A good winter-prep routine starts with the basics. Cold weather can put additional demands on your GMC's battery, tires, fluids, brakes, and other systems, so fall is a good time to make sure everything is in good working order. Start by checking your tire pressure and tread depth, since properly inflated tires are especially important when roads are wet or slippery. It's also worth checking the battery, windshield wipers, washer fluid, lights, brakes, and engine fluids before the temperatures drop.

Your GMC's climate-control system deserves some attention, too. Make sure the heater and windshield defroster are working properly so you can clear condensation, frost, or ice when you need to get moving. If your GMC has four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, winter is also a good time to make sure you're familiar with the system and that everything is operating as expected. 4WD and AWD can help with traction, but they don't eliminate the need for appropriate tires or careful driving. WSDOT notes that even 4WD/AWD vehicles may be required to carry or use chains under certain winter conditions.

Once your GMC is mechanically ready, think about what you'd want to have with you if a normal commute suddenly turns into a much longer trip. WSDOT's winter checklist includes items such as a flashlight, phone charger or battery booster, tire chains, blanket, ice scraper and snow brush, jumper cables, water, food, gloves, boots, a first-aid kit, and traction material such as sand or kitty litter.*

You may not need all of those items every time you drive from Renton to Tukwila, but having a winter kit stored in your GMC means you're not scrambling to assemble one when a storm is already moving in. And if you're heading over a mountain pass, chains deserve particular attention. Washington can impose traction and chain requirements as conditions change, and WSDOT recommends that people traveling in winter weather or through mountain passes carry chains and know how to use them.

It's also worth making sure the cargo area stays organized. Keep your emergency supplies somewhere accessible rather than buried underneath everything else in the vehicle. And before a winter drive, clear snow and ice from the entire vehicle, including the roof, rather than just scraping the windshield and leaving the rest behind.

Getting your GMC ready is only half of winter preparation. You also want to know what your vehicle can do, and when to use those capabilities. Depending on your GMC model and configuration, you may have features such as four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, traction control, or selectable drive modes designed to help manage different road conditions. Take some time before winter arrives to understand what those settings actually do and how to activate them.

The biggest mistake is treating a traction feature as a substitute for adjusting your driving. Even a well-equipped GMC still needs more stopping distance on slippery pavement. Slow down before curves, leave additional space between you and the vehicle ahead, and avoid abrupt braking, acceleration, or steering.

That might simply mean giving yourself more time on a cold, wet morning. If you're heading toward the Cascades, however, it's smart to check current road and traction conditions before leaving. WSDOT provides real-time road information, traffic cameras, and mountain-pass updates to help drivers make that decision before they get on the road.