Freezing temperatures are blanketing the south and eastern seaboard. Of course accidents are way up, but there are other things to watch out for. So for a friendly reminder from your pals at MotorBiscuit, you may need to change some of your normal habits when temperatures are this low. Like, for instance, leaving that six-pack of Coke sitting in your car overnight. 

This is what the owner of this Ford Expedition discovered while piling in with her son. Yes, that brown slushy junk dripping on every surface in the Expedition is frozen Coke. Three full cans were left inside from the previous day. 

Why do soda cans explode in frozen weather?

Here’s the thing, when liquids freeze, they expand. Also, all sodas are under pressure. “Frozen soda can explosions are not due directly to water expanding as it freezes, but to the resulting pressure put on an isolated pocket of C02,” according to LiveScience.

But unlike water, when it dries. That makes it real sticky, and much more difficult to clean up than water. The same caution goes for beer. But hey, you knew that. 

In this case, the cans of soda were forgotten, until they weren’t. While this is probably obvious, there are other items besides canned drinks that shouldn’t be left in a freezing car. 

Cellphones

Both Apple and Samsung recommend not keeping cell phones in temperatures lower than negative-four degrees. They also advise not using them in below-freezing weather. This is because the Lithium-ion batteries will stop in cold environments. And if phones regularly see cold temperatures, it can cause permanent issues.

Music instruments in frozen weather

Because things contract when they get cold, instruments made from wood can crack in cold conditions. And repairs may not be possible. Should you leave your guitar or violin in a freezing car, gradually warm it up. That way, you may keep it from cracking.

Eggs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service says that eggs subjected to freezing “can be hard cooked successfully, but other uses may be limited. That’s because freezing causes the yolk to become thick and syrupy so it will not flow like an unfrozen yolk, or blend very well with the egg white or other ingredients.” It recommends not eating eggs with cracks in the shell.

Medication in frozen weather

“Drugs like insulin can lose their effectiveness if they freeze,” according to the New York Times. “The same goes for any so-called suspended medication that has to be shaken before use.” 

Low Fuel Tank

By keeping your fuel level up helps to prevent fuel lines from freezing. But even things like tire pressure are suspect in the freeze. “A temperature change of just 10 degrees can cause a 10% reduction, or constriction, of air in tires,” according to the Chicago Tribune. “So tire pressure can be affected from day to night temperature.”