“Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer.”

- Author Unknown

For a season consisting of such long sunlight days, it always looks like summer rushes by faster than the wind through your hair while you drive a convertible. Still, the impending temperature drop is a stark reminder of what will soon become months of winter-driving ambiguity.

Like it or not, Jack Frost is on his way. And while you may not be ready to pull out the winter coat, adapting your vehicle to colder weather before the change of season is paramount to avoiding a slippery situation in the snow.

Taking the time to adapt your car for winter before the first freeze will save you a lot of trouble, so today’s top ten tips are what you should do to winterize your car.

1. Check those fluids.

Check the coolant system. To establish whether or not your vehicle is operating with a proper coolant level, it sometimes only requires a small visual check at a marked level indicator on a semitransparent overflow reservoir. A 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze coolant is typically recommended for year-round driving (check your car’s owners manual for specifics or go by the indications on the antifreeze).

After checking the coolant, proceed to examine coolant hoses for leaks or wear — visually inspect all the connections and use clean rags or paper towels to ensure there are no leaks. Make sure you also investigate for leaks around other reservoirs in the engine compartment, such as your brakes and oil.

The change in seasonal temperatures may also impose a change to a thinner viscosity engine oil to more efficiently lubricate moving parts in colder conditions. Since this is not the standard for all vehicles, check your car’s owner manual for fluid requirements.

2. Check your tire pressure.

Your tires must be properly inflated to ensure you’ll have the best possible traction as you drive along — and traction is frequently severely jeopardized in wet, snowy or icy conditions. The air pressure in your tires has likely dropped as the weather has gotten colder, so it’s important to see where things stand now — you can generally expect that you’ll lose 1 pound per square inch whenever the temperature drops by 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Again, your trusty owner’s manual will tell you what your target tire pressure should be.

3. Think about switching to snow tires.

Do you live in a hilly place that gets its fair share of snow? Then you might want to enhance traction even more by investing in winter tires and using them over the next few months instead of your ordinary all-season tires. When shopping around for snow tires, ask about all the fees that might come into play, such as fees for mounting and balancing. You can accomplish this easily and make accurate cost comparisons by asking each store for the “out the door charge.”

4. Maximize winter vision.

When was the last time you replaced your windshield wiper blades? They generally work effectively for about one year, so be sure to invest in some new ones if you’re due. Here’s another critical step to take before you find yourself struggling to see in a blinding storm: Fill up your windshield washer reservoir with windshield washer fluid — plain water won’t do the trick at this time of year because it freezes. Also check to see that your heater and defroster are working properly so you can keep the windshield nice and clear.

5. Don’t get iced out.

There’s nothing worse than being frozen out of your own car. To keep your doors swinging in even the coldest of weather, some have suggested applying a coat of petroleum jelly to the door’s hinges and door latches. If it’s your lock that’s frozen, use a lighter or a match to heat the key briefly. Then put it into the lock and turn gently. You can also use a lock de-icer.

6. Give your battery a little TLC.

This is the optimal time of the year to make sure your battery’s posts and connections are corrosion-free and that your battery has all the water it needs. If your battery is more than three years old, have a certified repair shop test its ability to hold a charge. Granted, you might be able to find a Good Samaritan to help you jump-start your vehicle in the middle of a blizzard — but wouldn’t you rather avoid such a scenario altogether?

7. Examine your belts and hoses.

When you have that full service done on your car, make sure the belts and hoses get checked for wear and tear — even if you’re driving a modern vehicle. Cold weather can do a number on belts and hoses, so they demand attention.

8. Clean vehicle inside and out.

Exterior surfaces are specifically vulnerable to winters charming qualities, such as snow, ice and road salt. Utilize the fair fall days leading up to the frigid months to assiduously wash your vehicle and you may just save your vehicle’s body. To start, undertake a complete do-it-yourself detailing of your car. Be sure to include a car wax that coats the body panels before the first snowfall — specifically, before temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This preventative measure will shield paint surfaces from snowy bombardments, and it will also make snow and ice easier to brush off.

On the inside, remove any garbage before vacuuming the seats and floor. After vacuuming, additional attention with an upholstery cleaner will have your cockpit looking spick-and-span and more inviting for passengers. To rid your car of that stale, climate-controlled atmosphere that the colder weather brings, try an air-freshener. Finally, it’s also a great idea to swap out your carpeted floor mats with a set of water-resistant vinyl or rubber mats.

9. Equipped for the road.

While it may be a given, it’s still quite important to mention the basics in winter car equipment: You will need a snowbrush and an ice scrapper. Remember, a soft-bristled snowbrush is unlikely to damage your paint and plastic scrappers won’t scratch your windshield and windows as easily as metal ones. Other tools suited for capricious winter conditions include a collapsible shovel, a well-stocked emergency kit and a set of jumper cables.

For mountain neighborhoods, add a set of tire chains to your trunk as it may be the only way you’ll be able to drive. As well, in case your car becomes immobilized in deep snow you can either buy of set of traction pads or use some scrap pieces of carpet to help you escape those arctic traps — but make sure you read the instructions attentively prior to using the traction pads as they often have spiked bottoms and can be quite dangerous.

10. Know what to do if you get stranded.

Don’t wander away from your car unless you’re absolutely sure about where you are and how far away help is. Light two flares and situate them at each end of your vehicle to call attention to your plight. Put on the extra clothes and use the blanket to stay warm. If you have enough gas in the tank, run the engine and heater for about fifteen minutes for each hour you’re waiting for help. Leave at least one window open a little bit so that snow and ice don’t seal the car shut. Suck on a hard candy to prevent your mouth from getting too dry.

Rather than making your car another winter burden (like shoveling the driveway or salting the front steps), make sure it’s a haven from the cold and a vehicle you can rely on to transport you and your family safely in any weather conditions Old Man Winter can throw your way.

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