Inclement weather, distance and time are your friend or your enemy when driving and never is this more critical than in the winter, with snow, slush and ice a likely hazard on every road.

If your equipment is not up to standard, expect to take more time to get to your destination, says Alex Digenis, Henley Honda dealer. The Quebec government had a phenomenal idea in mandating the use of winter tires by all drivers, he adds. For no one should be driving without them and this is the time to get them put on.

"We do our best to measure the demand, but when people start having a near miss on the icy roads, our phones are ringing off the hook."

Meteorologists are forecasting a milder weather than in the past, but with lots more snow. That means your vehicle needs to be in top condition to prevent accidents and poor performance.

Follow your vehicle's maintenance schedule. It's there for a reason, says service adviser Mark Lewis. "As crazy as it may sound, vehicles that are taken care of know it and don't come in for unexpected repairs nearly as often as those that aren't. And it's always easier financially to handle and plan for scheduled maintenance than the unexpected."

Included in the list of things to be checked before the winter season are all fluid levels, lighting, brakes and especially windshield wiper blades, something often forgotten until a bad storm leaves you unable to see properly through a dirty windshield.

Be vigilant with tire pressure -- tires are the only thing that keep you in contact with the road. Take care of them and they will help take care of you.

How you drive and maintain your vehicle, whether it's young or old, has a common thread. Equipment determines what a car can and will not do, the dealer adds.

But driving is different now that so many vehicles are all-wheel or four-wheel drive. These give you a false sense of security, and you should be aware of that, Digenis warns.New drivers especially should not tackle winter driving without preparation, Digenis suggests, and advises them to practise on an empty parking lot or quiet snow-covered street before the weather gets really bad. This way they will get acquainted with traction control systems and anti-lock brakes. They will be better equipped to control their vehicles, becoming familiar with how the vehicle handles.

"Even those who have been driving for years should be aware of how the car handles and its performance limitations. Time and distance can get tricky at times, as much for experienced drivers as they are for new ones," Digenis points out.

"Check your equipment. You know once the winter starts, we can expect another four months of bad weather. So be prepared."

The type of car itself will govern how it handles, and front wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles handle differently on ice and snow. Practice driving will show you how. Mark Lewis suggests there's more to prepare for winter than the car's many parts and equipment, though. Before the bad weather sets in, set up your trunk so you can cope with breakdowns or accidents, he says. "Make sure you have flares, triangular standards, blankets, candles and a light source," he advises. A few chocolate bars or other edibles that will keep are also a good idea.