Are you gearing up for that big holiday trip to Grandma’s house this Christmas? If you live in Kansas City, you’ll want to make sure your car is ready for winter travel (especially since it can be mild one day and snowy the next). Here are a few simple things you need to do for a safe holiday trip and to keep your car running well all winter long.

If you’re like most people, you’ve blown off that last service appointment. Now’s the time to get your car into the shop to have the oil changed, tires rotated and fluids filled. You’ll also want to have your car battery checked out so you don’t get stuck somewhere in snowy conditions.

You’ll want to check your windshield wipers to make sure they’re in good condition and can handle snow and ice. Did you know your windshield washer fluid can freeze? If you’re going north for the holiday, you may want to replace your fluid with one that can handle freezing temperatures.

Even with routine maintenance, it’s not uncommon for a car to break down in the winter and you certainly don’t want it to happen on a long road trip. However, if it does you need to be prepared. It’s a good idea to keep jumper cables in your trunk and an ice scraper handy. If you’re traveling somewhere with deep snow, throw a bag of sand and a shovel in your trunk in case you get stuck.

Finally, always keep your gas tank at least half full during the winter making it easier to start. And, be sure to scrape all the ice and snow off your car before driving as leftover ice chunks on the roof can limit your visibility and possibly cause an accident. With a little preparation, you can have safe travels during your holiday trip and throughout the winter months.