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New York’s harsh winter conditions can turn your trusty Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) vehicle into a problem if you don’t prepare it correctly. As the mercury drops around Cortlandt, your vehicle faces challenges. Ensuring your ride is winter-ready protects both your wallet and family when road conditions worsen during the harsh driving months ahead. Our team at Bill Volz Westchester CDJR has compiled this comprehensive guide to winter vehicle preparation in the mid-Hudson Valley. more How To Prepare Your CDJR Vehicle for Winter: Maintenance and Care Tips The statistics are eye-opening. According to the Department of Transportation, weather causes approximately 12% (744,911) of all vehicle crashes yearly. Winter-related road accidents account for an average of 11% (268,239) of injuries and 9% (3,807) of fatalities. Cold temperatures affect everything because chemical reactions slow down, causing your battery to struggle; engine oil thickens and fights against your starter motor, while tire pressure drops with every temperature dip, decreasing grip on slick roads. Because these issues can occur overnight, taking action before the first snowfall saves you problems. Battery Performance and Cold Weather Readiness At 0 degrees F, your battery has only half the cranking power it has at 80 degrees F. Cold temperatures make your engine oil thick, forcing the starter to work harder while drawing power from a temperature-weakened battery. Most batteries last three to five years, but winter quickly exposes any weaknesses. Slow cranking, dim headlights, and dashboard warning lights need to be addressed urgently because cold weather will quickly push your battery over the edge. Get your battery checked before winter to ensure it works when you need it. Tire Safety and Winter Traction When winterizing, truck and car tires should be at the top of your list. For every 10-degree F temperature drop, tire pressure decreases by up to 2 psi. Underinflated tires increase the risk of hydroplaning and can make stopping distances 15% longer. Minimal tread on soft tires causes more road contact and allows water to build up between the tire and road, causing traction loss. Winter tires have proven to be better than all-season tires on ice and snow, and vehicles with both all-wheel drive (AWD)and winter tires stop faster than vehicles with AWD alone. Engine Fluids and Cooling System Winterization Engine oil thickens in cold weather, reducing engine protection and putting stress on it during startup. Multi-viscosity oils such as 0W-20 or 5W-30 are the best for reliable winter starts. The W indicates winter, and the numbers indicate the rates at which the oil flows in cold temperatures — the lower the number, the better the cold performance. Your cooling system prevents freeze damage while maintaining proper temperatures during operation. A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water protects down to minus 34 degrees F, but if you’re in a colder area, you’ll need to adjust the ratio to 60/40 or 70/30. Your cooling system also prevents overheating by managing heat transfer, so year-round maintenance is crucial. Critical Safety Systems for Winter Driving Winter puts stress on safety systems, with most accidents happening on wet, icy roads. Brakes are vital — jamming them leads to more crashes in winter. Properly working brakes can mean the difference between a close call and disaster. Poor visibility causes many winter accidents. Short winter days make your headlights work overtime, while snow and road gunk cut visibility even during daylight. Dirty headlight lenses can cut light output by 40%, so regular wipe-downs can prevent compromised lighting. Wiper blades are generally replaced every year, but they wear out quickly in harsh winter conditions, which requires them to be changed more frequently. Remember to refill your washer fluid with a winter-grade solution that stays liquid and cuts through road salt film. Protecting Your CDJR Vehicle from Winter Damage In winter, salt and water cause excessive damage to your vehicle — consider applying a protective coating before the cold weather hits. Winter damage can be expensive, with surface rust repair running at $50-$200, scale rust at $200-$1,000, and structural repairs in excess of $4,000. Rust buildup can knock 10% to 40% off your car’s resale value. Cold temperatures make rubber parts such as drive belts, hoses, and wiper blades brittle, causing them to fail unexpectedly. Salt penetrates coatings and components, causing corrosion, particularly in the undercarriage. Washing and rinsing your vehicle frequently will remove salt before it has time to damage anything. Wet boots and winter clothing bring moisture and salt into your car that damage upholstery and electronics. All-weather floor mats trap gunk while protecting your carpeting. Whenever possible, park in a garage to avoid exposure to extreme weather. Emergency Preparedness and Winter Driving Kit Even well-maintained vehicles can cause trouble, and an emergency kit is cheap insurance. You’ll need basics such as blankets for warmth, a flashlight for when it gets dark, and jumper cables for battery issues. A small shovel will help you dig out of snow, cat litter or sand improves traction, and an ice scraper clears windows. First aid supplies, flares, and a phone charger are also crucial. Be prepared in case you’re stuck for hours — pack water, at least a gallon per person for 24 hours, and snacks such as energy bars or trail mix. Add a rain poncho and extra clothing in case it rains. CDJR-Specific Winter Accessories Your CDJR vehicle comes with built-in winter-fighting features. AWD systems, high ground clearance, and smart traction control give you an edge on snow and ice that many other vehicles can’t match. The AWD system helps you tackle nasty situations with confidence, heated seats keep you warm, and remote start allows you to warm up your ride while finishing your coffee. Whether your vehicle is a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram, original CDJR accessories will fit your make and model perfectly. At our dealership in Cortlandt, we stock all-weather floor mats, bed liners, anti-slip running boards, and roof racks. Factory accessories, unlike generics, keep your warranty intact. Your Winter-Ready CDJR Partner in Westchester Maximizing your CDJR vehicle’s built-in winter features requires attention to detail. Prewinter preparation goes beyond basic maintenance, as it must address the specific winter needs of your vehicle. Our technicians at Bill Volz Westchester have years of CDJR experience and understand not just what needs fixing but also what winter preparation your vehicle needs. Don’t wait for the first storm to hit. Our team is ready to prepare your vehicle for whatever Mother Nature throws at Cortlandt this winter, so schedule your winter service today. Images from jeep.com

