How experts say to get cars ready for winter

Is your car ready for the winter? John Dean, manager at the Firestone Complete Auto Care in Norwood, said the time to get ready is now. Dean recommends four things: Brakes. Check the pads. Too much wear will mean replacing pads and rotors. Blades. Winter wiper blades can clear more snow. Dean said they have a curve that holds closer to the curve of the windshield. Battery. Once a battery's charge gets down to 40 percent, it's time for a new one, according to Dean. It's also a good idea to keep jumper cables and some kind of roadside emergency kit. Tires. It's important to know your car's recommended tire pressure (look inside the door panel). Check the tread with the penny test - it should cover Lincoln's head. And Dean said to consider winter tires, which handle better. "If those four things are in good share going into winter months, you're probably going to survive the winter," Dean said.