An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Wintertime is not good towards a vehicle. Cold temperatures make it harder for an engine to work properly, snow and ice limit traction, potholes damage wheels and tires, and salt causes rust and gravel pits the paint. But there are things you can do to help your vehicle when the seasons change. Here are a couple of easy steps to "winterize" your vehicle.
1.Check the tire pressure. Tire pressure is especially important during the winter. Traction is often at a minimum due to wet or snowy conditions. It is critical to have properly inflated tires, as this guarantees the best possible contact between the tire and the road. A properly inflated tire will also help protect against wheel damage that might occur as the vehicle is driven over potholes. Read your owner's manual to find the correct tire pressures. Because of wintertime's lower temperatures, the air pressure in a cold tire will drop.
2.Make sure your vehicle's four-wheel-drive system is working properly. A big selling point for SUVs is that they offer 4WD, which improves traction in slippery conditions. But most people don't use their 4WD systems during the summer. And while a four-wheel-drive system requires minimal maintenance, it's still a good idea to check that it works properly before the onset of winter. Make sure the system engages and disengages smoothly, and that there are no strange noises coming from the drivetrain when the system is in use. Check to make sure that the transmission and gear oil levels are correct. If there are multiple drivers for your SUV, make sure each of them knows how to operate the 4WD system. The owner's manual or online will state at what speeds and environments the 4WD can be activated.
3.Change the engine oil and adjust the viscosity grade. This isn't nearly as hard as it sounds. Viscosity simply refers to how thick or thin the oil is. Tar has a higher viscosity than orange juice, for example. Engine oils are sold with different levels of viscosity. When winter arrives, the outside temperature drops. And just like you, the oil inside your vehicle's engine isn't feeling too perky after sitting in the cold all night. The colder an oil is, the thicker it will be. A thicker oil doesn't circulate as well in an engine during start-up as a thinner oil would. If the oil is too thick, the engine doesn't get the proper lubrication. Also, dirty oil doesn't circulate as well as clean oil. To solve this wintertime problem, you can change your vehicle's engine oil to one that is thinner to begin with. Even when the thinner oil is cold, it is still not too thick for proper engine lubrication. Keep in mind that an engine oil can be too thin. Determining what type of oil your car should have during the winter is easy. Simply read your vehicle's owner's manual. The manual will list the manufacturer's oil recommendations for different climates. If you have a dealership or local garage perform the oil change, you can ask the manager what type and viscosity of oil they are putting into your vehicle. Pretty much all modern cars have recommended oil grades of 5W-30, 10W-30 or 10W-40.
4.Inspect the belts and hoses. The belts and hoses in modern cars lead long lives. But that doesn't mean they don't die. Cold temperatures can accelerate the demise of a belt or hose. Before winter starts, have the belts and hoses inspected on your vehicle.
5.Inspect the wind shield wipers and wiper fluid. Visibility is particularly key in winter, as it is often compromised by precipitation, dirt and road grime buildup on the windshield and reduced daylight. The life expectancy of a wiper blade is one year. If your car's blades are older, replace them. Also check and fill your wiper fluid reservoir. A harsh winter storm is the worst possible time to run out of wiper fluid or to discover your blades aren't performing properly.
6.Check the battery. A battery gives little notice before it kicks off. And it absolutely loves to croak when you can least afford it doing so. Very cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle's battery power by up to 50 percent. If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility. Also, make sure the posts and connections are free of corrosion.
7.Check antifreeze mixture. The ideal mixture of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your vehicle's radiator is 50:50. If the mixture changes from this norm, then hot- and cold-weather performance can be compromised. If you were to put pure water in your vehicle's radiator, it would freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. But if you combine the water with an equal amount of antifreeze, the new mixture won't freeze until -24 degrees Fahrenheit!
8.Carry an emergency kit inside the car. Wintertime requires you to load more stuff into the back of your vehicle. But hey, better safe than sorry, right? Things you might want to consider carrying: flashlight, flares, first-aid kit, jumper cables, tool kit, tire chains, A blanket, warm clothing, gloves, paper towels, a bag of abrasive material, such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter. Use this for added traction when a tire is stuck. A snow brush, ice scraper and snow shovel. Extra washer fluid, food and water.
9. Consider using snow tires if you live in a area where it snows during the winter. If the tires are worn , or they are high performance tires, breaking, acceleration and handling are all negatively impacted while driving on slippery roads. Or consider buying a set of winter tires, if you have the money for it. Winter tires help improve traction on slick surfaces more than all-season tires.