Oil maintenance is essential for keeping your engine running smoothly throughout your vehicle's life. With regular checks and changes, you can ensure a safe and smooth drive on highways and city streets. Let's look at some of the essential details of oil maintenance. How Often Should People Change Their Oil? Your oil change intervals can vary depending on the year of your car, model, and engine type. Generally, it would help if you got an oil change every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. Here is some additional guidance on older and newer cars: Older Cars You might not have oil change sensors with older cars, forcing you to track the mileage to know when to bring it in. You might want to get more frequent oil changes if you drive in severe conditions, like stop-and-go traffic, regular short trips, or extreme climates. For regular driving conditions, the standard for old cars is typically every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first. Newer Cars Newer cars often have sensors to indicate when your car needs an oil change. These might gauge your mileage to determine when your car is ready or monitor actual driving performance to alert you. On average, these vehicles require a change every 5,000 miles. When you receive an oil change, the technician resets your oil-monitoring system to alert you the next time your vehicle is ready accurately. Even if you get less frequent oil changes, you might still check your oil levels and add more in to ensure proper lubrication and avoid wear and tear. What Type of Oil Is Best? There are four main oil types available during a change, including fully synthetic, synthetic blend, high-mileage, and conventional. Full synthetic is the most common in newer cars, especially high-performance vehicles. This can be pricier, but you might not have to change your oil as frequently. Synthetic blends are familiar with SUVs and trucks that carry heavy loads. It can be best for stop-and-go traffic, long drives, and extreme weather. If you have put 75,000 miles or more on your vehicle, you might consider the high-mileage oil to prevent leaks or burns. This can help increase your engine's lifespan. The last type, conventional, is familiar with older vehicles. Though it has fewer protection benefits than synthetic, this low-cost option can still smoothly help your engine run. What Type of Viscosity Is Right? Viscosity is how resistant your oil is to flow. There are two main types of viscosity you can find: High Viscosity High-viscosity oils are thicker and can help you fill gaps between different engine parts. Sometimes, it's more challenging to move through the engine, which causes engine wear or decreases your vehicle's fuel efficiency. This type of oil gets thicker in colder temperatures. Low Viscosity Low-viscosity oil is fragile. Some newer engines require this for minimizing friction and improving your vehicle's fuel economy. You might add unnecessary wear and tear to your vehicle if it's too low, as the oil can become thinner with additional heat or conditions. This type of oil can also help transfer heat to different components in the engine easier. When choosing the proper viscosity could depend on a few things. First, you should always check your manufacturer's specifications in the owner's manual to see what they recommend. This can help ensure any issues fall under your vehicle's warranty. Driving style can also affect your oil. City driving can mean you use a higher viscosity to handle more stop-and-go traffic, while highway driving can mean you use a lower density to keep oil flowing. Since weather affects thickness, you might choose a lower viscosity in cold temperatures and a higher viscosity to handle extreme heat. Why Change Oil Regularly? There are many reasons to get your oil changed regularly, we listed a few of those reasons below. Better Gas Mileage With proper oil maintenance, you can maintain a better gas mileage on the road. This is especially true if you drive long distances frequently, as your engine constantly uses oil. Without regular changes, you might fill up your tank more often than usual. Avoiding Wear and Tear If you neglect your oil changes, the quality of your engine can decrease as the components might not function as intended. Sludge and dirt can build up in your engine, and each time you get an oil change, the technician cleans this up. With a clean engine, you can safely, securely, and efficiently with less damage to the engine. Longer Engine Life Car engines are often effective for about 150,000 miles or more. Although there are some unforeseen events that can affect the life of an engine, keeping it clean and well-maintained can keep it running longer. More Lubrication Perhaps the most important reason why it's important to perform regular oil changes is to keep your engine well lubricated. Engines can get hot, which can thin your oil. Though this can help it move between components in an engine, it can also cause overheating. A dried engine can also cause unnecessary wear and tear and affect the engine's lifespan. Why Change Oil at a Dealership? It's possible to change your oil at several locations, including your local mechanic or the dealership. There are several key benefits to changing it at a dealership. For one, you can receive specialized service from technicians familiar with your vehicles. This expertise can be invaluable in finding any additional issues with your car and ensuring they use the proper oil. Another major benefit is that you can also accomplish other important tasks if you have any recall or warranty updates to make on your vehicle. Dealerships also keep a record of your vehicle maintenance, so this can be helpful when monitoring vehicle health over its lifespan. You might also get a loaner vehicle to pass the time if the oil change takes time or if you need additional repairs. Now that you have all the details about oil maintenance, consider contacting the service department at Bill Volz Westchester today to schedule an oil change. While you're there, check out the rebates section for any potential deals on service.