People across the U.S. got a harsh welcome to winter thanks to the recent polar vortex, which brought subzero temperatures, snow and icy conditions to much of the country. While dealing with cold weather is nothing new for people on the East Coast, the fluctuations in temperature, coupled with several remaining weeks of the winter season, may have some drivers questioning their vehicle maintenance and wondering if their car can handle the cold.

“Subzero temperatures can stress out a vehicle, as well as its driver,” said Rich White, the executive director of the Car Care Council. “The recent record low temperatures are a harsh reminder to be car care aware. During this break from the cold and snow, motorists should invest a little time to check over their vehicles so they have one less worry when arctic temperatures strike again.”

Freezing temperatures can cause damage to cars, so it is important not to let up on basic car care. Checking tire pressure and fluid levels should be done regularly, and other components of a vehicle, such as the HVAC system and lighting, need to be monitored. These can be extremely important to safety during the winter months.

Similarly, if you have used four-wheel drive in the recent weeks, make sure it is still working properly. Professionals can check to see that nothing has been damaged within this system, and they may be able to inspect snow tires, tire chains, winter windshield wipers and other cold-weather accessories as well.

It’s not too late to make sure your vehicle is ready to handle the remaining months of winter. If you have any issues that need to be addressed, schedule an appointment at the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto. The garage caters to the public and is capable of handling maintenance you may need done.

Men and women do a lot of things differently, so it makes sense that each gender handles car ownership differently as well. While old stereotypes point to the idea that men tend to be closer to their vehicles, some new data shows that women are increasingly forming special relationships with automobiles. 

DMEautomotive recently released the results of a survey it conducted, which asked more than 2,000 people about their relationship with their cars. The poll found that about 1 in 5 drivers name their vehicles, which equals about 50 million people. Of those monikers, almost 1 in 4 begin with the letter "B." In fact, nicknames like Baby, Betsy, Bessie and Black Beauty were among the most popular labels. 

Millions of people name their cars, but women were more likely to do so than men. Women were also apt to refer to their vehicles as female – about 88 percent of women saw the machine as a fellow girl, while 55 percent of men viewed their cars as female as well. 

Outside of gender, age also played a role in whether or not a driver named a vehicle. Millennials, or people ages 18 to 34, were significantly more likely to name a car than older motorists. 

"While we've seen numerous headlines on the fact that Millennials are the least car-passionate generation in history, they're far more likely to personify and name their vehicles," said Doug Van Soch, a vice president at DMEautomotive. "This indicates an emotional and personal vehicle attachment in these demographics, one that auto marketers might want to explore and leverage."

Anyone searching for a used car for sale, regardless of age or gender, can find what they're looking for a NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified vehicles, and those cars, trucks and vans can meet the needs of a diverse array of drivers. 

Driving safely in the winter receives a lot of attention, and rightfully so. How you act behind the wheel in the snow, slush and cold temperatures may have a major impact on you and your car, not to mention everyone else on the roads.  

"During Winter Driving Awareness Week, I'm asking all motorists to do their part to help increase safety for all drivers this winter season," said Barry J. Schoch, Pennsylvania DOT secretary. "Safety begins before drivers even leave home by ensuring that vehicles are properly equipped and mechanically ready to deal with winter driving challenges." 

Schoch also recommended that drivers head to a mechanic to have their vehicle examined. Specifically, mechanics should look at the areas that come into play during the winter season. This includes brakes, windshield wipers, fluid levels, lights and the tires. As usual, features like the cooling system and battery must also be examined, as they are essential for the operation of a car and may be affected by freezing temperatures. 

Drivers also need to pay considerable attention to others on the road. This becomes exaggerated when those motorists include plows clearing the streets. These automobiles need a large amount of space to properly do their job, so be sure to drive away from the middle of the road and leave plenty of room around them. Plows typically drive slower than other cars on the road, so being aware of this and decreasing your own speed can make things easier. 

Because car maintenance is such an important part of safe winter driving, you should not take any chances with your safety. Schedule an appointment at a garage, such as the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction. That facility caters to the public and is capable of addressing any issues you might have with a vehicle.