Oil: Change your car's engine oil and oil filter as recommended by the manufacturer. If you're changing the oil yourself, make sure to refill with an oil rated for cold weather.
Headlights: Inspect all lights and replace burned-out bulbs. Have badly weathered or hazy plastic headlight lenses restored for better visibility and increased safety. Learn more about headlights and how to maintain them.
Engine and exhaust: Have any Check Engine lights or other engine problems corrected as soon as possible. Have your vehicle’s exhaust system examined for leaks, including floorboards and trunk.
Tires: Get your tires rotated every 5,000–7,500 miles. Check the tires' pressures once a month. If you live in a cold climate, consider a set of dedicated snow tires. (Not sure what kind of tires you need? Learn about the different kinds of tires and what they're good for.)
Battery: Batteries typically last 3–5 years, and failures are common in winter because of increased cold-starting electrical loads. If your battery is old, have it tested.
Cooling system: Flush and refill the cooling system with factory-approved coolant at the interval specified by the manufacturer. A 50/50 mix of coolant and water is usually recommended.
Heater and defroster: Check for proper system operation to ensure visibility and passenger comfort. Replace the cabin air filter at intervals specified by your car’s manufacturer.
Windshield wipers: Replace worn wipers and fill the windshield washer system with winter solvent. If you live in a harsh climate, buy beam-type or rubber-clad blades that help prevent ice buildup.