Winter is fast approaching, and with it comes cold that changes the dynamic of getting your car ready in the morning. This week’s safety message provides nine steps you can use to ensure you are getting your car started with safety in mind.

1. Check your coolant: It makes sense to check your coolant level before winter sets in. If you’re using traditional coolant, you’ll need to make sure you have a true 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze to prevent the fluid from freezing in your radiator.
2. Check your battery: The chemical reactions required to generate power in a car battery slowdown in extremely cold temperatures, and your car requires more current from the battery to start the engine.
3. Fill your wiper fluid: Winter driving is hard enough—reduced visibility makes it much worse. Having enough wiper fluid is crucial to keeping your windshield free of ice, snow, salt, and mud. Make sure you use freeze-resistant wiper fluid.
4. Replace your wiper blades: Keeping your windshield free of winter precipitation is a tough job—make sure your wiper blades are up to the task.
5. Inspect (and maybe replace) your tires: Tires with worn treads are a serious hazard in winter conditions. Consider getting snow tires, which are made of softer rubber that remains flexible in colder temperatures, and have treads specially designed to keep their grip in snow and ice.
6. Check your tire pressure: No matter whether your tires are new or older, make sure they’re properly inflated for winter conditions, and don’t forget to check your spare!
7. Change your oil: Your engine needs lubrication to run, but cold weather thickens oil and reduces its ability to circulate through the engine, so make sure you have fresh oil to keep things running smoothly.
8. Check your belts and hoses: Cold temperatures can weaken the belts and hoses that keep your engine running. Prepare for winter by checking all belts and hoses for cracks or signs of wear and tear, and replace them if needed.
9. Put together an emergency kit to carry in your car: Despite excellent planning, winter weather can still take you by surprise and put you in a dangerous situation. Be ready for the unexpected by equipping your car with emergency supplies including blankets, flares, a jack, a first-aid kit, flashlight, shovel, food, and kitty litter or sand for traction if you get stuck.