Is your car winter ready?
Now that the holiday season is over, we’re heading into the most miserable months of the year. The next three to four months will see Canadians battling snowy roads and icy intersections on a day to day basis. Because winter is already hard on drivers, make sure to get your car winter ready as soon as you can.
First, consider taking your car to a mechanic for a quick check-up and tune-up. Although pricey, a mechanic can diagnose potential problems with your vehicle and can get you set up for winter.
Make sure your fluids are topped up and ready to go. You’ll want to verify you have a thinner-than-usual oil in your car to avoid it freezing in the cold temperatures. The easiest way to be certain is to get an oil change and request the oil type recommended in your car manual.
Coolant and wiper fluid should be topped up to avoid freezing. The last thing you want while driving home from work is an overheated radiator, or windshield wiper blades that can’t wipe away highway grime.
The most important fluid though is gasoline. In the winter, make sure to always keep at least a half tank of gas in your car to avoid freezing. Although the other fluids are important in keeping your car winter ready, a car won’t start with frozen gas.
After you’ve verified that all the fluids are as they should be, you’ll need to make sure your battery works. The best way to maintain a car battery is to test it regularly and to keep it fully charged in the winter months. This could mean getting a block heater and keeping your car plugged into an outlet at night when winter temperatures are at their lowest.
People on the east coast of Canada would never think to drive in winter without winter tires. However, people on the west coast will often forego winter tires for all-seasons. This could prove a costly mistake if the west hit with a sudden storm. Regardless of the type of tire you feel comfortable with, make sure they are in good condition and have adequate air pressure.
Finally, you’ll want to be prepared for the worst. Keep an emergency kit in your car and top it up to include must-have items in case of a winter car break-down: hats, mittens and a snowbrush/ice scraper.
The trade-off of living in such a beautiful country is that Canadians must endure a harsh winter. Although cars make living in Canada at least a hundred times more manageable than before, a bad winter can be really stressful.
By keeping your car winter ready, you’ll be pro-actively countering the stress that comes with the winter season. Check your fluids, make sure your battery is in good shape and be prepared for the worst. And remember to exercise all precautions when driving. If you follow these steps, unplowed roads will be the only thing stopping you from a road trip this winter!