Next to a home or funding a college education, your car is one of life's biggest investments. Protect it and you protect your wallet. Car manufacturers and car care experts agree: when it comes to preparing your car for the cold and snow, it is best to be as proactive as possible.

"Now-a-days, cars are a lot easier to maintain," says Ron Skramstad, a mechanic with Firestone Car Service Center in Newburgh. "Still, we see a lot of cars come in during the winter months whose owners just didn?t do the regular maintenance." Ignoring the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule could spell disaster for your engine as well as your wallet, Skramstad says.

Bill Rogers, a mechanic with Monroe Muffler and Brake in Newburgh suggests that too many folks treat their vehicles like they treat themselves - only seeing a specialist when something is wrong. "A lot of people wait until they hear a squeak or a hum or a buzz before they see a mechanic. Doing what your owner's manual tells you to when it tells you to - like at 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 miles - is what helps keep you out of trouble in the first place."

To help your car happily humming down the cold, snowy, wet roads of winter, both Skramstad and Rogers offer the following tips:

Check that Radiator
Your car's radiator works to keep the high temperatures the motor generates from turning the engine into a twisted lump of metal. In many ways similar to your own circulatory system, the car's cooling system works best when it is in good condition.

"Near early October or so, you should think about getting your coolant system flushed and filled," Rogers says. "It can help keep the system up and prevent the coils [in the radiator] from rusting out."

The radiator fluid should be a bright neon yellow or pale green. If it is brownish, your radiator is definitely in need of servicing.

Skramstad adds that the coolant should also be pressure tested. ?It should be between 14 and 16 lbs, depending on the system.? Check your owner?s manual or ask your mechanic to be sure.

Look at the Tires
Even the best pair of shoes wear out. The best way to make sure your tires have enough tread to help the car handle and maneuver like it should is to check them regularly.

"Most places check the tires when you get an oil change," Skramstad says. To examine the tire for excessive wear, the tread depth is tested. "If you are near or above 6/32, your tires are in good shape. If they are around 4/32 or 2/32, it is time to replace them," Rogers says.

If your plan on putting snow tires on, Rogers says that they will do cars with rear-wheel drive the most good on the two back tires. Snow tires work best on cars that have front-wheel or four-wheel drive when put on all four wheels. Also, an alignment, which helps eliminate excessive tire wear, should be about every six months.

How 'Bout Those Hoses?
Hoses carry fluid (like antifreeze) from one part of the engine to another. When they are cracked or damaged, they can leak and cause the engine to overheat, even in the dead of January.

"You should check and make sure they are not too brittle or soft. They tend to break down from the inside, so when you notice gumminess or brittleness, they should be replaced," Skramstad says.

Power Up
The car gets power to start and operate things like the lights and horn from its battery.

"Although the batteries made today are self-contained and almost maintenance free, you still have to be able to get power from it to the rest of the car," Rogers says. Keeping the connection wires free from dirt and corrosion can help you get the power you need when you need it.

But, if you go to start your car on a particularly frigid morning and find that it won't, a set of booster cables are a necessity so you can get a jump start from another car's battery.

"The jump kits are great, too," Skramstad says. Flat and compact (a little longer than a laptop), jump kits allow you to jump your own battery without another car offering a helping hand. "They are not too expensive and they are definitely worth the investment."

Rogers says it pays to schedule a tune up for your car before winter arrives as well.
"It is important to make sure the [spark] plugs are O.K. and the wires are in good condition," he adds.

Top-Off Fluids
With all that metal under the hood, fluids are necessary to keep those metals from grinding against each other. Most people can find their oil dipstick but don't bother checking power steering, brake or automatic transmission fluids nearly as often.

"And don't forget about the windshield wiper fluid," says Skramstad. "You need it to help keep snow and ice from building up on the windshield."

Rogers also suggests switching to winter blades during the snow season. ?They do cost a little more than regular blades, but they keep ice from building up as you drive.?

"There's a lot to keeping up the mechanics on a car," Rogers adds. "A little preventative maintenance goes a long way."

Felicia Hodges is the editor of Tri-County Woman magazine.