It probably isn't news that the weather can get pretty crummy here in Indianapolis between December and March, and considering how many commuters and holiday travelers navigate our roads despite the onslaught of ice and snow, it probably is an appropriate time for us to discuss how to prepare your vehicle for this frigid season. Here in the Midwest, winterizing your vehicle at your friendly neighborhood Volkswagen service center is something every driver really should undertake before getting stuck in the worst of the oncoming weather.

First and foremost, we highly recommend installing winter tires for the next few months, as they feature special rubber that responds better to the cold and deeper tread that responds better to the precipitation. Furthermore, there are special winter windshield wipers that perform better with all the ice and snow that causes so much trouble for drivers. Along those same lines, it's important to keep your washer fluid topped off, as you do not want to be caught driving blind because smudged salt and dirt has made your windshield completely opaque. For that matter, keeping a half tank of gas at all times makes sure you've at least got heat should you slide off the road in a way that makes it impossible to reach help immediately.

Finally, we encourage you to keep an emergency kit in your trunk, which should include a blanket, a flashlight, road flares, a first aid kit, an ice scraper and maybe even a little snow shovel. Adding a few bags of snacks and some extra bottles of water wouldn't hurt anything either, just in case you're stranded longer than expected.

Get your Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Golf, or any other VW vehicle serviced here at Tom Wood Volkswagen today to get your automobile ready for the upcoming winter season.