HERE ARE SEVEN IMPORTANT VEHICLE TIPS TO PREPARE FOR WINTER DRIVING.

1. WIPERS AND FLUID
   The life expectancy of a wiper blade is one year. If your car’s blades are older, replace them. Also check and fill your wiper fluid reservoir. A harsh winter storm is the worst possible time to run out of wiper fluid or to discover your blades aren’t performing properly. Visibility is particularly important in winter as it is often greatly reduced by rain, salt buildup on the windshield, and limited daylight.

2. TIRE PRESSURE
   Traction is key and is often at a minimum in wet or snowy conditions. So it is critical to have properly inflated tires to guarantee the best possible contact with the road. Properly inflated tires will also help protect against wheel damage that might occur as the vehicle is driven over potholes.

3. ANTIFREEZE
   You can check the composition of a radiator’s mixture by using an inexpensive and easy-to-use antifreeze tester, found at all auto parts stores. If the mixture is off, adjust it by adding either coolant or water. The ideal mixture of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50:5

4. If the mixture deviates from this norm, then hot- and cold-weather performance can be compromised.

5. WHEELS AND TIRES
   If your tires are worn or are high performance tires, braking, acceleration and handling are all negatively impacted while driving on slippery roads. Because of reduced vehicle capabilities, the likelihood of a crash increases. If you have the cash, consider buying a set of winter tires. Winter tires are optimized for driving on snow and ice. Remember though, they aren’t magic tires-even with winter tires, your car will still be less stable on slick roads than dry ones. However, winter tires do help to improve traction on slick surfaces more so than all-season tires.

6. ENGINE OIL
   The colder motor oil is, the thicker it will get. Thick oil doesn’t circulate as well in an engine during start-up. If the oil is too thick, the engine doesn’t get proper lubrication. Likewise, dirty oil doesn’t circulate as well as clean oil. To ensure top vehicle performance this winter, you should change your vehicle’s engine oil to one that performs better in cold weather. Determining what type of oil your car should have during the winter is easy. Simply read your vehicle’s owner’s manual or check with your local mechanic. The manual will list the manufacturer’s oil recommendations for different climates.

7. BELTS AND HOSES
   The belts and hoses in modern cars typically last quite a while. But that doesn’t mean they don’t wear-out. Cold temperatures can accelerate the demise of a belt or hose. Before winter starts, have the belts and hoses inspected on your vehicle.

8. THE BATTERY
   A battery gives little notice before it dies. And it absolutely loves to croak when you can least afford it. Very cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle’s battery power by up to 50 percent. If your vehicle battery is over three years old, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility. While you’re at it, make sure the posts and connections are free of corrosion.

THE CHALLENGES ARE MANY: SNOW AND ICE LIMIT TRACTION. POTHOLES DAMAGE WHEELS AND TIRES. COLD TEMPERATURES MAKE IT HARDER FOR AN ENGINE TO WORK PROPERLY. SALT CAUSES RUST. AND GRAVEL PITS THE PAINT.

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