January 5, 2010 
While a good bit of the nation shivers in what promises to be one of the coldest winters in years, your car could also be feeling the effects of the arctic blast.
Motorists can avoid breaking down and being stranded by investing a little time on preventive maintenance of their vehicle, according to the Car Care Council, a group representing the automotive aftermarket industry.
For greater peace of mind while driving the Council recommends some quick tips to prepare your vehicle for winter weather:
Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Since batteries don't always give warning signs before they fail completely, it's wise to replace batteries that are more than three years old.
Change to low-viscosity oil in winter, as it will flow more easily between moving parts when cold. Drivers in sub-zero driving temperatures should drop their oil weight from 10-W30 to 5-W30 as thickened oil can make it hard to start the car.
Keep the gas tank at least half full, decreasing the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.
Tire pressure should also be checked, as tires will lose pressure when temperatures drop -- consider special tires if snow and ice are a problem in your area.
If you're due for a tune-up, have it done before really bad weather sets in, if possible. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.
Allow your car a little more time to warm up when temperatures are below freezing to let the oil in the engine and transmission circulate and get warm.
If you live in a place with especially severe winter conditions, consider using cold weather washer fluid and special winter windshield blades.
