6 things to check before winter. 

1. Tires

Your tires might seem fine on the summer roads, but that can change quickly when the pavement start to get slick. That’s why it is important to check that your tires have enough tread to give you good traction in the snow and ice. Plus, you’ll need the extra grip if you have to drive through an unplowed driveway. Snow tires do help, but a good set of all-terrains will do the trick.

2. Battery

The battery. That black brick hiding under your hood. Or maybe in the trunk, or under the back seat. Do you even know where your battery is? It’s something we don’t think about often, but it is oh-so important. In the cold weather your car needs more ‘juice’ from the battery to start, and the cold can weaken the battery. Its a recipe for disaster. Avoid getting stranded, check your battery or have it checked before the temperatures start to drop.

Additionally, you may want to check the battery in your key fob. For some vehicles if that battery is dead, the car will not start. Plus, if you have a remote starter you’re definitely gonna want to use that!

3. Antifreeze/Coolant

Antifreeze/coolant, as the name implies, is the fluid that keeps your car from overheating when it’s running and also keeps it from freezing when its parked. That’s why this one is unique. Because even if you have a car that you don’t plan on driving this winter, you need to check the antifreeze. If there is too much water in the mixture it will freeze. And because water expands when it freezes, it can cause permanent damage to your vehicle’s engine or heating and cooling system. This is true whether you’ve parked it over night or for the whole season.

4. Windshield Washer Fluid and Wipers

In the summer time we wash bugs off the windshield, and in the winter its the salt. Just like antifreeze, if windshield washer fluid has too much water in it it will freeze. Typically if your washer fluid is green, its for summer and has too much water. The winter formulas are usually purple or blue. Of course, you’ll need good wipers too. There’s nothing worse than driving in a snow storm with the wipers leaving streaks and smudges.

5. Heater

I’d say its pretty obvious why you need a heater here in Wisconsin. But it doesn’t hurt to test it out early, make it works before you actually need it. Make sure that the air gets hot, the fan works on all speeds, and check that all the vents are working- especially the defrost vents, you don’t want to scrape ice the windshield!

6. Lights

The sun is setting earlier every day. That means we spend more time driving in the dark. Plus when the snow starts falling and the wind starts blowing, we loose the visibility. Lower visibility means you will have less space between you and other cars before they can see you. That’s why it is important to check that all of your lights are working properly. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, fog lights, and reverse light.