Winter in Westchester means cold mornings, icy roads, and vehicles that get pushed harder than usual. A little prep now saves you from getting stranded later. Here is a checklist to work through before the temperature drops for good.
Test Your Battery Before the Cold Hits
Cold weather is hard on batteries, and a battery that struggles in fall can fail outright once temperatures drop further. Corrosion on the terminals, a slow crank, or dimming lights are all signs worth checking out early.
We offer free battery testing, so there is no reason to wait until you are stuck in a parking lot to find out where things stand. Check out our battery selection, including brands like Interstate and Optima.
Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid
Worn wiper blades struggle even more once snow and ice get involved, leaving streaks right when you need a clear view. Swap them out if they are chattering, skipping, or leaving streaks across the windshield.
Washer fluid matters too. A summer blend can freeze in your reservoir during a cold snap, so switch to a winter formula rated for lower temperatures, from brands like Splash and Rain-X.
Check Your Coolant
Coolant, or antifreeze, keeps your engine from freezing in extreme cold and overheating in warmer months. Check the level and condition before winter sets in, and top off with the right antifreeze, like Prestone, if it looks low or discolored.
A quick look at the reservoir only takes a minute and can prevent a much bigger problem once temperatures drop.
Tires for Winter Roads
Tread depth matters more in snow and ice than almost any other season. Worn tires lose grip fast on wet or icy pavement, so check your tread and tire pressure regularly, since cold air causes pressure to drop.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly and handle worse in slippery conditions, so keep an eye on your pressure through the season and top off as needed.
Lights and Visibility
Shorter days mean more driving in the dark, so working headlights, taillights, and turn signals matter even more. Check all your bulbs and clean off any foggy or yellowed headlight lenses so you can see and be seen clearly.
Build an Emergency Kit
A basic emergency kit can make a bad situation much more manageable. Pack a few essentials and keep them in your trunk through the season.
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Blanket or extra layers
- Ice scraper and small shovel
- Portable jump starter
A portable jump starter, like those from NOCO, is small enough to keep in your trunk year round and can be a real help on a freezing morning when a battery lets you down.
How DAS Auto Parts White Plains Can Help
We offer free battery, starter, and alternator testing, along with free check engine light scans and free wiper blade installation. Learn more about what is included with our free services.
We also carry more than 300 brands in stock, including Bosch, NOCO, Interstate, Rain-X, and Prestone, so you can get what you need for winter prep in one stop. Stop by 201 Tarrytown Road in White Plains, call 914-946-4880, or reach us through our contact page.