Your Car Took a Holiday Too: Why the New Year Is the Perfect Time for a Checkup

The holidays are over. The decorations are down, routines are back, and suddenly your car has opinions about it.

You turn the key on a cold January morning. The engine cranks slower than usual. The dashboard lights stay lit a second longer than they should. Maybe it starts. Maybe it doesn’t. Either way, something feels off.

This plays out every January. Not because people ignore their cars, but because winter, cold weather, and a few idle days are tough on vehicles. At Sonny’s Auto Repairs in Hicksville, this is one of the most common reasons cars end up in our shop right after the New Year.

What Happens When a Car Sits in the Cold

During the holidays, many cars don’t get driven the way they normally do. Fewer trips. Short drives. Sometimes several days without moving at all. In winter temperatures, that combination exposes weak spots fast.

Cold weather drains battery power. Even a battery that seemed fine in November can struggle after sitting for a few days in freezing temperatures.

Old or overdue oil thickens in the cold. That thicker oil makes the engine work harder during startup, which adds stress to the battery and starter.

Short trips don’t give the engine enough time to fully warm up. Moisture builds up, fluids don’t circulate as well, and small issues quietly get worse.

January doesn’t create new problems. It reveals the ones that were already there.

The Most Common January Issues We See at Sonny’s

After more than 25 years serving Hicksville and Long Island drivers, the January pattern is predictable.

We regularly see:

• Weak or dead batteries that couldn’t handle cold, idle days

• Overdue oil changes making cold starts harder than they should be

• Low tire pressure caused by temperature drops

• Brake issues becoming noticeable once regular driving resumes

• Warning lights that were ignored during the busy holiday season

None of these usually show up overnight. They build quietly, then make themselves known when normal routines return.

Why a New Year Checkup Makes Sense

A January checkup isn’t about fixing everything. It’s about resetting after the holidays and catching small issues before they turn into winter breakdowns.

This time of year is especially tough on vehicles because:

• Cold temperatures are at their worst

• Roads are rougher and covered in salt

• Batteries are under maximum strain

• Missed maintenance finally catches up

A simple inspection now can save you from a dead battery in a parking lot, a no-start morning before work, or unexpected repair bills later in the winter.

What a Simple New Year Inspection Covers

At Sonny’s Auto Repairs, a New Year checkup focuses on the basics that matter most in winter.

That includes:

• Battery testing and terminal inspection

• Oil level and condition

• Tire pressure and tread depth

• Brake condition

• Lights, wipers, and washer fluid

It’s straightforward, practical, and designed to keep your car reliable through the coldest months.

Real Talk: What We Catch Early

Just last winter, a customer came in after their car sat unused for several days during a cold stretch. They assumed the battery was the only issue.

During the inspection, we found a battery that was right on the edge of failure and an overdue oil change that was making cold starts even harder. Taking care of both meant the car started reliably through the rest of winter instead of leaving them stranded a week later.

That’s the value of checking things early. Small fixes beat big surprises.

Start the Year Without Car Trouble

January is hard enough without car problems. A quick checkup can give you peace of mind and help your vehicle handle the rest of winter without drama.

If your car sat more than usual over the holidays or just doesn’t feel quite right, now is the time to take a look.

Call Sonny’s Auto Repairs at 516-822-3671 or stop by 499 East Old Country Road in Hicksville, NY. We’ll check the basics, explain what we see, and only recommend what actually needs attention.

Start the year with a car you can count on.