"Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we've no place to go, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!" Such a beautiful holiday song! Of course living in San Diego most of us don't see too much actual snow, much less spend time driving in it. But if you're planning any road trips this winter, especially up to the mountains, please make sure your car is winter ready!

Here are a few tips to help you stay safe on the roads this winter:

Tires: Tires are the number one factor in winter driving safety. When was the last time you had your tires replaced? If it was recently, have you been getting them rotated regularly? Many people forget to get this done, which means these so-called "new" tires are wearing unevenly and could actually be unsafe. Make sure you visually inspect your tires for uneven wear, and loss of tread. Better yet, have a professional inspect them! Balding tires do not grip the road effectively and they increase your breaking distance substantially - especially in wet or icy road conditions. Remember: Worn out tires aren't safe on dry pavement, but they are downright dangerous on rainy, snowy or icy roads. Be sure to get those tires inspected, rotated, and replaced if necessary right away! You can always make an appointment at your local Mossy Nissan service center - for any service needs!

Winter Survival Kit: Planning a road trip to go skiing or snowboarding? Make sure you have a winter survival kit in your car in case things don't go as planned! It only takes a few minutes to gather most of these items and they could save your life!

Your kit should include:

• Blankets, socks, hats, mittens to keep you and your passengers warm
• A source of heat like a can heater or multiple wick candle - don't forget matches or a lighter!
• Water and a metal container suitable for melting snow into drinking water
• Food - such as hard candy, energy bars, nuts and raisins
• Bright red or orange cloth and whistle to signal for help
• An AM/FM radio plus a flashlight - both with new batteries!

Other lifesavers! A shovel, a good spare tire, jumper cables, tire chains, road flares and a small tool kit can become your lifesavers if a bad situation comes around!

Stay warm and safe! If your car gets stuck in snowy conditions, and you need to keep your car running for heat, make that your exhaust pipe is not blocked off by snow! Run the engine and heater for 10 minutes every hour depending on the amount of gas in your tank. If there is heavy snow or sleet coming down, keep one window slightly open so you don't get sealed inside your car!

We want all our drivers to be safe this season, and we hope this helps those of you traveling to snowy climates. Mossy Nissan can help you get ready for these holiday trips with a FREE winter car care inspection, a winter car care package, or a 27-point inspection here. We wish you a safe holiday season this year!

Mossy Nissan knows that having the best weather in America has its benefits. But now that fall is finally setting in, is your car ready for the change in seasons? Mossy Nissan wants you and your car to be safe, so we've made an important checklist that will have your car in good shape for San Diego fall weather, which can be very hot, very cool and sometimes very rainy. Having regular maintenance on your vehicle is, of course, highly recommended, but any change in seasons calls for extra-special attention to your tires, batteries, brakes and more!

• Windshield wipers: In San Diego we don't get a whole lot of rain, but as we all know when it rains here, it really comes down hard! So this is the time to replace those old sun-baked blades with a fresh set.
• Battery: Did you know that the extreme heat of summer months actually reduces battery life? Get your battery checked now instead of calling for a jump-start later!
• Brakes: Regular maintenance is always important for brakes, but wet weather calls for extra attention to that area! Rain, plus worn brakes is a recipe for a fender bender or worse!
• Belts & Hoses: Two of the most important overlooked areas of vehicle care are belts and hoses. Having them snap or leak can quickly leave you at a standstill on the road or even damage your engine. Inspect every belt and hose; be sure to check for thinning or cracking just in case!
• Lights: During fall and winter, it gets darker earlier, so it's also important to check the head and tail lamps on your vehicle to make sure that you are highly visible to those around you.

You've obviously gone through this quick fall car care checklist, but those around you might still be in the dark on how to care for their vehicle! Do you have any other tips of your own for this oncoming winter season? Don't forget that at Mossy Nissan we are fully experienced on winter car care, so if you choose to service your Nissan with Mossy, be sure to check out our service specials. If you'd like to book an appointment with Mossy Nissan you can do that here!