As the fall temperatures start to wind down, one thing that you should be doing is getting your car ready for the winter. Doing some maintenance prior to the temperature dropping will help make sure your car is ready for the ice and snow that will be coming. 

Replace The Windshield Wipers

Winter is one of the toughest seasons for your windshield wipers, and chances are that you did not replace them after last year's winter. They were most likely frozen to your windshield at some point before being ripped off, which damages the rubber that cleans off the glass. Wipers that are worn down can make it more difficult to clean sleet or snow off your windshield, making driving conditions more dangerous than they already are. 

Since windshield wipers should be replaced once every year, doing it right before winter is the best time to have it done. It is an easy task that you can do on your own.

Apply Rain Repellent

A huge problem when driving in snow is visibility, so anything that can be done to make driving through it easier will help. Rain repellent works for more than rain, and it works great for snow as well. The repellent will help the snow slide off your windshield immediately after it lands on it, increasing your visibility.

Applying rain repellent can also be done on your own, using a microfiber cloth or paper towel.

Check The Tires

Tire treads are what help the water on the road flow beneath the tire instead of causing you to hydroplane. Not having enough tread depth can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, which makes slippery road conditions even more dangerous.

Thankfully, it is easy to check your tire tread to ensure you have enough to make it through the winter. All you need is a penny to quickly measure it. If you stick a penny head first into the tread in various places, and at any point you do not see Lincoln's head covered by the tread, it means you have less than 2/32" of tread remaining. This is a sign that you need tire replacement.

If you want to make sure your car is prepared for winter, take it to a local auto shop for a check up. A mechanic can look at many aspects of the car that you do not know about to ensure that everything is in great condition before winter.