Your windshield wipers are vital to clearing your front view when it rains or snows. Check them out to ensure that they are in good shape.

• If they are, wipe the blades with either window cleaner or vinegar. This will remove any dirt or dry rubber that can leave streaks on your windshield.

• If they’re not, replace them, which is a job you can easily do by following the instructions on the package or in the owner’s manual.

Plain water won’t cut it for washing your windows in the winter because it can freeze not only in its reservoir but as it is spraying onto your windshield. Look for fluid that is specially formulated for washing car windows, preferably one with the lowest freezing point. And make sure that your washer container is full of this alternative so you have an effective way of cleaning your windshield as you’re driving.

Check your battery with a voltmeter that you can get at any auto parts store. The gauge should show 12.4 volts or higher. If it’s less than that, you can fully charge up your using a charger or maintainer, which you’ll also find at your local retailer.

Check the posts, fasteners, and cables to make sure that they’re in good condition and free of any dirt. You can rely on a stiff wire brush to clean any corrosion.

Look at winter tires.

If you expect to do a lot of driving in snow and ice, winter tires can help you maintain your traction on roads laden with ice and snow. Consider replacing all of your current tires with the winter versions instead of just the front or rear. Replacing them all at the same time will maximize your road grip and wear the tires evenly.

Keep them filled to the air pressure specified by the manufacturer and make sure they have sufficient depth on their treads. When warmer weather comes, you can switch back to your regular tires.

As the name implies, anti-freeze, which is also known as coolant, prevents the radiator from freezing when it’s cold. Look for the reservoir to ensure that the liquid is up to the Full line. If it’s not, add a 50/50 mix of coolant and water to bring the liquid up to that level. If you do not know where to find the reservoir or anything else in your vehicle, look at your owner’s manual.

Working lights are necessary to maintaining your visibility through the longer nights and darker days. Check that all of your external lights are in good shape and providing the brightest illumination. Clean any dirty lenses and, if any of your lights are foggy or yellow, either replace them or clear them up with a restoration kit.

You may be forced to spend unexpected hours in your vehicle before traffic stopped by a storm moves or until you’re rescued from burying piles of snow. An emergency kit can help you survive the ordeal. Add a blanket and extra clothes to keep warm. Food and can keep hunger and thirst pangs away. A flashlight will help you see in the dark and an extra battery pack can charge up your phone.

If you need to dig yourself out of snow, a folding shovel will help. An ice scraper will clear your windows of snow and ice. To increase traction under your tires, take a bag of kitty litter or sand. Jumper cables can restart your or other drivers’ batteries.

If you can’t spare the time or don’t have the desire to do some or all maintenance yourself, bring your vehicle into the Service Department at Leachman Buick GMC. Our factory-certified technicians impress as experts in your brand. They’ll efficiently take care of bringing your vehicle up to winter specs.