Perhaps you may need to perform some extra prepping for your car so it is ready for the winter months. During severe winter weather, you will have some issues that could arise. If you have a newer vehicle, it may not matter much but you should still be cautious. It can save you a considerable amount of money if you decide to use all of these tips, or at least some of them.

Check Your Tires

The cold weather might lead to your winter tires to deflate quickly so keep an eye on the pressure regularly. You’re going to get better gas mileage when your tire has the right pressure, and it will give you a less chance of getting a flat tire. Make sure that your gas tank is higher than a quarter full. With older cars, the gasoline lines normally would freeze if the tank was not at least a quarter full though newer cars don’t have this problem. You need to hold enough gas in the tank, in case you become stranded. Make sure that you have an emergency kit that contains cold weather equipment like gloves and hats. It’s also wise to have jumper cables, flashlight, flares along with essential tools.

Check Fluid Levels

You must also look at the fluid levels before cold weather rolls around. If you reside in an area that has gone below freezing, you will need to make sure your cooling system is in check. Typically the majority of the expensive engine breakdowns originate from cooling system failures. Verify the antifreeze level on a regular basis throughout the winter. It is advisable to in addition have liquid for your windshield washer that will not freeze during the winter. It’s also wise to have your battery pack checked to determine if it can last through the winter. Get rid of any corrosion on your battery terminals, or your car might not start. The life expectancy of a battery is shorter with serious cold weather. Always make sure that you have jumper cables in your car if the battery dies.

Change Oil

Experts recommend to have your oil changed prior to winter even when it is not time yet. If you have an older car, using a light weight oil helps keep the parts in your car lubricated. Newer cars and trucks usually use lighter weight oil all year-long. You may even want to swap your wiper blades for the wintertime as well. The new blades will probably be more useful in wiping off the ice and slush that collects. You should also get the snow tires on also for the traction. At the very least use a good all season radial tire.

You should definitely get all of this done before the winter weather hits. If you are not diligent, you may find yourself in a heap of trouble in the thick of winter. You shouldn’t procrastinate, go ahead and take action before the mad rush begins.