Hey everybody, just a reminder that when winter arrives (soggy carpets are a big clue) it's a wise time to give the outside of your car a once-over. Check all of the lights with a helper - turn on the headlamps, foot on the brakes and then the signals (all at the same time)- bad grounds may allow one or two of the lamps in a unit to work but may cut out all three when used at once.

Next time you're pulling into an underground parking lot have a quick look at the headlamp pattern on the wall in front of you - are they both in front of you or is one looking for spiders in the corner? roughly the same height? Speaking of pattern, is there one or just a blob of light on the wall? A set of halogen H4 lamps runs about $100 and can make the difference between seeing what you are about to hit and seeing what you are about to avoid - really the difference is amazing and any commuter car shouldn't be without them.

Wipers? You might need them in this locale. If they are recent, give them a wipe along the blade length with a paper towel at your next fill-up, if not then pop by Mostly Minis or Octagon for a new set.

Last up, have a peek at the tires, most importantly the fronts - few things a more frightening than becoming a passenger in a hydroplaning car. If you do find yourself in that position, do not react violently. Do not turn the wheel from your current path until the tires have found pavement again, otherwise you can very easily put the car into a spin. The cars inertia has it going in one direction, if you turn the wheel away from that direction while the front tires have no traction, then when traction is regained the car will dart sharply with potentially dire results.

Have a safe winter of motoring.