Odds are, if you asked your car where it would most like to be these days, it wouldn’t say, “Portland in the winter time.” And can you blame it, what with the cold, sleet, snow, and other winter nasties?

Winter will take a toll on your car, truck or SUV – inside and out. Cold temperatures make it harder for an engine to work properly. Snow and ice limit traction. Rain creates mud that gets tracked into the car. Potholes damage wheels and tires. Salt causes rust and gravel pits the paint. I can go on…

But there’s no need to fret, if you take the right steps to make sure your car is ready for the winter months.

Waxing – Invest in a professional wash and wax job. Doing it yourself may help some, but let the pros do the job. When washing it yourself, using household cleaners and even some store bought car cleaners will yield a result that’s less than ideal. Getting wax in and out of the nooks and crannies, and waxing in places non-pros often don’t consider will make a huge impact. This step is one of your primary lines of defense, so don’t go cheap or quick with it.

Headlight Check – Take a good look at your headlights. Are they aligned? Is one dimmer than the other? If you need to replace bulbs, do them as a set – same with restoring the headlight covers. Are the headlight covers faded? Driving with yellowed or faded headlights can be an extreme hazard as the darkness falls earlier in the day. If they are yellowed or faded, you should consider headlight restoration service.

Stop Stains Before They Happen – With the rain comes mud. And with your shoes, that mud gets into the car and can cause both water and mud stains in your car’s carpeting or upholstery. Get a pre-season treatment to prevent those stains before they happen.

Snow Tires and Chains – The condition of your car’s tires is critical during the winter. If the tires are worn, or they are high performance tires, braking, acceleration and handling are all negatively impacted while driving on slippery roads. Make sure you’ve got enough tread to be able to handle wet and icy conditions. And put a set of chains in the car – you never know when you’ll need them, especially if you’re a snow bunny.

Tire Pressure – It is critical to have properly inflated tires, as this guarantees the best possible contact between the tire and the road. A properly inflated tire will also help protect against wheel damage that might occur as the vehicle is driven over potholes. Read your owner’s manual to find the correct tire pressures.

Check your 4WD – Portland is an SUV mecca. If you’re an SUV owner, make sure the system engages and disengages smoothly, and that there are no strange noises coming from the drivetrain. Make sure that the transmission and gear oil levels are correct. Your owner’s manual will state at what speeds and environments the 4WD can be activated.

Belts & Hoses – Inspect belts and hoses – cold weather can be a killer on them, especially if they’re close to needing replacement.

New Wiper Blades and Fluid – Replace your blades if it’s been more then a couple months since you last replaced them, and make sure you’ve got a full supply of wiper fluid.

Battery Check – Cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle’s battery power by up to 50 percent. If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility. Also, make sure the posts and connections are free of corrosion. This is especially important if you park outside.

Anti-Freeze – The ideal mixture of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50:50. If the mixture deviates from this norm, then hot- and cold-weather performance can be compromised. You can check the radiator’s mixture by using an antifreeze tester, which can be purchased at all auto parts stores. If the mixture is off, adjust it by adding either coolant or water.

Gear Up for Emergencies – Make sure you’ve got an emergency kit in the trunk. Things you might want to consider carrying:

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