If you’ve never lived in a cold climate, you probably haven’t had to deal with driving and operating a car in snowy conditions. There is a lot of preparation that must be done before you can drive safely in the winter. Just as you change your wardrobe for winter, your car needs a winter wardrobe. Use the following steps to make sure your car runs safely during the winter.

Winterizing your car falls into two categories: regular car maintenance and special items to deal with inclement weather. Regular car maintenance includes things you do to your car throughout the year. You want to make sure these maintenance tasks are done before the weather starts to change to make sure your car is running at its optimum level.

Before winter sets in, you need to update your car’s maintenance routine. Changing the oil and repairing the brakes are essential to preparing your car for winter. Roads can be dangerous after the first snowfall. If you opt for snow tires, they should be installed several weeks before winter arrives. Snow tires aren’t always necessary, but they’re a good idea if you’re going to be driving where a lot of snow falls. Even if you don’t need snow tires, make sure your tires are in good condition to handle winter conditions.

Test your windshield wipers before the first rain or snowfall. Make sure the wipers don’t just splash water on the windshield. Malfunctioning windshield wipers can severely reduce your visibility and put you at risk of an accident. Replace your wiper blades and take a look at the special winter wiper blades available on the market today. If you live in an area where snow frequently falls, this may be a good option. While you’re at it, make sure the windshield washer fluid container is full and put an extra gallon of fluid in the trunk.

The next part of car preparation is gathering the supplies you’ll need to keep your car running in bad weather. These supplies should be kept in two spaces: your garage and in your car. For your garage, you’ll need a shovel, a small broom, and some de-icing spray. These are necessary to rid your car of any heavy snowfall that occurred the night before. You may also find an ice scraper handy.

For your car, you should carry an extra ice scraper and some de-icing spray to use if you have to park outside during business hours. These items should be stored with a winter emergency kit that is kept in the trunk of your car. In addition to the scraper and sprayer, you should pack a blanket, some dry snacks, first aid supplies, and bottled water. If you ever get stuck in a blizzard, these items will help you survive.

While winter driving is certainly not something you need to worry about, you should take steps to prepare your car for the coming months. Get your car tuned up and stock up on emergency supplies and you’ll be ready to take on whatever the winter weather throws at you.