CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - With the change in seasons here and cooler weather on the way, safety experts say drivers should take care of their vehicles now to prevent any possible breakdowns on the road this winter. According to AAA, getting ready for winter starts with checking tires. Tires lose about one pound per square inch of pressure for every 10 degrees the outside air temperature drops. It's recommended drivers check their tires for bald spots and bulges caused by road hazards as well as tread depth. And in areas with heavy snowfall, drivers should switch to winter tires. "You know, you got to stay on top of that routine maintenance, not just to avoid breakdowns, but for safety reasons. So getting those brakes check to make sure that you have all that stopping power, you're going to need. And if you have any warning lights or any other things on your dash telling you that you need to get your car in for service, don't ignore it, said Public Affairs Specialist for AAA Northeast, Mark Schieldrop. AAA also recommends you take care of your defroster, heater, and wiper blades. Batteries that are over three years old should also be tested to make sure they can hold a charge and connections are tight. Local News Headlines Safety experts recommend conducting a maintenance check on your car ahead of the winter season Springfield celebrates Italian Heritage Month with flag raising Author Esmeralda Santiago speaks at Springfield Library Retired Pentagon military officer weighs in on Iran’s missile strikes WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.