We know, we know. It’s hot outside. But it won’t be like that forever – especially for all you folks in the northern part of the country. To cool you off we want you to envision lots of snow and days when you can see your breath...this leads us to...

Tips to Prepare Your Car for Winter

Battery
Is there corrosion? Clean and tighten the connections. If it’s over 3 years old – get it checked.

Heaters, Defrosters, and Winter Wipers
Simply – make sure they are operational. Also replace your regular wipers with winter wipers as these will help fight ice build-up. Keep an ice scraper in your car.

Brakes
If you are one of those people that hope that squealing noise goes away – guess what? You’re crazy! We cannot stress enough how important it is to make sure you can STOP when you want to – especially in the wintertime.

Oil
Change your oil and filter. Please change it every 3,000 miles – it’s the best automotive maintenance tip we can suggest for your vehicle – good for all types of weather!

Cooling System
If your cooling system hasn’t been flushed out in a while, flush and refill with fresh anti-freeze. Also check belts, hoses, pressure caps and thermostat. Top off ALL fluids.

Engine
Does your car have trouble starting now? Then you are in for a big surprise when the cold weather sets in. Faulty wiring and worn spark plugs could be to blame – but get a full diagnostic check-up now – while the weather is decent.

Exhaust System
Make sure there are no leaks or blockages in the muffler and tail pipe system. When windows are tightly rolled up leaking carbon monoxide is deadly!

Tires
Is the tread worn? Do they have uneven wear? You should replace them with brand new all-season tires or better yet snow tires. Your tires lose about 1 pound of pressure every 10 degrees the temperature drops, so make sure they are properly inflated.

Going through this checklist will stop you from getting stranded in the cold!