Give your car some love this winter
When the deep freeze sets in some aspects of vehicle maintenance change too.
Think about it, you dress differently in the winter to keep warm. Your car isn’t much different. Harsher conditions mean vehicles have different needs to keep them running smoothly. While every owner should get a pre-winter check up, here are some tips to remember once it is upon us:
1. Let your engine warm up
This is not the season to get underway quickly. It’s best to give your vehicle at least two to three-minutes to warm up the engine before you start driving. It’s not just to get the heater working either. Shifting gears too soon after starting it doesn’t allow the oil to thin and flow as well as lubricate engine parts to avoid damage and clogging. If the temperature in your area drops below -15ºC, consider using a block heater to reduce engine stress.
2. Inspect your tires
Maintaining proper tire pressure is important during the winter. That’s because you lose a fair amount of tire pressure when temperatures fall which makes it more difficult to drive through ice and snow. Check your vehicle’s glove box or driver’s door frame for the right tire pressure for your vehicle. If the car has a feature that alerts you to low tire pressure, don’t ignore it. Remember to check your spare too.
3. Maintain your battery
Cold weather slows down everything, including your car battery. In fact, at freezing temperatures, a car battery can lose up to 60 per cent of its strength. Have your mechanic check the condition of the battery and whether there’s any loose cables or signs of corrosion. Experts recommend you change the battery every three to five years, depending on how often you drive. A vehicle’s battery has to work harder in cold temperatures, so a weak one is a liability.
4. Check the headlights
With the sun setting earlier, it’s likely you’ll spend more time driving in the dark. Weather conditions can make it harder to see and for other motorists to see you. If your vehicle’s headlights are foggy or yellow, it’s time to clean up any buildup on the lenses. Oxidized plastic can reduce headlight illumination by 75 per cent. Replace any dim or damaged bulbs immediately. Make sure all your interior and exterior lights are working. For safe driving, ensure your headlights are aimed correctly.
5. Inspect your wiper blades
The average wiper blade lasts only six months. Check the condition of yours if you notice streaking on the windshield. In addition, you may want to consider wipers designed specifically for winter driving. Designed for harsher conditions, they feature a protective rubber cover to prevent ice and snow buildup, unlike standard blades. This specialized design maintains effectiveness and visibility in freezing temperatures.
6. Use the right wiper fluid
Keep extra windshield wiper fluid in your trunk. Make sure it’s rated for -40ºC. Once the roads become slushy or muddy, other vehicles will splatter your windshield as they pass or when you follow. In extreme temperatures, regular windshield-wiper fluid may freeze to the windshield. The winter mixture will not freeze and keeps your windshield clear.
7. Keep the gas tank full
Maintaining a full tank of gas plays a critical role in minimizing the amount of air — and moisture — inside your tank, reducing the chances of water condensation. Less condensation means a lower risk of water freezing within your fuel lines. And gas line antifreeze isn’t just for your radiator. When added to your fuel, it prevents any water present from freezing.
8. Keep it clean
It’s important to keep your car clean, especially during winter. Removing salt on milder days. You can even have your vehicle waxed prior to winter to protect it from rust and oxidation that may occur from lower temperatures and snow.
9. Be prepared
Emergencies can happen anywhere. Prepare for winter’s worst by keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle. You can make your own or purchase one that’s pre-made. It should include such items as a first aid kit, blankets, mittens, socks, ice scraper, power bars, flashlight with batteries, jumper cables, bottled water, a multi-tool, foldable shovel and winter windshield wiper fluid. Replace items as they are used.
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