No matter where you live, cold weather prep is important for a vehicle.

Even in hotter regions, car experts recommend cold weather-prepping cars for several reasons:

• Warm regions sometimes experience freak snow or ice storms.
• You may need to drive your car from a warmer region to a colder part of the country.
• Even moderate temperature changes can affect tires and car batteries.
• Winter weather includes snow, ice, hail and rain — all of which affect vehicle performance.

A few basic car parts need winter preparation:

• Battery
• Tires
• Cooling system (radiator and hoses)
• Brakes

The first thing to do is evaluate your battery. An old or weak battery may not survive its first contact with cold winter weather. Here are a few things you can do to diagnose a weak battery:

• Batteries older than two years are typically weaker.
• Headlights that noticeably dim after an engine rev indicate a weak battery.
• Weak batteries also have a hard time starting the engine when you turn the key.

You should also inspect your tires. Do they have enough tread on them? Have old, worn and bald tires replaced. Rotate new tires to avoid premature wear.

If you live in an area that gets snow and ice, consider switching to winter tires for better traction. Ordinary tires do not have the same gripping power. You will really appreciate winter tires when trying to get out of a snowdrift or while backing out of a snowy driveway. Those who live in areas with mild snow and ice should consider using "all season" tires.

The next step is to make sure you have enough antifreeze in your system. Antifreeze is crucial because:

• It prevents water from freezing in your hoses.
• It prevents water from freezing in your radiator.
• It protects your car from the freezing-water damage in the hoses and cooling system.

You can easily check the antifreeze.

• Look under the hood for the reservoir labeled "engine coolant" or "antifreeze."
• Every reservoir has a line that indicates full.
• If the fluid is not up to that mark, fill it or let a professional fill it for you.

If you do inspect your own antifreeze, check to see if it is clean or dirty. If you see dirt or grit floating in the antifreeze, you may need a mechanic to drain the old antifreeze and replace it with a clean batch.

Finally, have your brakes checked before the snow starts falling. This is very important because:

• Old or worn brakes are not effective on the snow and ice.
• Stopping distances become greater

This problem is worsened on snow and ice, where accidents are most likely to occur.