It’s that time of year – there’s a chill in the air and winter is right around the corner. You might be ready, but is your vehicle? There are five essential things to check out, according to Alan Collins of Discount Auto Repair on Washington Street in Auburn.

First, the battery; you’ll want the battery to be performing and charging at its best when the weather turns cold. Anyone who’s struggled to start a car on a cold winter morning can attest to that. An average car battery lasts between three and six years, so if yours is older than that it’s crucial to get it tested before the freezing temperatures arrive. Batteries are fairly inexpensive to replace if necessary.

Next, “check your belts,” Collins said. If a belt has wear or any cracks in it, it’s best to have that repaired now. A third important concern is fluids, especially antifreeze.

“Some people run water in the radiator in the summer, which is okay,” Collins says. “But in the winter, if that freezes, it can crack your radiator and other stuff inside. You definitely want to get that checked and find out the temperature level that you’re safe for.” You can also ask your mechanic to check for leaks and make sure your radiator or heater hoses are not cracked or damaged.

You’ll want to maximize visibility and safety by making sure your windshield and windshield accessories are all in good shape and functioning properly. Temperature changes can put stress on the windshield, and it’s far easier to repair a nick in a windshield now, before the cold air turns it into a bigger problem requiring an entire new windshield. You want to make sure your wiper blades are working efficiently, and replace them if they aren’t (it’s a quick and inexpensive fix that you can do yourself). And don’t forget to have windshield wiper fluid on hand.

Finally, make sure you’ve got the right tires. “In the summer, on the tar road, your tires wear down a lot,” Collins explained. “It doesn’t affect you much then, but you need to make sure you have some good tread to get through the snow down the road.”

In addition to buying snow tires or replacing worn tires, make sure you’ve got a spare in your vehicle that has air in it. (Learning how to change a tire is a great idea as well.)

By paying attention to these five major areas (battery, windshield, belts, fluids, and tires) you can maximize your car’s performance for the winter months. Aside from safety concerns, you may want to factor in convenience and consider getting a remote starter, which lets you start your car from inside your home before you head out.

As TJ Auger of SureStart in Lewiston said, “It is convenient to get your engine warmed up before you drive it… it melts the snow on the windshield and helps thaw out the vehicle before you get there.” With safety and convenience taken care of, you can look forward to a good winter for yourself and your vehicle.

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