Severe weather forecasts are a meteorologist's dream, but while the impact of El Nino remains to be seen, it is important to prevent car accidents and expensive repair bills by taking steps to winterize our vehicles. Even the most high-tech new cars today cannot easily adapt to winter weather without help. NAPA (National Automotive Parts Association) offers these seven simple tips to prevent common cold automotive conditions.

1. Battery Check. During a typical winter rush hour, the car battery has to handle the strain of idling in heavy traffic along with operating the headlights, heater, defroster, rear window de-fogger, wipers and radio. "It is important to have your battery `load-tested' by an ASE-certified automotive technician each year before the foul weather hits," said Jim Kiple, NAPA director of technical services. Numerous vehicles strand passengers each year because the batteries can't carry the load.

2. Fluid Check. There are five key fluids that are necessary for safe vehicle operation. In winter, antifreeze is one of the most important. Kiple says that antifreeze should be changed by a technician every two years. Other fluids to check are oil (which should be changed every 3,000-4,000 miles); power steering fluid; transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid. "Drivers can take a quick look under the hood and see if these fluids are up to the fill line, and remedy low fluids themselves," said Kimple.

3. Tire Tread Check. Tire tread is an important safety point. Worn tires not only tend to hydroplane, but they can also blow out in icy conditions. A quick trick to check the tread is to insert a penny into a groove. Put Lincoln's head in first, and if you can see any part of the head, the tread has worn past its legal limit. If the tread is deeper on the outside of the tire than the inside, it may be more economical to have them rotated rather than replaced.

4. Tire Pressure Check. Cold temperature causes air to contract. In most areas of the country, a twenty-degree drop can make a five to six-pound difference in tire pressure. Low pressure tires don't meet the road properly, and such tires fail to shed water effectively. These conditions can lead to hydroplaning or sliding on icy pavement-hazardous and potentially life-threatening situations.

5. Wiper Blade Check. Summer rain combined with the smog, heat and ozone causes significant wear and tear of wiper blades. "It's good insurance to put fresh set of blades on each year regardless of how they look to you," says Kiple. Changing wiper blades will prevent accidents due to poor visibility.

6. Brake Check. When it rains, it's easy to get caught in deep water unexpectedly. Standing water is often dirty, and this grit gets between the brake components, causing brakes to wear quickly. NAPA suggests a thorough pre-winter brake inspection by an ASE-certified specialist to ensure driver safety.

7. Clean the Engine. Road dust from the summer tends to collect inside the hood. This accumulation affects spark plug wires, distributor caps and charging systems, causing them to work improperly. When the layers of dust get wet during hard rain or snowy conditions, they force spark plug currents to go to other places and belts to get off track. "Consumers who own cars with 30,000 to 40,000 miles should have their technician change the spark plugs and clean the distributor caps, cable connections and battery terminals," suggests Kiple. "A sound engine is a simple key to safe driving during the winter months."

The NAPA AutoCare Center program is the largest network of independently owned repair facilities in the world and has almost 8,500 members nationwide. In order to qualify for membership, business owners must agree to follow a strict code of ethics, employ ASE-certified technicians for any repair services they provide, and guarantee parts and labor through the "NAPA Peace of Mind Warranty" program.