DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado's high altitude and temperature swings are especially hard on car tires and batteries. Auto expert Nile Crespo of The Import Mechanics told the FOX31 Problem Solvers that car batteries have a shorter life in Colorado, averaging about four years due to severe temperature shifts. Denver sees ‘unprecedented’ number of people seeking cold weather shelter “It's not shocking to see more common replacement of batteries than in a warm state,” he said. The tell-tale signs of a weak battery are obvious. A battery test can provide more peace of mind. “When you go to start the car the lights get very dim or maybe it doesn't start at all that could be an indication that one of these cold snaps has pushed your battery over the edge” said Crespo. Road safety can also depend on the quality of your tires. “On colder days you're going to see your pressures change a lot more from the lowest point to their highest point than in the summer when temperatures are more stable, so it's not unusual to need to top up your tires more frequently in the winter,” said Crespo. Modern cars have a tire pressure monitoring system that will alert drivers to problems but drivers should also inspect tires frequently. Colorado’s winter storm traction laws require vehicles to have either four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive or be mud- or snow-rated. Tires are required to have at least 3/16 inch tread depth. It is also important to check windshield wiper fluid levels and clean dirt and snow from headlights before driving in a winter storm due to low visibility. What to do if you are stuck in your car in extreme cold Crespo advises anyone who doesn’t regularly use their vehicle to start it every couple of weeks during severely cold temperatures. Police also warn against leaving your car unattended while warming it up, a practice called puffing, due to the heightened risk of theft. The American Automobile Association warns that when the temperature drops to 20 degrees the average electric vehicle’s range can be reduced by 41% when the heater is being used. Drivers should plan for longer charging times, safely warm the area where the car is stored if possible and remove snow and ice from the car before driving.