Winter is coming. Inclement weather and hazardous conditions make for risky driving. When driving in winter, you should make sure that your car is in good working order. A well-maintained car reduces your risk of accidents. Keep these five tips in mind when preparing your car for winter.

Know Your Weather

You should always know how your local weather changes during the winter. Some places may see increased precipitation, and others may have record-breaking cold.

Knowing how to maintain your car in these conditions. It can save you money. It can also help you make sure you are buying the correct services for your car.

Check Your Heater

You’re more likely to use your heater in the winter. You probably haven’t used it a lot during the summer, spring and autumn. If you don’t use a system for a long time, the system may rust, corrode or wear out.

The last thing you want to do is drive with a broken heating system. Not only will you be cold, this broken system could also stress other systems and damage your car. Have the heater repaired in a timely manner.

Check Your Tires and Brakes

Worn tires and brakes can lead to skidding and other accidents in good conditions. Wet or frozen roads can compound these risks. If your tires and brakes aren’t working properly, your risk for losing control goes up.

You should make sure to service your tires, treads and brakes before inclement weather threatens.

Check Your Lights

Rain, snow and other weather like fog generally become much more prevalent during winter. Many states have laws that require lights to be on when driving during inclement weather.

You should make sure that your headlights and taillights are properly burning. A service technician can also tell you if the lighting systems are corroded or shorted.

You should check other vital systems like antifreeze levels and your battery before winter. It is generally a good idea to have your car serviced before winter sets in fully.

If you have good tips for preparing your car for winter, leave a comment below. We also are here to protect your car with comprehensive car insurance. Check out our auto insurance options today.