Winter in New York

It feels like we were just cranking up the air conditioner and parking in the shade to keep out the sweltering heat of summer, but winter in New York will be here before you know it! Winter brings a unique set of challenges for drivers, particularly in areas like New York that get a lot of snow, ice, and inclement weather. The service team at Land Rover Manhattan is here to help you prepare for the colder months, with a guide to how to drive in snow and a few myths busted about driving in winter. Check it out, and feel free to contact us with any questions!

When Does Winter Start in New York?

If you want to be really technical, the winter season doesn’t start until the winter solstice on December 21st. Most people don’t like to get this literal, though! Chances are that Fort Lee drivers will be feeling the cold long before the holidays. The weather usually starts to cool off around late September and into October, with the cold setting in by Thanksgiving at the latest. November can be a tricky month on the east coast, sometimes being unseasonably warm and sometimes bringing snow and ice well ahead of schedule. If you start to prepare for winter—for example, by starting to keep ice scrapers, blankets, and extra batteries in your car—by early November, you should be fine.

How to Drive in Snow

While driving under snow conditions in the city versus the country or suburbs is a bit different, there are some common driving tips you can take advantage of no matter where you live in Englewood and beyond! The most important thing you should remember is to drive smoothly and keep a close watch ahead of you at all times. Take it easy on the brake and accelerator, since jerking your vehicle around sharply can cause you to lose control on snowy or icy roads.

If you do end up skidding on the road—it happens to everyone eventually—the last thing you want to do is hammer on the brake. Instead, take your foot off the gas right away and gently re-aim the car back in the direction you want to go. If it’s your rear wheels that are skidding, be sure to turn the steering wheel in the direction of the wheels before running back to the original direction.

You should also get winter-specific tires for your car, that are specifically designed for inclement weather and potentially hazardous road conditions. If you reach out to our service center, we can recommend the best winter tires for your vehicle.

Five Myths About Driving in Winter

• Four-wheel drive is better: Some drivers feel confident enough in their four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive that they let their focus down when driving. These drivetrains do help you get through snowy and icy conditions better, but they don’t do anything to help you stop or navigate around tight corners.
• Let a car idle for a long time to warm it up: Thanks to modern technology, vehicles no longer have to idle for a long time to warm them up and get them working more efficiently. Letting your vehicle idle for an extended period of time just ends up generating more carbon monoxide, which can be fatal if you’re inside. Just let your car sit for 10-15 seconds and you’ll be good to go!
• Mix and match winter tires with all-season tires: While it might seem like a good idea to use a mix of all-season and winter-specific tires to get the best of both worlds, this will actually lower the effectiveness of your tires. You need to be using tires that are all the same size and tread for maximum safety.
• Don’t wash your car in the winter months: It’s true that ice, snow, and debris mean your car will be getting a lot dirtier in the colder months, but that isn’t an excuse not to wash it! You want to be regularly cleaning it to get rid of the ice, salt, sand, and other particulates before they cause serious damage to your vehicle’s exterior.
• Keep your tires under-inflated: Some drivers think that under-inflated tires and their low PSI will handle better on snowy roads, but this isn’t the case at all. You should always keep your tires at the proper level of inflation to maximize your safety.

Keep Your Car in Top Condition with Land Rover Manhattan!

If you want a member of our team to inspect your car and see if it’s winter-ready, you can schedule an appointment on our website! We’ll take care of everything and get you back on the The Bronx roads in no time. Feel free to check out our service specials if you’re interested in saving on your appointment.