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When cold temperatures hit, many drivers inevitably will end up stranded either on the side of the road or without a car.

The good news is there are a few things you can do to stay prepared for car trouble.

KHQA's Jarod Wells got some tips from a local mechanic in this KHQA Safe Family Consumer Report.

When cold temperatures hit, sometimes it's not easy to start your car.

Mechanic Tom Haggerty said, "If it doesn't start right up, don't sit there and crank and crank until the battery is dead. That's hard on the battery, hard on the starter and you're going to create more problems."

Haggerty says if your car isn't starting, try to jump it for a little more power or call a tow truck.  There's a few things you can pay attention to to avoid walking out side to a dead car battery.

Haggerty said, "You'll notice that either your motor is going to crank pretty slow in the morning, you may notice that your headlights are going to be a little dimmer than normal."

Tom Haggerty says your fuel system is critical this time of the year.

Haggerty said, "Clean injectors. Put some good injector cleaner in your tank. Fuel filters changed."

You may notice your tires need more air than normal in the cold winter months.

Haggerty said, "This time of the year aluminum rims have a tendency to leak around the seal so your tires will go down quite a bit."

Finally, make sure your windshield washer fluid tank is full, with windshield washer fluid only.

Haggerty said, "Don't add water or anything. All it's going to do is dilute it. And on like a day like today, it's going to freeze up in a matter of a couple of hours."

Another thing to keep an eye on in the winter months is your 4X4, if your car has it.

Tom Haggerty says usually the 4X4 feature isn't used from spring to fall.

And when you go to use it the first time it may not turn on because your engine isn't used to it.

Haggerty says it's a good idea to use that feature once in a while throughout the year.