Ready for winter? Six tips to winterize your car.

5. Check the belts and hoses

Kiichiro Sato/AP/File
In this February file photo, hundreds of cars are seen stranded on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago after a winter blizzard of historic proportions. The onset of winter is a good time to check your car's belts and hoses. A broken belt can leave you stranded.

If your vehicle has a timing belt, it’s very important to replace it at the recommended interval (60,000 miles or more). Cold weather can reduce the life expectancy of belts and hoses, so make sure yours are in good shape before getting on the road. A stretched timing belt affects engine performance, and a broken belt can leave you stranded. If you have an interference engine, a broken belt will also cause engine damage! Check your vehicle owner’s manual to determine when the timing belt should be replaced, and contact the manufacturer to see if your vehicle has an interference engine (most cars on the road today have a non-interference engine). Always make sure you replace your timing belt in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

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