SNOW AND GO; Preparation is the key to handling the worst Mother Nature dishes out.(testing of automobiles)

Byline: ROGER HART

Winter drives can be memorable for a dead battery that leaves you stranded or a slide into a snowbank that requires a tow truck. But it doesn't have to be that way. Winter driving can be an enjoyable experience with a little preparation and some basic understanding of how a vehicle reacts in slippery conditions.

Getting ready for winter should include a check of your vehicle's cooling, charging, braking and suspension systems and especially your tires. The time to do it is now, before the first major winter storm.

If your car wears sport tires and you plan to drive it in snowy conditions, you need to switch to snow tires or, at least, all-season rubber. But remember, all-season tires are a compromise. The best traction you can get in snow and ice is from snow tires. This might be the most important preparation you can make.

Once your car's ready, it's time to think about getting yourself ready as a winter driver.

We asked Mark Cox for some tips. He's director at the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and he knows a thing or two about controlling a vehicle in wintry conditions. Here are five things he says we should remember when the road gets slippery.

1. KNOW YOUR CAR. Antilock brakes are great to have in panic-stop situations, because you still can steer the vehicle as you stop. If your vehicle doesn't have ABS, in addition to pumping the brakes in order to stop, you need to lift your foot off the brake in order to steer. But ABS can't perform ...