Ways to prepare your vehicle for winter

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - With the weather getting colder, unfortunately that means winter is right around the corner, and there are a few simple tips you can take to make sure your vehicle is ready for the elements.
     
Whether you like it or not, freezing rain and snow will soon begin falling down.
     
Operating in these conditions can be difficult, both for you and your vehicle.
    
Under the hood, it's important to check your fluids. Make sure your anti-freeze, coolant, and oil are at the right levels.
     
Also, switch over to a winter blend of wiper fluid. That'll help get rid of the dirt and grit.
     
It's also important to have working wipers. If they're starting to streak, replace them.
     
A strong battery is also crucial. It's better to put a new one in now, than risk it breaking down at the wrong time.

"With batteries and other things like that, you may not notice it right now, you may not have a problem," said Neal Mottesheard, Parts and Service Director at Dorsett Automotive, "but the first time it gets cold, and you go out and try to start your car, it's not gonna start. You're gonna have a problem. You're gonna have a failure, and it's gonna let you down, and that's what you don't need."
     
You also want to make sure your lights are in good working order. Check your turn signals and make sure that everything is working properly.

Last but not least, there's the part of your car that might face the most force in the winter, your tires.
     
It's important to make sure there's plenty of tread to get good traction. If you're in doubt, there's a simple test.

"You can actually use a penny and put it in the tread and if you can't see Abraham Lincoln's head, you know you're in good shape. If you can see all of it, it's time for tires," said Mottesheard.

In addition, the colder the temperatures get, the more air your tires will need. So don't freak out about that tire light, just pump them up.