There's a real nip in the air here in Yonkers, N.Y. The winter solstice on December 21st is a mere two weeks away. The seasonal change is a clear signal to get our cars into good shape for the coming winter months. So vacuum up any remaining grains of sand from your floor mats and put your boogie board into storage. Now’s the time to give your car a winter season check-up.

For those in colder climes, consider buying a fresh set of winter tires and brush up on safe winter driving tips before the snow arrives. Make sure you’ve got these 12 things in your car in case of a roadside mishap. And you might consider keeping one of these traction aids in your trunk.

If you live in a temperate climate, good, year-round maintenance will help your car run reliably; our Tires and Care Car section has advice on keeping your ride in top form.

—Desiree Calamari