When the mercury in the thermometer starts to dip, most of us start by changing out our wardrobe – bringing out the sweaters and scarves, and putting away the sandals and shorts. However, your car needs some preparation for winter as well.

The two parts of your car that are most susceptible to winter conditions are your battery and your cooling system. Your car battery produces electricity by means of a chemical reaction between the acid liquid in the battery and the metals in the battery. Cold temperatures can significantly delay or even stop this chemical reaction from happening. In some places where the weather is very cold, people actually remove their car batteries during cold weather and bring the batteries into the house with them. However, a more reasonable alternative for most of us is to choose a battery that has a good “cold cranking amp” rating, which is a measure of how well the battery is able to maintain its charge in cold temperatures.

Additionally, your coolant system depends on a mixture of water and antifreeze to function properly. A ball tester will allow you to determine the concentration of the mix and how low the temperature can go without the mixture freezing into a solid. If necessary, you can add additional coolant to achieve the protection you need in your climate. You may also want to have your coolant system flushed before the beginning of winter to ensure an optimum mix.

Occasionally, you’ll get small amounts of water in your fuel line, although this usually only happens if you’re in an area that experiences frequent and sustained temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or less. If this is the case for you, you may want to use a winter fuel additive to prevent ice from forming in your fuel line. Always keep at least a half tank of gasoline in your car – in the unpleasant event you’re stranded or stuck traffic delays, you’ll need to run your car’s engine for heat.

The other fluids in your car aren’t water-based – they’re generally petroleum-based – so it takes considerable cold to solidify them. In fact, synthetic motor oils are popular in the colder climates of Europe because they resist solidification longer.

Before winter begins, you should also have your windshield wipers and any hoses and belts checked for wear and replaced if necessary. In colder climates, special wiper blades are available for winter conditions to help with visibility in the event of snow or ice. You should also use a de-icing product in your windshield washer fluid reservoir to prevent windshield wiper fluid from freezing on your windshield.

Next up, check your tires to make sure they have enough tread, and check your brakes and make any necessary repairs. On winter-slick roads, the ability to control and stop your car is crucial. Special snow tires and chains usually aren’t required, except in areas that experience a great deal of snow. There are no tires and brakes, however, which can substitute for careful and cautious driving.

Always remove all ice and snow from your car before you begin to drive it. Not only does this improve your visibility, it prevents ice and snow from blowing off your car onto another car, interfering with that driver’s visibility.

Finally, prepare an emergency kit for your car. You’ll want to have a cell phone, blankets, snacks, bottled water, and emergency flares for your car available at all times. The last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the road without warm clothes and snacks to protect and sustain you until help can arrive.