Weather readiness

While October can be the best weather month of the year, winter will soon follow. Take a few minutes to get your vehicle ready for winter while it’s still nice outside.

Start by re-stocking your vehicle emergency kit. Do some checks under the hood and around the outside of the vehicle. Here’s a basic list to follow.

Under the hood

• Battery: Cold weather will kill a weak battery. Have a shop test your battery if it is more than three years old.
• Coolant: Check the coolant level in the overflow tank and verify with a tester that your antifreeze-to-water mixture protects against freezing.
• Belts and hoses: Look for cracks, soft spots or fraying on rubber parts that can snap in freezing temperatures.
• Oil: Get an oil change if you are due or close to it.

Outside the vehicle

• Wiper fluid: Fill your reser-voir with washer fluid that is cold-resistant.
• Wiper blades: Swap out streaking or brittle blades, including the rear wiper if your vehicle has one.
• Lights: Make sure all headlights, tail lights and turn sig-nals work and lenses are clear.

Tires

Check your tire pressure with a gauge and make sure each meets the specs in your owner’s manual.

Measure your tread depth with an upside-down penny. If you can see most of Abe Lincoln’s head, it may be time for a new set.

Emergency kit

Pack an ice scraper, snow brush, jumper cables, small shovel, blanket, nonperishable snacks, water and a flashlight that is rechargeable or equipped with new batteries.

Make sure your phone is updated with necessary emergency contacts and add Fleming-Mason Energy’s emergency line, (800) 464-3144, to easily report downed power lines.