Winterize your car

Winter is upon us! Here's a list of things you can do to make sure your vehicle is ready for the upcoming cold season:

1. Don't put off maintainance, if your car is due.

2. Flush the cooling system and replace the coolant.

3. Clean up body of the car and apply a coat of quality wax to protect paint for winter season.

4. Replace the windshield wiper blades. Put windshield washer fluid in the windshield washer reservoir (plain water will freeze).

5. Have the battery serviced (clean the battery terminal ends and add water) and load-tested to check its ability to hold a charge. If the battery is more than 4 1/2 years old, replace it.

6. Use a tire gauge to check the tire pressure. Air contracts with cold, and the tires may become low as the temperature drops.

7. Make sure there is air in the spare tire and that all the proper tire-changing equipment is in the trunk.

8. Make sure the tires are in good condition. Don't forget to change over to winter tires or consider studded snow tires. Don't wait until last minute to avoid lines at the tire shop.

9. Check the lights, heater and defroster.

10. Keep the gas tank as full as possible to prevent moisture from freezing in the gas lines.

11. Get a brake check if you haven't had one in the last six months.

12. Put together an emergency winter kit for the trunk of your car: blanket, extra boots and gloves, ice scraper, small snow shovel, flashlight and kitty litter (for traction when stuck in the snow).