arches, door edges, and underbody cavities. Cold itself does not cause metal to rust, but combined with moisture and salt it creates ideal conditions for protective layers to break down. That is why, in winter, car washing should not be postponed. Stopping by a car wash in the evening, particularly one that includes underbody and wheel-arch cleaning, helps remove salt before it begins to work. This is not about appearance, but a practical step that significantly reduces corrosion problems that are formed precisely during the winter months.
The psychology of cold
Cold affects not only the vehicle, but also the driver. It reduces patience, increases inner tension, and encourages haste. In freezing conditions, any waiting feels heavier, and the urge to “fix it immediately” becomes persistent. It is in this state that drivers often act impulsively, without clearly assessing the consequences.
This behavior almost always makes the situation worse. Repeated attempts to start the engine further drain the battery, overload the starter motor, and give systems no time to adapt. Cold does not respond to pressure — it demands pauses, sequence, and understanding of the situation.
This is the core of winter psychology. It is essential to stop, slow down, and accept that sometimes the right choice is not effort, but waiting or seeking help. Cold is an environment with its own rules, and the driver, like the car, must adapt to them. At this point, the list of winter problems comes to an end, giving way to a broader understanding of how to live and drive in winter without fighting conditions, but by accepting them.
The tow truck as a rational choice
When the tow truck delivered the car to the repair shop, Gustavo felt neither shame nor disappointment. The conversation with the driver had put everything into perspective. He understood a simple truth: in winter, calling a tow truck is not a defeat, but a technically sound decision. Taking the car to a workshop means protecting expensive components, avoiding a completely drained battery, sparing the starter motor, and preventing a temporary issue from turning into a chain of failures.
Gustavo arrived in Trento with experience gained in Livorno. He believed that was enough. But that morning at −15 degrees proved otherwise. He realized that what works in a mild climate does not always apply where cold is not an exception, but a constant condition.
Cold does not break in, does not warn, and makes no sound.
It observes, waits, and tests.
