Top 4 Ways to Prepare Your Vehicle for the Winter

As New Yorkers we know a bad winter when they see one, and preparing cars for the weather is part of the holiday spirit. Just because they’re cars doesn’t mean they don’t deserve good things, after all! So, to get everyone in the holiday spirit, we have compiled a list of four things you can do to deck out your beloved car in winter garb!

1. Fill Up on Washer Fluid

At Auto Lux we recommend you frequently fill the fluid in your windshield wipers. A single snowstorm can wipe out your entire washer fluid, so it's important to keep a supply of winter-specific windshield wiper fluid at hand. Add a bottle of washer fluid antifreeze to the reservoir if you are unclear if your washer fluid is the proper formula for low temperatures. It's sold at nearly any local NY retailer that sells auto parts.

2. Keep an Eye on Your Battery

The cold has a nasty habit of eating away at battery life, and this goes for your car battery as well. There will be a natural decrease in your battery's cranking capacity when the temperature drops. To be sure your automobile will start, check the battery, cables, fluid, and terminals. If you suspect a faulty battery, check the terminal connections and then head to the auto parts store.

3. Make Sure Your Tires Have Pressure

Not only might your tires become less effective in colder weather, but the road itself can become more dangerous. A decrease of one pound per square inch (psi) in tire pressure occurs for every 10 degrees in temperature (Fahrenheit). If your vehicle doesn't have a tire pressure monitoring system that displays the pressure in each tire, you should always have the gauge on hand.

The best option is to equip your car with a portable air compressor that can be powered from a 12-volt outlet in the event that you need to inflate a tire. Depending on the model, you may be able to set a desired final psi for the tire, at which point the compressor will automatically turn off.

4. Get a Set of Winter Tires

Icy and sleety conditions in the winter make driving hazardous. Below 44.7 degrees Fahrenheit, all-season or summer tires become hard and lose grip. The appropriate tires may make a tremendous difference in the icy conditions of winter.

Winter tires should not be installed alongside summer tires or vice versa. When equipped with four winter tires, a vehicle's handling, grip, and stopping distance in snow and ice can be improved a lot.

If you must drive on uneven terrain, studded tires are a must. Studded tires are helpful in icy mountain regions and "off the beaten path" travel.

With winter upon us, it is high time to get your car all kitted out if you haven’t already done it. If you want a winterized car, though, we got you covered! New York Auto Lux offers cars of all kinds, so call us today at (516) 673-4784.