Winter Weather in New York is Inevitable. Read These Tips to Best Prepare Your Vehicle for Slippery Conditions.
If you’ve experienced a winter in the northeast,
then you know how challenging driving can be. Between black ice, slush, snow
flurries and blizzards, there is much to be alert to while hitting the road
during the winter. Being prepared for anything is key, and this preparation should
start early in the fall.
Here are a few things
you might want to consider to get your vehicle prepared for a tough New York winter:
Have Your Vehicle’s Battery Tested
A car that won’t start
is one story, but a car that won’t start in the winter is a completely
different story. Have your vehicle’s battery tested early-on to ensure you
aren’t stranded with an inoperable vehicle in below freezing conditions. If possible, charge your battery often during cold weather for added
precaution. Not sure how to jumpstart your vehicle? Click
here.
Consider Having Your Vehicle Undercoated.
While the salt used on New York roads is
necessary to keep us safe by meltingice, it is especially tough on our vehicles. Having your
vehicle undercoated each season can lessen the damages caused by salt and
result in a longer lasting and better working vehicle during and after the
winter weather.
Upgrade
to Winter Tires
As someone wise once said, the only thing
between you and the road is your tires. Good tires
can make a dramatic difference in safe travel on snow and ice-covered roads.
Consider changing out your tires for studded or snow tires that are designed to
handle winter conditions much better than standard tires. PRO TIP: buy rims for
your snow tires and avoid an additional fee for placing the tires on your
standard rims each year. To learn more about winter tires, click
here.
Check the Capability of Your Vehicle’s Heating System
You don’t want to be without your vehicle’s
heating system, especially in the dead of winter. You’ll
thank yourself in the end when you have a technician look over your heating system and resolve any issues before the winter weather
starts.
Restock and Load Your Winter Safety Kit
Having a snow brush,
small shovel, gloves, hat, and hand warmers are all crucial items to add to
your standard vehicle safety kit during this time of year.
For a complete list of items to keep in your vehicle’s winter safety kit, click
here.
Check
and Swap Fluids
Thankfully there are
plenty of fluids designed specifically for winter weather. Antifreeze and
windshield washer fluid are two you will definitely want to ensure are full for
the upcoming winter, and also plan to have extra on hand for when you run out.
Driving in a NY winter is challenging to say
the least — but being prepared ahead of time makes all the difference. Adequate
tires, proper fluids, heat and a stocked safety kit are essential while driving
during this time of year.