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Fall is here and winter is right around the corner, so nows the time to prepare your car for the harsh weather to follow. With a few tools, an afternoon and a little know how you can winterize your car at a fraction of the cost a mechanic would charge. Here's some things you should do every fall, because no one wants to be stuck beside the road in freezing weather.

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**Change the oil**
Changing the oil is simple, but its important for your engine, because old broken down oil does not provide the protection your engine needs during those cold startups. For best results start the engine and let idle til warm, this allows the oil to drain better, now would also be a good time to switch to synthetic, if you haven't already.

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**Get your battery checked**
This is a must, cold weather drains your battery and if its weak it will likely leave you stranded in a parking lot on black Friday. Most any autoparts can check it for you, you also want to check your battery's cold cranking amps. While checking out the battery go ahead and check the terminals for any corrosion, and make sure your cables aren't wore badly. If terminals are corroded use some battery cleaner and a wire brush to clean them, or replace if they are cracked or worn.

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**Wipers and windshield washer fluid**
With all the salt and chemicals used to clear roads you need good wipers and nows the time to change them. When buying wipers don't go cheap, Bosch, Michelin and Rain-X are brands that I have used and liked how they performed. A good washer fluid is key also, preferably one with deicing capabilities.

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**Check your tires**
Make sure your tires are properly inflated, you also want to check the tread, if worn go ahead and replace. If you have the means its good to buy designated snow tires for the winter, they work better in snow than other tires, and if you have an extra set of rims just keep them on the spare rims and just switch in the fall.

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**Check belts and hoses**
You want to make sure that the belts and hoses are not worn, the cold weather will cause the rubber to fail, so if there are any crack, or worn spots go ahead and change them now.

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**Check your antifreeze**
This is as important as your oil, if the antifreeze is old it will not work the way it needs to. The whole purpose of antifreeze is to prevent your engine from freezing up, newer cars have freeze plugs, so you likely won't damage the block, but its still a costly repair.

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**Stock emergency supplies**
Even tho you take preventative measures you may still have a break down, so supplies are a must. Having a couple of blankets, hand warmers, gloves and a coat are a good idea. Its also good to have a battery jumper, they make compact ones now that will fit in your glove box.

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**Wash and wax your car**
While this doesn't keep your car running its still a must. If you have paint that is chipped and its not protected the salt will eat away at the metal. So if you want your car looking good come spring its a good idea to protect it now. You can also have your car undercoated, it will save the frame and break lines from rusting out