We almost hate to talk about it, but you all knew it was coming: It's time yet again to winterize your vehicle for another Maine winter.

We survived our first Maine winter last year (and after that, we can handle anything), but the Jeep struggled. After all, central Maine saw well more than 100 inches of snow last winter, freezing temperatures and a minor ice storm. When your car, truck or van has to sit outside instead of in a garage, it can be a lot for it to take in one season.

This year, we're going to prepare our baby (er, Jeep) to better face the elements.

And so are many of you. We asked you loyal (and loyal-in-the-making) readers how you prepare your own vehicles for Maine's harsh winter. This week's column is all about basic winterizing tips from folks who work on vehicles for a living and folks like you who just love driving them.

Reader Brian Tarbuck, of Readfield, said he gets his and the Mrs.'s vehicles in tip-top winter-weather shape with tires that can grip snow.

"We got cheapy Firestone (tires) for my wife's Outback and the thing is unstoppable in the snow," Tarbuck said.

Tarbuck doesn't consider himself an expert, but said from personal experience that "snow tires are the single best defense against winter conditions. Modern 'studless' snowtires are outstanding and don't beat up the roads like studs do."

Tarbuck said he recommends www.tirerack.com for help on selecting the right snow tires for your vehicle. You can also buy the tires online or find a local vendor who does.

"When you consider that the most dangerous thing you do every day is drive, factor in long stopping distances and unpredictable lateral control caused by slippery roads and the risk increases exponentially. Snow tires are the single best defense against winter conditions," Tarbuck said.

But what about the inside of your car? A wise man we know, better known as the Kennebec Commuter's father, was famous for saying, "Check the anti-freeze in the car. Have you checked the anti-freeze yet? You need to get that checked."

Appreciative nagging aside, Pa Commuter has a point. Just like the exterior of your vehicle, the mechanical systems need TLC if they're going to make it through winter.

We called our trusted mechanic, Dave Palmer, owner of Augusta's Rotary Garage, to give us the scoop on winterizing our car's innards.

"There are two important things to remember in the winter, and one is anti-freeze," Palmer said. "Ice expands and when it does, it can break radiators, engines, just a number of things."

Having your car's anti-freeze checked ensures that your car won't freeze up and bust the essentials, such as the radiators and engines Palmer mentioned.

Also, Palmer told us, have your mechanic check the pH balance of the coolant. Coolant is a fluid that, as its name suggests, prevents car parts, such as the engine, from overheating. If not regularly checked and updated, coolant can corrode the inside of your vehicle, Palmer warned.

"It's very important to have your cooling system flushed or recycled," Palmer said. "If the pH turns acidic, things can get rotted or rusted out."

The typical price tag to have the oil changed, the fluids inspected and the whole vehicle checked out for anything broken or worn is $75, Palmer said. The price tag to replace a corroded radiator in the middle of winter, though, is considerably higher: into the hundreds of dollars.

"People are mad, what with the economy and how the country is going right now, and I understand," Palmer said. "But also, times are not good to be neglecting your car."

Follow Meghan Malloy's commuter blog and track the cheapest gasoline prices in town daily at www.kjonline.com.