Some students don’t think about it until it’s too late, but taking care of a car is essential in these frigid winter months.

While many people leave it up to fate if their car will start in the morning, preparations can be made to circumvent this gamble.

Bob Noble, owner of Midas Auto Service Experts in Sycamore, said the most important thing is to keep up on regular maintenance, such as conducting oil changes and battery checks. He also said it’s necessary to have good tire pressure and to not let your gas tank get too low.

Leslie Piatt, service adviser at DeKalb Motor Works, 316 E. Taylor St., said routine maintenance is not enough and changing oil is just the tip of the iceberg. Piatt said to check tire pressure and test the car battery regularly. Fluids should be changed every two years or 30,000 miles, and spark plugs should be replaced every 60,000 miles. Air filters should also be checked.

Piatt said people who follow these precautions rarely have problems. Many don’t follow these tips, causing her to refer to her shop as “Grand Central Station” this week.

University Police have some tips for students who find themselves stranded in the cold. UP Lt. Curtis Young said officers are experienced in dealing with these situations.

Young said if help is needed, don’t hesitate to call the police. Squad cars carry jump-start packs. After signing a waiver, these packs can be used to revive a dead battery. These are also available in the residence halls for use by on-foot officers.

Students should keep supplies in their car in case they become stranded in a remote location, Young said.

It’s a good idea to have a blanket, flashlight and even dried food.

Young said the most frequent issue is batteries that have expired. He recommends checking the age of the battery and keeping an extra battery in your car.