Preparing the car for winter: what you need to do now so as not to get into trouble when it gets colder

Winter is not far off. And cars at this time need a little more attention. What to think about now to get your car ready to go when the cold weather hits, advises Lifehacker

Start with tires

There are three things you need to do to make sure your tires are ready for the snow and ice season:

• Make sure they are properly inflated because traction is vital to getting you through the snow.
• Keep chains in your car in case of a sudden snowstorm.
• Align your wheels to maintain control and handling in icy conditions.

Think about whether it's time to buy a new set of tires. Get a tread depth gauge to determine if your wear is over the limit. This may reduce stability.

Create an emergency kit

Even if you live in an urban area and don't plan on getting stuck somewhere in a snowy area, you need to be prepared for the worst. Put your essentials in your trunk right now so you always have them with you. The kit should include:

• Blankets, mittens, socks and hats
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Connecting cables
• First aid kit
• Bottled water
• Multitool
• Road flares and reflective warning triangles
• Windshield wiper
• Sandbag (for traction)
• Folding shovel
• Hand warmers

Check and clean the battery. Make sure your battery is working well. Test your battery with a computerized battery tester or bring your vehicle in for a professional evaluation. Clean the battery terminals by disconnecting the negative cables, then the positive cables using a battery cleaning tool or a wire brush to clean the terminal blocks, then clean any grease and acid before reinstalling the positive cables, then the negative cables again. You can also ask the mechanic to do this.

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Prepare windows

In winter, ice water sometimes gets into the window rails, which can damage the power window cables. Lubricate window rails with silicone or dry Teflon spray. Open and close the window several times to distribute the lubricant. Just in case, do the same with your locks, even if you usually use the remote control to access your car.

In addition, grease all latches and hinges. Your local auto shop will have all the necessary lubricants for these various parts.

Check coolant

Coolant is what keeps your engine from freezing and cracking. This is vital in the winter, so make sure you have enough. Coolant test strips are fairly inexpensive and easy to use. They will show if your coolant is suitable for freeze protection. If this is not the case, replace the coolant immediately.