Before it gets seriously cold, set yourself up to save money on maintenance and protect your personal safety. Here are four tips to help you prepare your vehicle for winter!

Have the fluids checked. Antifreeze fluid keeps your engine from freezing when temperatures drop below 32 degrees. Without adequate antifreeze, your engine may not start, or it could shut off at an inconvenient time. You should also ask your mechanic to check your brake fluid and windshield wiper fluid.

Replace the wiper blades. The accumulation of snow on your windshield can easily damage your wiper blades – so be sure to invest in a sturdy pair that you can install before the snow arrives. It’s also not a bad idea to keep a replacement pair of blades in your trunk!

Switch to winter tires. While all-season tires provide combined benefits from both summer and winter tires, they are not ideal for drivers battling extreme cold, ice, and snow during the winter months. A good rule of thumb is to switch to winter tires once temperatures consistently drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check your motor oil. When was the last time you had your engine’s oil checked? Among the fluids, motor oil is one of the most vital as it keeps your engine clean and running. Visit your local mechanic to have your oil changed before the cold sets in.

Are you in the market for a winter-friendly vehicle? As a SeaComm member, you might already be pre-approved for a new or used auto loan through our loan pre-approval program, LoanEngine™. If you qualify for a pre-approved offer, you’ll be presented with it through our SeaComm Mobile app or NetTeller™ in the “My Offers” tab, via email, and/or a letter through the mail. Click here to login to your NetTeller™ to view your current offers! If you don’t have any offers at this time, be sure to check back every 60 days.

Begin your search for the perfect vehicle with our online auto-buying center, GarageGizmo! Visit GarageGizmo.org or click here to get started.