As you enter the last few months of the year, it is only a matter of time until the air gets a chill and you will have to start getting your car ready to drive in colder weather. If you have just moved to a cold place and have not experienced a harsh winter yet, there are things you must do to your car in order to be ready for driving in snow and ice. Follow the six tips below to prepare your car for the winter.

Check Your Tires

Having good tire pressure in the winter is extremely important for driving safety. As temperatures drop, the air in your tires can decrease more rapidly because it contracts in cold temperatures, so make sure to check the tire pressure consistently throughout the winter. If you drive with deflated tires, you are higher risk of losing traction and sliding off of the road or into other vehicles.

Another area of the tires to check is the tread depth. The tread of your tires is the grooves that allow them to have traction, preventing slipping. Because winter is a slippery season, you want your tires to be as strong as possible. If your tire tread is worn down, it is time to invest in a new set of tires or put winter tires on. Many people keep a set of winter tires that have extra traction in their garage to use only for the winter months to be extra safe. These tires are made of stronger material than regular tires that can remain flexible, even in extreme cold temperatures.

Prepare Your Battery

Batteries are sensitive objects and can be greatly affected by temperature changes. Your car battery must be in good shape before the winter season begins so that you have no issues starting and running your car in low temperatures. You can search online for a complete guide on how to winterize your car that will walk you through detailed steps on how to prepare your car’s battery for the winter. The first thing you can do is have the battery inspected by a professional to ensure it is ready to take on the winter. You can also check for any signs of corrosion around the terminals and clean them regularly. When winter arrives, remember to start your car and let it run in park for a few minutes to wake the battery up before you start driving.

Top Off Fluids

Fluids like antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and oil should be topped off before the winter season begins so that they are at risk of freezing or running out. The last thing you want is to be driving through a snowstorm to discover that your antifreeze is out and you can barely look through the windshield. Make sure to also top up the windshield washer fluid with a winter formula that will not freeze.

Check Your Lights and Wipers

Switching to winter windshield wipers and changing out headlights to stronger bulbs are two things you can do to prepare for the cold season. There are specific winter-ready windshield wipers that are worth investing in because they can fight against ice and snow better than regular ones. As far as lights, it is darker for longer in the winter, meaning you will likely be driving in the dark to get to and from work, so having strong lights to see in wintery conditions is essential.

Create an Emergency Kit

The winter brings more accidents on the road because of visibility issues and icy roads, so having an emergency kit that you can throw in the back of the car is always a good idea. You can stock it with bandages, foil blankets, flashlights with extra batteries, gloves, snacks, and other first-aid items. You should also keep emergency tools in the car like a shovel to dig your car out of snow and an ice scraper. Other tools like a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, and a lift will help you if you end up stranded on the road with a flat tire or a dead battery.

Inspect Your Brakes

Your car brakes are one of the most important parts of your car, especially in the wintertime when it can be harder to brake on slippery roads. There are three important things to inspect when it comes to your car’s brakes: the brake pads, rotors, and fluid. The brake pads and rotors should be checked by a professional to make sure they are not worn down and the brake fluid should be topped off at the beginning of the winter season.

Winter is the most dangerous time for drivers, so make sure that you are following these six tips to keep you and your car safe this winter.