Just in case you get stuck or in a wreck, here are a few tricks to prepare your vehicle for winter.

You need to always check your tire tread if you have all-season tires. A quick and easy way to check tire tread is the penny test. If you take a penny and put Lincoln’s head down in the tread, look from the side and if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head.  If you can, then you are in need of new tires.

If you have a set of winter tires you should either put them on yourself or set up an appointment with a tire shop to have them put the tires on.  This usually costs about $60-$75.

Make sure the oil is at the correct spot on the dipstick and that it’s not too dark. It would be best to change the oil if you can.

The transmission fluid needs checked, which are usually located on the left side of the engine if facing it. You need to make sure that the fluid is topped off.

Assistant Chief of Police Wayne Hard says ” Slow down a little bit when it’s snowy, when the streets are icy or snow covered.  You’ve got to give yourself a little bit more following distance so you have more room to stop…”

Hard recommends that you buy an emergency kit for when or if you get trapped in a snow storm. The kit should have jumper cables, a blanket, food, water, and road flares to mark your vehicle.

To make sure your vehicle is ready for winter the easiest way to do so would be to take it to a mechanic and have a professional look at the automobile.