Skip To Content

Best Auto Repair, Syracuse

416 E Brighton Ave Syracuse, NY 13210

315-478-2161
Opening Hours
  • Mon 8:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Tue 8:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Wed 8:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Thu 8:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Fri 8:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed
CONTACT US

Relax When the Wind Blows in NY: Winter Car Prep for Syracuse Drivers

Posted October 4, 2020 11:07 AM

When autumn comes around in Syracuse, leaves fall, nights get longer and there's a definite nip in the air. Time to unpack the boots and gloves and fold some extra blankets onto the beds. It's also time for Syracuse drivers to winterize their vehicles.

Here is some expert auto advice for Syracuse drivers on what vehicles need to keep everyone safe and rolling throughout the NY winter months.

1. Check your antifreeze. Top it off or change it if necessary. You don't want your radiator, engine or hoses freezing up. If your vehicle isn't generating enough heat to keep you warm, your antifreeze might be low, or you might have a thermostat problem. Either way, you should get it checked out before the full force of NY winter sets in. If you are due for a cooling system service at S T Foreign Auto Service in Syracuse, get that done as well.

2. Check your brakes. The slushy wet conditions of winter increase stopping distances. Ice exacerbates the problem. Your first concern, of course, is to make sure you adapt your driving habits to winter weather: slow down, and give yourself plenty of room to stop. Get your brakes checked at S T Foreign Auto Service and replace any worn pads or other parts. Check your brake fluid. It can accumulate moisture and decrease your stopping power.

3. Test your battery. A battery's cranking power drops in the cold, so if your battery is already weak, the onset of winter will do it in. The last thing you want is to be on a snowy NY road in the dark and cold with a dead battery.

4. Pack emergency supplies. Toss a blanket into the trunk. If you do find yourself stranded, your first concern will be to stay warm. If you're traveling away from NY population centers, then pack some emergency food and water as well. Also, it's a good idea to top off your tank in winter. That way, if you get stuck, you'll have some fuel to burn to stay warm, and it'll keep your gas lines from freezing up.

5. Check your wiper blades. They may be able to handle a light Syracuse summer rain shower, but they might not be up to the ice and snow that collect on a windshield in winter. If you experience particularly harsh winters or really wet ones, you can purchase special blades that resist freezing. And don't forget to top off your wiper fluid.

6. Check your tires. Tires lose pressure over time, but they lose pressure fast when it's cold outside in Syracuse. Tires lose about one pound of pressure every six to eight weeks; they also lose one pound of pressure for every 10°F/5.6°C drop in temperature. If the last time you checked your tires it was 80°F/26.7°C outside and it's 40°F/4.4°C now, your tires could be down five pounds in pressure — and that's serious. It's a safety issue and cuts down on your fuel economy.

7. Driving conditions in the Syracuse area may warrant special winter tires. Check with your friendly and knowledgeable S T Foreign Auto Service tire professional to get the right tires for your area and for your driving habits. If you are getting winter tires, it's always best to get them for all four wheels. But if you're only going to get two, put them on the rear wheels, even if you drive a front-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle. Traction is more important on the rear of a vehicle if you want to prevent sliding or fish-tailing on slick surfaces.

So there you have it: a quick checklist to winterize your car in NY. When it comes to car care, preventive maintenance is always the best practice for Syracuse drivers, especially when it comes to winter weather. None of us want to be caught out in the winter cold.

S T Foreign Auto Service
415 E Brighton Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-478-2161
http://www.stforeignauto.com



Search



Archive

March 2017 (18)
April 2017 (5)
May 2017 (4)
June 2017 (4)
July 2017 (5)
August 2017 (3)
September 2017 (3)
October 2017 (5)
November 2017 (4)
December 2017 (2)
January 2018 (5)
February 2018 (4)
March 2018 (4)
April 2018 (5)
May 2018 (4)
June 2018 (4)
July 2018 (5)
August 2018 (4)
September 2018 (5)
October 2018 (4)
November 2018 (4)
December 2018 (5)
January 2019 (5)
February 2019 (4)
March 2019 (5)
April 2019 (4)
May 2019 (4)
June 2019 (5)
July 2019 (4)
August 2019 (4)
September 2019 (5)
October 2019 (4)
November 2019 (4)
December 2019 (5)
January 2020 (5)
February 2020 (4)
March 2020 (5)
April 2020 (4)
May 2020 (5)
June 2020 (4)
July 2020 (4)
August 2020 (5)
September 2020 (4)
October 2020 (4)
November 2020 (5)
December 2020 (4)
January 2021 (6)
February 2021 (4)
March 2021 (4)
April 2021 (4)
May 2021 (5)
June 2021 (4)
July 2021 (4)
August 2021 (5)
September 2021 (4)
October 2021 (5)
November 2021 (4)
December 2021 (4)
January 2022 (6)
February 2022 (4)
March 2022 (4)
April 2022 (4)
May 2022 (5)
June 2022 (4)
July 2022 (5)
August 2022 (4)
September 2022 (4)
October 2022 (5)
November 2022 (4)
December 2022 (4)
January 2023 (5)
February 2023 (4)
March 2023 (4)
April 2023 (5)
May 2023 (4)
June 2023 (4)
July 2023 (5)
August 2023 (4)
September 2023 (4)
October 2023 (5)
November 2023 (4)
December 2023 (5)
January 2024 (5)
February 2024 (4)
March 2024 (4)

Categories

Air Conditioning (10)Alignment (10)Alternator (4)Auto Safety (6)Automotive News (6)Battery (11)Brakes (11)Cabin Air Filter (6)Check Engine Light (2)Cooling System (12)Customer Detective Work (1)Dashboard (2)Diagnostics (4)Diesel Maintenance (1)Differential Service (3)Drive Train (6)Emergency Items (1)Engine Air Filter (2)Exhaust (8)Fluids (12)Fuel Economy (7)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (2)Fuel System (32)Headlamps (3)Inspection (4)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (4)Maintenance (43)Monitoring System (2)Oil Change (1)Older Vehicles (4)Parts (7)PCV Valve (1)Safe Driving (1)Safety (6)Serpentine Belt (6)Service Intervals (8)Service Standards (7)Shocks & Struts (5)Spark Plugs (1)Steering (8)Suspension (3)Timing Belt (5)Tire Rotation and Balancing (1)Tires (6)Tires and Wheels (33)Transmission (7)Trip Inspection (2)What Customers Should Know (42)Windshield Wipers (6)Winter Prep (5)Winter Tires (1)
  • ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
  • ASE Master Technician
  • Car Care Aware

Testimonials

Knowledgeable techs that pay attention to detail at a very convenient location.
view all reviews
TAP TO CALL NOW 315-478-2161 X