In our part of the country, basketball season is also the winter season. You rely on your vehicle to get to your games. So it’s critical that you prepare your car or truck for winter and make sure that it is in good working order. To help you do so, AAA Southern New England has published numerous winter driving tips.

Here are some of the highlights:

Make sure your battery is strong, charged, and clean

Cold weather is tough on batteries. At zero degrees, a car’s battery loses about 60 percent of its strength. At a comparatively mild 32 degrees, a battery is 35 percent weaker. The most common sign of a weak battery is an unusual sound coming from the starter motor when the ignition key is turned, indicating difficulty in starting the engine. 

If the vehicle is difficult to start, check that the battery connections are tight and no corrosion is present on the battery terminal. To remove corrosion, use an old toothbrush to clean the cable connectors and terminals with a solution of baking soda and water. Keeping battery terminals clean helps, but a load test performed by a qualified technician will help determine whether a car’s battery is strong enough for winter starts.

Check your tires

Make sure your car is equipped with tires that are able to handle Connecticut’s winter weather. For most motorists, all–season tires are adequate. In more northern or mountainous regions, replacing your tires with four snow tires will help give your vehicle traction for slippery and snowy road conditions. Check your tires for tread wear and pressure. Be sure to check your spare tire, too.

Drive, don’t skate

In temperatures at or just above 32 degrees, a thin layer of water can cover the ice, causing extremely slippery conditions. The distance needed to stop on ice at 32 degrees is twice as long as at zero degrees.

Keep your engine cool

Make certain cooling system antifreeze is mixed with an equal portion of water for maximum protection.

Make sure other drivers can see you

Danger must be seen to be avoided. Driving with a snow-covered windshield, windows, side-view mirrors or lights invites a crash. Clear windows, mirrors and lights with an ice scraper, brush or spray de–icer. Make certain windshield wipers and defrosters are in good working order and that washer reservoirs are filled with no–freeze windshield washer fluid.

Keep windshields clean

You will likely use your windshield wipers to wipe of not only snow, but the sludge that is sprayed at you by the vehicle in front of you. So keep a container of windshield washer fluid in the car and make sure the fluid contains antifreeze.

Be ready to de-ice

A squirt of de-icer spray is a quick method to overcome frozen door locks.

Protect your vehicle from the elements

Road salt, slush and grime are especially hard on a car’s finish. To help prevent rust and paint damage, keep cars washed and waxed. A full or self-service car wash makes the job easier when temperatures are low.

Here are some additional recommendations for items you should have in your car during the winter:

Flashlight, jumper cables, scraper and snow brush, a small shovel, warning devices including flares and reflective triangles, blankets, gloves, hat, boots, cell phone and charger, an abrasive material such as sand or cat litter to spread under your wheels to improve traction if you get stuck in the snow or ice and some bottles of water for your journey.