The North Dakota Department of Transportation maintains over 3,000 vehicles during the winter, and has some tips on how you can keep your vehicle winter ready:

Batteries are much weaker in cold weather, so keep your vehicle’s battery fully charged.

Tires should have M+S or All Season tread and be in good condition.

Brakes should be checked and serviced if necessary. Even braking on all four wheels will lessen the chance of skids on slippery roads.

Make sure your vehicle’s exhaust system has no leaks. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and can accumulate quickly in closed vehicles.

Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition. Keep the windshield washer reservoir filled with antifreeze solvent.

Check the radiator, heater core and all hoses that carry anti-freeze solution to see that they are in good condition and free of leaks. Also check to see that the solution is good to at least 40 below zero.

Make sure you have winter weight oil (usually 5W-30) in the engine.

Emergencies can happen when you least expect them, so be sure to carry a winter survival kit in your vehicle.