Winter is here. If you own a BMW, now's the time to make sure that you've taken the necessary steps to safeguard your investment. Harsh, winter weather can wreak havoc on your BMW, especially if you haven't taken precautions. Before you continue driving your BMW this winter, here are four questions you need to ask yourself. 

How Old is Your Battery?

When it comes to winter driving conditions, the first question you need to ask concerns your battery. If your battery is old and outdated, it won't have the power to get your BMW started. If your battery is more than a few years old, or you can't remember when you last had it replaced, stop by a BMW repair shop and have them conduct a test. They'll be able to determine whether you need a new battery, or whether your current one has enough life left to get your car through the winter. 

Does Your Coolant Need to be Replaced? 

When it comes to coolant, most people think about the warmer spring and summer months. Unfortunately, coolant is equally important during the winter. If you've got the wrong coolant in your BMW, or your coolant has lost its effectiveness, you need to stop by your BMW repair shop to have your cooling system flushed as soon as possible. Degraded coolant can destroy your engine. 

What's the Condition of the Tires?

When it comes to winter travel in your BMW, you can't afford to take chances with the tires. If you endured an extreme summer, with above-average temperatures, and your BMW was outside a good portion of the time, your tires could have suffered sun damage. Unfortunately, exposing sun-damaged tires to extremely cold temperatures could lead to serious problems. In fact, you could experience a blowout while you're driving this winter. Inspect your tires for sun damage as soon as possible. If your tires appear to be cracked, have them replaced as soon as possible. It's also important to note that winter is the perfect time to invest in all-season or winter-grade tires for your BMW. The upgraded tires will give you the traction and control you need for winter driving. 

Do the Belts and Hoses Show Signs of Age? 

Finally, now that winter is here, you need to know the condition of your belts and hoses. Cold weather can cause your belts and hoses to become brittle. If that happens to already age-worn belts and hoses, they could fail you at some point during the winter. Before you're left stranded on the side of the road this winter, have your belts and hoses inspected by a certified BMW repair shop like August European.