Winter has arrived and having a car prepared for the elements could save time, money and even one’s life.

Sycamore Auto Parts employee Steve Franklin said some basic things drivers need during the winter season are a windshield scraper to remove the ice and snow from vehicle windows and a bag of salt to melt snow around the tires.

Jumper cables, flares and extra antifreeze are helpful in case of an emergency, Franklin said. Having warm clothes and blankets can come in handy if motorists are stranded in the cold, he said.

Some steps Franklin said drivers can take to prevent a break down and help cut down on winter car damages are to have cars checked before winter. Having the necessary repairs made before winter will ensure everything is working correctly, he said.

Also, Franklin suggested having the battery checked because the battery might need to be replaced after the summer season.

Another safety tip is to have plenty of gas in the tank. Franklin said keeping the tank full will prevent the car from freezing up and causing car damage. Motorists stranded in ditches often waste gas trying to get out, eventually causing equipment to freeze, he said.

Road salt can cause some problems for car owners, too. Franklin suggested washing the car frequently to keep salt off the vehicle and help prevent rust. Letting the car dry in the sun or outdoors, rather than in a garage, can cut down on rust problems, he said.

Franklin said a citizens band radio can come in handy, but he added not all drivers in DeKalb need CBs. If a driver skids off the road or gets stuck in the snow, Franklin said to use salt to melt the snow around the tires. If that does not free the car, Franklin said the driver will probably not be able to free the car without the help of a tow truck.

The best thing stranded motorists can do is to put out a flare and stay in the car to wait for help, Franklin said. He said it is easy to spot a flare and sooner or later someone will come by to help.