Breaking out those winter clothes isn’t the only thing to do to get ready for the cold weather.  Proper car maintenance is also a must to make it through the cold to come.

“As far as winterizing a vehicle, it’s not like living in the north, because the winters here aren’t as cold. However, there are some things that should be done,” Walmart autoshop employee Wayne Willis said.

This is an ideal time to make sure the battery’s connection is problem-free and won’t have any shortages this season. When signs such as dim headlights, and lack of power appear in a car, it may be time for an upgrade. If the car is more than 3 years old, have a repair shop check its ability to hold a charge.

“In Texas, batteries seem to last a lot less than a normal battery does up north and in the Midwestern states,” auto shop employee Blake Peters said.

When getting an antifreeze mixture, make sure it is blended about half and half with water; this will protect the mixture and help the vehicle. Some people prefer to use mixtures like this because it not only helps with the weather effects, but also enhances the vehicle’s gas. To check the status of the mixture, an inexpensive antifreeze tester can be bought at any auto shop.

“Depending on the make and model of the vehicle, we do offer three different kinds of anti-freeze,” Huffins employee Kristen Francis said. “We’ve got the conventional green that most people are familiar with, and then certain manufacturers such as Chevrolet and General Motors prefer you use a product called Dex-cool. It is orange and reddish in color, and we also offer universal antifreeze that will mix with any type of antifreeze.”

Tire pressure is also a key factor when driving your car, so it’s a good idea to be aware of them.

“The cooler the weather, the less tire pressure there is. When its warmer, the tire pressure is actually a lot higher, so as it gets cooler, you’ve got to check your tire pressure and adjust accordingly,” Francis said.