Now is the time to get your car ‘winter ready’

(WKBN)- October is usually a good time to get prepared for the winter weather season because that first snowfall can be just around the corner. You don’t want to be caught off guard.

According to the National Weather Service, the first measurable snowfall in our area, on average, is early November.

Since the area is only a few weeks away from potential snowfall, now is the time to take action. AAA says the number one thing you should keep an eye on is the car battery. They say their technicians respond to dead battery calls during the winter months.

“What happens is actually the summer sun that breaks down the internal components of the battery. And then you get a really cold morning in the wintertime. That’s the nail in the coffin,” said Jim Garrity of AAA East Central.

Another major thing you should keep an eye on is tire tread. You can check this simply at home using a penny. If Lincoln’s face is mostly covered, you are good to go. If the top of his head is covered, but not the face, it might be time to consider investing in new tires. If the entire head is showing, it is time to take action.

Another great idea is to begin packing essentials inside the car.

The obvious is that snow brush, which most of us just leave in our cars year-round.
But extra emergency items could be smart, you never know when you could need them. Car breakdowns can happen, and during the cold winter months, extra items like blankets, phone chargers, and even snacks become essential.

“A lot of people think, well, yeah, that may never happen to me. But then, you see stories every year about people who are stranded on highways in some cases for more than 24 hours, because the roads are shut down due to weather. You’d like to hope you’re never in that situation. but if you are, you’re better safe than sorry with having that that roadside kit with you,” Garrity said.

AAA has released a Winter Car Care Checklist with everything you’ll need:

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.