Now that the fall leaves have blanketed the ground with bright yellows and oranges across the entire country, sweater weather is upon us and so is the time to start thinking about getting your vehicle ready for winter!

Getting a head start on your winter prep is easy to do and won’t leave you scrambling to get everything done at the last minute!

The tips and tricks below will help you make the most of this cozy season. Start your vehicle maintenance now so that you can sit back and relax when the first snowfall arrives!

Time Change on the Horizon

You may gain an extra hour of sleep on Halloween night, but you still need to get used to shorter days as the sun starts setting earlier in the day!

This time of year can have many of us feeling a bit down, but the time change means that drivers need to be extra cautious on the roads in the coming weeks.

Before the sun dips below the horizon for the day, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the exterior and interior light settings on your vehicle. Now is also a great time to make sure that you aren’t driving around with a burnt-out headlight.

Seeing as most of your driving will be done in low light, it’s a good idea to take a mental picture of your surroundings, even if you think you already know your daily commute inside and out!

October: Maintenance Month

It’s still a bit early to swap out your summer tires for winter ones, but it’s a great time to give your vehicle the once over before the roads get snowy and things get a little more complicated behind the wheel!

While your tires are getting changed, why not schedule a routine inspection to keep your vehicle in top condition for winter weather?

• Is it time for an oil change?
• Will your battery make it through the winter?
• Do your brakes need to be changed or checked?

If you have enough time and it feels like the right thing to do, opting for an anti-rust treatment may be the right choice if you want to keep the outside of your vehicle looking its best for as long as possible!

At-Home Chores

Before heading into hibernation, take the time to clean out your garage so that everything is prepped and ready to go for winter!

Now is the perfect time to tidy up your garage so that you are more than ready once Jack Frost comes a-knocking!

Think about clearing out some space where you can park your vehicle and decluttering a spot where all of your winter tools and equipment will be easily accessible. For example, it might be time to dig out the snowblower and pack away the lawnmower.

Make a mental note of how many shovels and brooms you have on hand and add them to your shopping list if needed. Fall cleaning is just as important as spring cleaning!

If you have a canvas carport, October is the perfect month to make sure that you have everything you need to set it up. If you don’t already own one but would like to get your hands on one, there is no better time than the present.

Some cities and towns further north are already seeing some snow, whereas others won’t see the white stuff until mid-December. Depending on where you live, you should think about setting up your canvas carport in the next few weeks!

Once you have all of these tasks checked off your to-do list, you will be ready to tackle whatever winter throws at you!