A Guide to Winter Vehicle Maintenance

We hate to be the ones to say it but Winter is arriving! Driving the highways and streets of Canada during our long winter season means equipping your vehicle with the right gear and making responsible maintenance decisions. If you expect to see frosty conditions this season, strongly consider taking your vehicle in for a winter service check and upgrading some of your parts and accessories to winter friendly versions. As a personal vehicle owner, you know that the winter takes a toll on your vehicle and our approach to driving. Taking the appropriate steps towards winter vehicle maintenance and preparation are essential to keeping our vehicles and ourselves safe.

While you should always stay on top of your regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance, this is never more true than before the winter driving season. Take some time before the snow settles in and the roads freeze over to check up on a few winterizing essentials. Now is the time to have that oil and filter change you’ve been rescheduling, have your anti-freeze lines flushed and cleaned and take care of some of the little rattles you’ve noticed over the summer. Cold weather and winter driving can magnify some small issues, so put a stop to things before they get worse!

Checked your vents or heater lately? Probably not if you’re in the GTA or southern Ontario. Our unusually warm Fall hasn’t had us begging for our heaters, but we’ll need them once the frost and snow takes over. If winter has already hit your hometown,  make sure your defroster is working well and not just clearing up a small portion of your window. Having well functioning heaters are just as essential to defrosting your windshield as it is to defrosting your passengers. Your winterized vehicle is will be no good to you if you can’t see where you’re going, so make sure they’re working!

The same can be said for your battery. Have battery looked over and winterized by a certified maintenance mechanic to make sure it’s ready for Old Man Winter. Consider replacing older batteries especially if they’re already showing signs of a struggle and check for any corrosion at contact points, on wiring or on clamps. Small everyday things such as keeping lights off when you’re not running your car will also help ensure that your vehicle will start on a frosty morning.

Who needs winter tires, fluids and accessories? You do!

Specialized winter automobile parts and accessories are made to keep you safe.  A vehicle with winter tires has a stopping distance that is  30 - 40% shorter than a vehicle that has all season tires. The rubber compound used in these winter tires remains softer when the temperature drops, have deep treads and sometimes even studs to give you a firmer grip on the road. Make sure if you already have winter tires you or your certified maintenance technician check the depth of your tire treads. Snow tires deteriorate faster than all season ones, so make sure they’re in tip top shape so you reap all the safety benefits. Another way to ensure you get the most of your snow tires is to regularly check the tire pressure. While it’s always a good idea to take a look at your tire pressure, checking weekly in the in the winter is recommended. You may want to consider a higher PSI than you would for your all season tires as this provide more stability for the softer rubber winter tires and gives you some room for temperature changes (especially if you park in a heated garage). Check with your service provider or manufacturer to see what tire pressure works best for you.

We know that purchasing a second set of tires may be stretch on your budget but considering the overwhelming benefits to safety, it’s certainly worth the investment.

It’s not all about the snow tires. Having quality wiper blades and washer fluid can prevent those light flurries from seeming like a complete white out. Consider having your wiper blades changed, or the squeegee (the rubber part that makes contact with the window) changed at the same time you have your winter tires put on. Make your pre-winter auto service a one stop shop so you don’t forget some of the little check ups.

Taking care of your car is a safety precaution. Winter tires, tune ups, battery checks, heater assessments and fluid changes are all steps you can take to keep you and your passengers safe throughout the winter driving season. If you’ve never invested in winter-proof parts or accessories before, you’ll be astonished at the difference it can make in your vehicle's performance. Drop by a reliable service centre near you to learn more!