Good winter maintenance of your vehicle begins before winter sets in.  A pre-winter oil change is a good idea.  Be sure to check your vehicle's owners manual, in case your vehicle requires a special winter grade oil during the cold months.  It is also a great idea to take your vehicle into a repair shop to have a professional examine certain systems and parts.  They should check the engine cooling system, the battery, all of the belts, the brakes, your tires (including the spare), the lights, windshield wipers and the fluid levels.

Consider investing in winter tires.  They offer better traction on snow and ice covered roadways.  If you do decide to purchase winter tires, remember that you need four of them.  And also remember that winter tires wear faster in warm weather so you will need to change them once the snow melts and Spring comes around.  You will also maintain better traction if you regularly check the tire pressure.  Every year, hundreds of deaths are attributed to lack of tire pressure.  Please do not forget this step!

Have a mechanic check the life of your battery.  You may not be able to tell when the battery is about to die, but your mechanic may be able to, especially if the battery is a couple of years old.  You can tell if there is visible corrosion however.  If there is, it could be trouble and it will need to be replaced.

Check your windshield wipers.  You do not need to be driving in one of Wisconsin's many snow storms with bad wipers.  Properly working wipers are crucial, and so it adequate windshield wiper fluid.  Replace the summer fluid with special fluid made for wintertime that will not freeze.

Protect your vehicle's body from the weather.  Snow, rain, ice and road salt all contribute to the erosion of the car's body because they lead to the spread of rust, which eats away at the body.  Protect your car from this by rust-proofing it before winter, and consider waxing your vehicle before winter to protect its' paint.  Also, wash your car more often in the winter to get rid of any dirt and salt that may accumulate under it.

Lubricate your door handles so that they will not freeze.

Be prepared by having an emergency kit on hand.  In this kit, include jumper cables, a tire gauge, a flashlight, duck tape, a First Aid kit, emergency flares, a bottle of water, a couple of rags, and a simple tool kit just in case.  Better to be safe than sorry.

The most important safety tip you can follow is to slow down.  Easton Motors is happy to serve you by handling all of your vehicle needs.  Now that we have you in a car, we want you and your loved ones to be able to enjoy it for a long time.  Driving in winter weather can be dangerous.  Take extra care during Wisconsin's winter months while you are on the roads.  Be alert.  Be prepared.  Be safe.