While it’s true that most vehicles today are designed to perform well over a wide range of temperatures, you still need to prepare your ride for the winter if you reside where it snows.

About.com shares few important things you can do to do to get your ride ready for cold and snow.

Check the coolant for the proper mix of antifreeze and water. You can have a mechanic do this or you can buy a tester at your local auto parts store.

Check the oil recommendations in your car owner’s manual. Some manufacturers recommend a different grade of oil that flows better in cold temperatures.

Check the battery, specifically the level of electrolyte. If it’s low, top it off with distilled water. (Note: Electrolyte can be nasty stuff; wear eye protection and consider having a mechanic check it for you.)

Consider buying a set of snow tires. They do a much better job than the all-weather tires fitted to most cars. If you’ve upgraded the wheels on your car, mounting the snows on the original wheels will make changing over much easier.

Replace your windshield wiper blades with snow blades.

Make sure you’ve got a snow brush and an ice scraper somewhere in the car.

If your car has air conditioning, run it at least once a month. (Hint: Running the A/C will speed up window defogging.)

Stock up on windshield washer fluid and top the washer tank off regularly. Be careful not to pour windshield washer fluid into the wrong tank!

Remember: winter is tough not just on your car but also on you. So if you’re the I-hate-cold-days type of guy, then winterizing your car must be your priority during this time of the year. A properly-winterized car can be your best friend during the cold and snowy days because it will keep you comfortable and warm when traveling from point A to point B.

Photo Credit: msn