Driving Your Land Rover in Extreme Weather: Advice for Land Rover Owners in Kelowna

Living in Kelowna, we are no strangers to extreme weather conditions. Whether it's navigating snowy mountain roads, enduring the summer heat, or dealing with icy conditions, these challenging climates can put an additional strain on our vehicles. As Land Rover enthusiasts, understanding how extreme weather impacts our cars and adjusting our maintenance routines accordingly is crucial to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

What is Extreme Weather Driving?

Extreme weather driving refers to operating your vehicle in conditions that place greater-than-normal demands on its systems. This includes:

1. Mountainous Terrain: Navigating steep inclines and declines.
2. Snow and Ice: Cold temperatures that can affect tire traction and engine performance, driveline load and accelerate wear on components
3. Extreme Heat: High temperatures that can cause components to overheat and fluids to evaporate more quickly.
4. Smoke from forest fires can plug air and cabin filters and give a smoky odor in cabin

Can Extreme Weather Conditions Impact Your Vehicle?

These harsh conditions can lead to increased wear and tear on your Land Rover and affect the performance of your vehicle. For instance, driving in snow and ice requires more from your tires and brakes, while extreme heat can cause fluids to break down faster. The additional strain can cause fluids and other wear items to degrade more rapidly than under normal conditions.

Factory Recommendations vs. Real-World Conditions

Factory maintenance recommendations are typically based on ideal driving conditions. However, the reality of driving in Kelowna’s various climates means that these recommendations might not always be sufficient. Adjusting your service intervals to reflect our local conditions can help keep your vehicle running smoothly. To maintain your Land Rover’s performance, it’s essential to adapt your service schedule based on the driving conditions you encounter. Regularly changing your engine oil and performing maintenance can help reduce the risk of breakdowns and component failures.

Understanding Oil Breakdown in Extreme Weather

Oil naturally degrades over time, but extreme weather accelerates this process. Oil viscosity can break down, losing its ability to lubricate engine components effectively. This leads to increased friction, heat, and potential premature failure of internal engine parts, resulting in costly repairs.

Preventive Maintenance for Longevity

To avoid these issues, it’s crucial to follow a more rigorous maintenance schedule in extreme weather conditions. Regular oil changes and thorough check-ups can prevent premature engine failure and ensure your Land Rover remains reliable, even in the harshest climates. To support this, Land Rover Kelowna provides our dealer-recommended service intervals to be every 12,000 kilometers.

Conclusion

In Kelowna’s extreme weather, maintaining your Land Rover is crucial. Adjust your service schedule to prevent breakdowns and ensure peak performance. At Land Rover Kelowna, we’re here to help—contact us to schedule your next service and keep your vehicle running smoothly year-round.