Winter is coming and although you may want to stay indoors, chances are you’ll need to travel to work, the grocery store, a friend’s house or someplace else. With winter soon approaching, preparing your car for the foreboding season is essential. To assist you in getting your car ready for the winter season, here are eight tips from an article by SpareFoot.

1. Check your tires

Make sure your tires have sufficient tread and the right amount of air pressure.

2. Check your oil
Colder temperatures can cause oil in a car to thicken. Thick oil cannot properly lubricate your engine, which might cause damage to it.  Oil with a lower viscosity is recommended. Check your owner’s manual for the right kind.

3. Wax your car
Moisture and road salt are corrosive and will eat away at the paint on your car. A wax job will help protect the paint during the colder months.

4. Replace your wiper blades
Regular wiper blades do not function as well in the harsh conditions of winter. Switch to winter wiper blades to guarantee visibility. Also, switch from regular wiper fluid to a wiper fluid that won’t freeze.

5. Take your car in for a tune-up
Belts and hoses become brittle in the winter and are more likely to break or snap. Have your belts and hoses checked to make sure they are in good condition.

6. Use a coolant that has antifreeze
Replace your coolant with a coolant that has a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water.

7. Keep your tank above half full
During the winter, moisture can cause corrosion on the inside of your car if it builds up. Gas will absorb any moisture before it builds up if your tank is always kept above half full.

8. Keep essential winter supplies in your car trunk

You always want to be prepared for any situation during the winter months. Keep these items in your trunk with you at all times: gloves, ice scraper, snow shovel, tire chains and road salt.