The first official day of winter won’t be here until late December, but with the recent storms, Mother Nature is sending a sign that it’s time to prepare your vehicle for the winter months ahead.

Routine maintenance is essential to protecting your vehicle year round, so if you haven’t taken your car in for checkup, now is the time. For all your maintenance needs, Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center in Brentwood is the one-stop shop for keeping your car at its top performance level.

Quick Lane, an affiliate of the Ford Motor Company, is an extension of the Bill Brandt Ford dealership, but the maintenance shop services all makes and models, and no appointment is required, so the service is convenient and flexible to your schedule regardless of the vehicle you drive.

“Quick Lane service offers a 27-point check system where we check everything from your brakes and tires to your filters and fluids,” said Parts and Services Director Rob Brandt. “We have factory-trained technicians who are very thorough with their work. We go over everything, and it’s all at a fair price. We try to meet or beat our competitors’ prices whenever possible.”

During a Quick Lane in-depth vehicle checkup report, technicians also examine the car’s lighting system, alignment, electrical components, suspension and steering, and battery.

This month Quick Lane offers a special on total maintenance inspection known as The Works Fuel Saving Package for $29.95. For more specials, visit www.quicklane.com.

During the routine check, each area inspected is graded green, yellow or red. If everything comes out green, you’re good to go after your 30-minute inspection. If something is marked yellow, future maintenance might be needed and a note goes in the vehicle’s file to check back on the problem area at the next visit. If anything gets a red grade, immediate assistance is required. Most maintenance can be handled at Quick Lane, but if an overhaul is needed, extensive repairs can be handled across the street at the Bill Brandt dealership.

Since Quick Lane service lives up to its name and takes less than an hour, most customers relax in the waiting room while the inspection is completed, but a shuttle service is available if you need to get to work or back to your home.

In light of the recent storms, Rob recommends routine maintenance for checking the tires, brakes and wiper blades, which should be replaced every 12 to 18 months. It’s also important to make sure all the lighting systems are functioning to help provide good visibility in bad weather.

To ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly year round, Rob suggests bringing your vehicle in every six months or 5,000 miles for routine service.

Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center, located at 8085 Brentwood Blvd., is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 925-634-9900 or visit www.quicklane.com.