1. Tire Tread and Pressure

Snow or no snow, it’s still a good idea to be prepared by switching to all-season tires and checking your tire treads. To do this, simply place a penny into the tread grooves. If most of Lincoln’s head shows, the treads are less than the recommended 2/32” (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Tire pressure is also important to check in case of road hazards, so you should definitely have them checked. For every 10-degree Fahrenheit drop, tires lose up to one pound of pressure. If you’re checking your tire pressure yourself, you can find the recommended pressure in your car’s owner’s manual.

2. Battery

Don’t want a surprise battery failure while on the road? Be sure to check your car’s battery, as cold weather can take its toll on batteries. You should also check the connections; they should be clean, tight and free of corrosion. Not sure about the condition of your battery? Bring it in for testing.

3. Heating and Cooling

It’s always a comfort to get into a warm car when the temperature outside is low. But, needing functioning heat is also important for safety reasons, like the need to defrost your windows. Be sure to bring it in for repair if you find your car’s heating and cooling aren’t working properly!

4. Lights

As the days get shorter, you’ll need to use your car’s headlights more frequently. A good idea would be to check that all your lights, including brake lights and turn signals, are in working condition. Be sure to replace any bulbs that are broken or burnt out.