Video: Driving Smart: Is El Niño Your Car's Amigo?

01:23 min

By Cars.com Editors

March 17, 2016

You've heard of El Niño. Well, it's brought a mild winter to much of the U.S. this year. But beyond easing your seasonal effective disorder, you may find that El Niño is your car's amigo. Here are the reasons why.

Reason number one: why is this good for you? El Niño is a band of warm water in the Pacific that disrupts normal weather patterns. For Northern and Midwestern residents that means a warmer, drier winter. But even in Sunbelt states, such as California and Texas, where El Niño should've caused a cooler, wetter winter, this year's winter defied expectations. Reason number two: why is this good for your car's longevity? Less snow and ice means less salt. Less corrosive road salt means less rust on your car. It also means less wheel-swallowing potholes and battery-sapping sub-zero temperatures. El Niño is like a beach vacation for your car. Reason number three: why is this good for your budget? Replacing damaged tires can cost up to $725. Wiper blades, $65. Brake rotors, $400 and car batteries, $110. A warmer, drier winter means you'll spend less to maintain your car. Keep your car running with regular maintenance. It's the best safeguard against extreme weather. Putting off that maintenance is about as safe a gamble as, well, betting on the weather. For cars.com, I'm Matt Schmitz.