Fall is a good time to get your vehicle ready for the colder weather ahead. Here's some tips you can do yourself, or have an ASE certified technician perform, to get your car ready for winter:

Battery and Terminal Check - Have your battery checked once a year, especially if it’s more than two years old. A qualified technician will perform a quick load test to make sure it’s in good enough shape to keep you on the road. Also you can check your battery’s terminals and cable connectors regularly. If you see corrosion, a simple mixture of baking soda and water will clean it off. In Michigan, faulty batteries and/or faulty terminal connections cause more car starting problem than any other factors.

• Step 2

  Radiator Check – Have your coolant strength and level checked by a certified technician. The recommended protection is for 36 below 0. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. (A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is usually recommended.) Never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled!

• Step 3

  Oil & Fluids – Check engine oil, brake, fluid, power steering fluid and transmission fluids and top off or change when necessary.

• Step 4

  Belts & Hoses – Check belts and hoses for cracks, leaks and bulges. And make sure all clamps are secure.

• Step 5

  Tires - Have tire wear inspected and check air pressure checked when tires are cold.

• Step 6

  Lights & Signals - Run through all signal and light functions to ensure they are active.

• Step 7

  Wind Shield Washer & Wipers - Check wipers for wear and make sure reservoir is filled with washer solvent. 24 % of all wiper blades checked before winter are worn or damaged.

• Step 8

  Heater/Defroster - The heater and defroster must be in good working condition for passenger comfort and driver visibility.

• Step 9

  Engine Performance - Get engine drivability problems (hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc.) corrected at a good repair shop. Cold weather makes existing problems worse. Replace dirty filters-air, fuel, PCV, etc.

• Step 10

  Emergencies - Carry gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, tire chains, a flashlight, and a cell phone. Put a few "high-energy" snacks in your glove box.