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KEARNEY — Checklist to prepare for winter:

Put away the rakes and leaf blowers and get out the shovels and some ice melt for the slippery stoop.

Check.

Dig out the winter coats, gloves, hats, boots and scarves from the closet where they have been buried since April.

Check.

Make travel plans to go skiing or visit a warmer climate.

Check.

Schedule a furnace checkup.

Check.

Winterize the family vehicle.

Check?

“In the winter, it seems you neglect to check them (vehicles) over because it’s too cold to check them over,” said Randy Peterson, service manager at Crossroads Ford.

Peterson said if it has been a while since a vehicle has been tuned up, now would be a good time.

“Early to mid-fall, before we get a freeze, usually is a good time,” said Mike Morgan, service manager at Midway Chevrolet Buick Cadillac about when to start winterizing vehicles.

Peterson said in addition to checking hoses, belts, steering, suspension and brakes, there are three major things to check for when winterizing a vehicle: antifreeze, battery condition and tire condition.

Doug New, manager and owner of Garrett Tire Tread and Appliances, said it is important to check the antifreeze to make sure “it’s tested cold enough for the temperatures we see around here.”

Peterson said it is a good idea to have the battery load tested before the temperatures get too cold.

“A weak battery always waits until it’s really cold or really hot to show up,” Peterson said. Although the battery may be working in 40- to 50-degree weather, it may not hold up in 20-degree weather, he said.

New said as long as there is the correct air pressure in a good all-season tire, the tires should be fine through winter. He said it is important to remember that when temperatures drop, tire pressure also drops.

“If you don’t check your tires going into winter, they will all be low, and that can create low fuel mileage and heat that creates blowouts,” New said.

Peterson said tire pressure during the winter should be whatever is recommended for the car.

Morgan said wiper blades should also be checked to make sure they are in good working condition.

New also suggests checking the windshield wiper fluid. He said there are summer fluids and winter fluids. Be sure to have the winter equivalent washer fluid in the vehicle. Otherwise, he said, the fluid will freeze.

e-mail to:

sarah.mulder@kearneyhub.com