A fall chill has definitely been in the air over the past several days, and some portions of the region have actually dipped below freezing. So you may be wondering - do I need to do anything to my vehicle now that the colder weather is rolling? Do I need to 'winterize' it?

The Washington Department of Transportation advises you to check the following components as the winter months roll in:
battery and lights
antifreeze - good to 25 degrees below zero
defroster and heater
belts, hoses and filters
motor oil
tire pressure
wiper blades and windshield washer fluid
brakes and brake fluid

Most of these things are checked when you get your oil changed, so you should be largely 'in the clear' as long as your car is being regularly maintained. One thing to double-check will be the antifreeze - just to make sure it's good down to negative 25 degrees.

Photo Courtesy Polk County, Wisconsin

Something else you can do to get ready for winter is to make sure you have an emergency kit ready, and to keep it in your car or truck - just in case. Things like extra blankets, gloves and boots, food and water, matches, jumper cables, and a flashlight can all come in handy if you get stuck up on a snowy mountain road.

Here's to a snowy winter! =)

Joe

---