Hey, don't shoot the messenger, but winter is just around the corner.

According to a survey conducted by the Car Care Council, 70 per cent of the people interviewed admitted to not winterizing their vehicles at all. Let's look at a few items to help you get prepared for the cold.

First off, have the coolant tested and replace if necessary. Coolant must be able to with stand temps of -35 degrees F at the very minimum. Coolant should not be older than five years. Why? The chemicals in solution, rust inhibiters, anti-foam agents etc. get used up.

In coolant, well past it's prime metal particles form. The particles are a result of wear in the water pump. Metal in the coolant will actually upset the readings of the sensors that are immersed in the block, upsetting the car's performance.

Check your battery! Winter's icy blast can cut a battery's life in half. Have a battery load test performed while doing your winter regiment. The tech will hook up a tester that will check not only the battery's performance, but, also test the condition of the charging system. Operating in subzero conditions stresses the vehicle's entire electrical system.

Keep tires at the proper pressure. Having a tire gauge is very inexpensive and easy to keep in your glove box. Tires loose about a pound a month of pressure in normal conditions. This condition will soon deflate tires to where they become dangerously underinflated. Also consider specialized winter tires. Manufactures now recommend that tires are replaced in sets of four. This is done to ensure the same level of traction at each corner. Having the tires mounted on winter rims makes the seasonal change over easier and can avoid damaging the tires by eliminating mounting and dismounting annually.

Finally remember to keep your gas tank half full. This will help to prevent the development of water in the fuel and eliminate fuel line freeze up. Don't you just love it?

You can contact Dave at davidredinger@rogers.com. We respond to every question.