Check Your Battery
Cold weather can put a strain on your battery, so it's important to make sure it's in good working condition. If your battery is more than three years old, it's a good idea to have it tested by a professional to see if it needs to be replaced.
Inspect Your Tires
n addition to making sure your tires are properly inflated, you'll also want to check the tread depth. Tires with shallow treads can lose traction on slick roads, so it's important to have enough tread to grip the road. You can check your tread depth by inserting a penny into the tread; if you can see all of Lincoln's head, your treads are too shallow and you'll need new tires.
Change Your Oil
Dirty oil can cause engine problems, so it's important to change it regularly. In most cases, you should change your oil every 5,000 miles or so. However, if you drive in stop-and-go traffic or in very cold weather, you may need to change it more frequently.
Fill up your windshield washer fluid reservoir
You'll be using your windshield wipers more frequently in the winter months, so it's important to make sure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid. Most reservoirs hold about two gallons of fluid; top it off before winter hits so you don't run out at an inopportune time.
Get your car serviced
Before winter arrives, take your car in for a tune-up so a mechanic can check all of the fluids and make sure everything is in good working order. This will help prevent breakdowns and other problems when you need your car the most.
By taking some time to perform basic maintenance tasks on your car, you can help ensure that it will be able to withstand the rigors of winter driving. From changing your oil to filling up your windshield washer fluid reservoir, following this checklist will help keep your car running smoothly all season long.
