Heavy Snow’s in the Winter Forecast. Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Ready.

We've had a few mild winters lately, but the Farmer's Almanac is encouraging us to buckle up for a wild ride:

This year our prediction is very different, with the possibility of a blizzard hitting the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states during the second week of February. This storm may bring up to 1-2 feet of snow to cities from Washington, D.C. to Boston, Massachusetts!

It sounds like we're in for a cold and snowy winter, and you want to make sure your vehicle is prepared. Our friends at Levine Auto Parts helped us put together some prep tips.

1) Make sure your emergency kit is properly stocked. No one plans to get stranded, but you don't want to be left in the cold if you do. Make sure you have first aid supplies, extra warm clothing, an ice scraper, a folding shovel, flares and sand or non-clumping litter to help with traction. Click here for a comprehensive list from TakeWinterByStorm.com.

2) Change your windshield wiper fluid to a solution that can handle low temps. And while you're at it, replace your windshield wipers if they streak or skip. During snow or freezing rain, you'll want to be able to easily maintain your field of vision.

3) Keep your gas tank at least half full. "The extra gas helps reduce condensation that can plug your fuel line with ice and stall your engine in cooler weather," according to TakeWinterByStorm.com.

4) Check your tire pressure. Also, remember to check it again when temperatures drop significantly in a short period of time.

5) Check your coolant and anti-freeze levels, and switch to winter-grade oil at your next oil change. "In general, the colder the weather, the thinner you want the oil in your engine to be," according to U.S. News. "The viscosity of your oil in colder weather is indicated by the first number in the oil specification, with a lower number indicating better viscosity in cold weather. For example, a 5W-30 oil is better in the winter than a 10W-30 oil."

As you're working through these tips, don't forget: Levine Auto & Truck Parts is one of the state's largest after-market auto and truck parts supplier. They have four warehouses and more than 150,000 part numbers in stock. They even have snow plow lights and parts that can transform your truck into a snow-moving machine!

Stop by one of their eight locations or shop online with convenience at levineauto.com.