Harsh winters are a part of living in Canada. With winter on its way for the next six months or so, it’s time to get your vehicle ready for the cold weather to arrive. In this post, we are providing a checklist for your car’s winter maintenance. This guide includes a few tips you need to do to get your car ready for winter, which will help you drive around safely when the cold season arrives.
Here are 8 simple things you need to do to get your car ready for winter.
1. Switch to Winter Tires
The general rule is always to get your winter tires on before the temperature drops. Although all-season tires can be used during winter in most of the provinces, it’s not advisable. Winter tires are specifically made for harsh winter conditions, and perform at their best when the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius. In addition, winter tires are made from a softer rubber that can prevent them from sliding all over the road.
2. Get your fluids are full
It’s a good idea to check your car fluids including washer fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Ensure to have them filled up at their minimum safety required levels.
In winter, you need a washer fluid that can withstand cold conditions, ideally, it should be able to handle down to – 40 degrees.
3. Check the Coolant
Coolant contains chemicals that stop the liquid from freezing in sub-zero conditions and prevent corrosion damage inside the engine. It’s crucial to ensure the coolant in your car is at appropriate levels. The coolant that you are using should have the right ratio of antifreeze to water; for example at 50:50 or higher.
4. Check your battery
Cold temperatures slow chemical reactions down and put extra strain on your battery. If your car takes extra seconds to start, it’s probably time to replace it with a new one. Car batteries are one of the most important components that store electricity in amounts sufficient to run various appliances and deliver power for starting the engine. Make sure your battery is in good condition so that your car will be able to start during the cold weather. It’s always a good idea to get your battery checked before winter arrives.
5. Get an oil change
It’s time to get an oil change before winter if you have not had it done. Your engine needs the proper amount of oil to work, an oil change can reduce and remove any excess dirt that can build up in your engine from use. You can also consider specific oil types that are recommended for winter use because they will help your car engine work more efficiently.
6. Get your winter emergency kit ready
Having a winter survival kit in the back for dealing with any case of an emergency is necessary.
The kid can have you prepared and help you stay warm in case you need to wait on the road for help.
Some great items to include in your winter survival kit:
- Phone charger
- Shovel
- Water and non-perishable foods
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Ice scraper
- Booster cables
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Duct Tape
- Blanket, gloves, sweater and toque
7. Replace Your Wiper Blades
Wiper blades should be regularly examined for wear and tear. A good set of wiper blades is essential for winters in Canada. The general rule of thumb is to replace your wiper blades every six to twelve months. But wiper blades can be worn down, crack and become useless even sooner depending on how often you drive and where you live. When snow and ice rain are on the way, you’d better check your wiper blades to make sure they are still in good shape and able to clean your windshield. There are also some wiper blades specifically designed for cold weather to handle snow and ice.
8. Do a General Tune-Up
It’s a good chance to give your car a tune-up before winter. Getting a general checkup for the brakes, belts, hoses, filters, ignition system, spark plugs, heater and defrosting systems, lights, etc. That can get you well prepared for the cold winter. It’s also a good idea to give your car a full wash and just look for anything that looks like it might need repairing and replacing.
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