By David Monforton

The winter months are upon us, which means you need to pay close attention to keeping your vehicle (and yourself) protected from the season's extremes. Here are some tips to safeguard your car and keep it running smoothly until warmer weather returns.

Be aware of weather and road conditions

Before going out on the road, check the weather forecast. A winter storm watch specifies that severe winter weather may affect your area. A winter storm warning indicates that severe winter weather conditions are present or on the way. A blizzard warning means that large amounts of falling or blowing snow and sustained winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for several hours.

Keep your car running in peak condition

The winter months put a great strain on your vehicle, so you need to keep an eye on the various components most likely to create a problem due to the harsh elements. Have the following items checked by a trained technician on a regular basis.

•     Tire condition and pressure
•     Battery and electrical system
•     Belts and hoses
•     Wipers and washer reservoir
•     Lights
•     Heater and defroster
•     Brakes
•     Fluid levels
•     Cooling system
•     Ignition system
•     Thermostat
•     Exhaust system

Carry emergency supplies

In the event you should encounter trouble on the road, be sure to have the following on hand to keep you safe and get you back on the road as soon as possible.

•     Cell phone
•     Emergency phone numbers
•     Ice scraper, snow brush and small shovel
•     Jumper cables
•     First aid kit
•     Flash light and reflectors
•     Help flag
•     Blanket
•     Small bag of sand (for tire traction)
•     Small tool kit

Other tips to get you through the winter

 In addition to keeping your car in good working order and carrying the above list of supplies, there are other things you can do to protect your car and yourself until the season has passed.

• Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times.

• In extremely cold temperatures, defog your windows with your vehicle's defogger, not the windshield washer, which could still freeze or create dangerous clouding of your windshield.

• Invest a few dollars every few weeks in an automatic car wash that utilizes an underbody spray to wash away harsh salts and chemicals.

• And finally, schedule a visit to a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility for a free 24-point inspection. These facilities meet AAA's stringent training standards and have the proper equipment to test and repair today's complex vehicles. To find your nearest AAR facility, simply contact your local AAA club or go to www.aaa.com.

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