There are plenty of ways to prepare your car for the winter months. If you live in an area that frequently experiences snow and harsh winter conditions, you may need to consider a car that is built for those conditions. When looking for such a car, here are a few key factors you should consider when making a decision.
Ground Clearance
When deciding on a car, you are going to want to find a vehicle that has enough space between the body of the car and the ground so you can drive through snow. This ground clearance is going to be especially important in suburban areas where driveways and indoor garages are more likely to experience snow build up.
All-Wheel-Drive
When winter hits, you should be prepared to drive in numerous driving conditions. Slippery wet roads, ice, and snow buildup are all conditions you may face throughout the season. All-wheel-drive is one way to combat these driving conditions. This feature allows the wheels to easily adjust for simple handling.
Winter Tires
The most important factor to consider when purchasing a new car is winter tires. Winter tires are specifically designed to create traction in icy and slippery conditions. Without that traction all-wheel-drive and ground clearance do not matter. These tires do not need to be installed year round but should be put on your car by a certain date, depending on the area.
The Beat Car Based on Where You Live
You may find that there are specific cars that are going to be more useful based on the area you live in. For example, it was mentioned earlier that those living in suburban areas are going to want cars with good ground clearance. Some examples of cars with good ground clearance, great for suburban areas, include the 2018 Honda CR-V, 2018 Toyota RAV4, and 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe XL.
If you live in the city, you will not have to worry about snow build-up, but will still be experiencing the same cold conditions. Those individuals will want to shop for crossovers. This includes the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek Automatic, 2017 Nissan Qashqai CVT, and the 2017 Nissan Juke Automatic.
Those living in towns outside suburban areas are going to want ground clearance and power when facing these conditions. Cars that are optimal for these features include full-size SUVs and Pickup Trucks. For example, the 2018 Ford Flex, 2018 Toyota Sequoia, 2018 Ford F-150 Super Cab, and 2017 Nissan Titan Crew Cab.
When it comes to winter conditions, there are multiple ways to prepare your car. Although it may be more efficient to purchase a car that is already equipped to handle harsh winter conditions. Be sure to consider these key factors when making a decision on your next car.