AUTOMOTIVE
Good Decisions for Winter Driving Conditions
Ensure your vehicle stands up to harsh winter weather and stays safe on the road.
By Remi Sullivan
Make winter driving more manageable by being prepared. | PHOTO: JASMINA_K/ENVATO
WINTER WEATHER can be challenging for drivers, but being prepared — from having the right tires to assembling a supreme survival kit — can make the season more manageable. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your car road-ready in the coldest months of the year.
Maintain your car
Bad weather is predictable. Ideally, drivers should maintain their vehicles properly, following the recommendations in the owner’s manual, so that it’s running at its best. Regular upkeep will help catch issues before they escalate. There are a few steps to ensuring your vehicle performs well all winter long.
Use the right tires
Tires are an important consideration — make sure your all-weather or winter tires are installed and in good shape. The tread patterns on winter tires are designed to handle seasonal conditions, and the rubber compound is softer and more flexible to allow for better grip and road traction in cold weather. All-weather tires are also safe to use as their tread pattern provides traction in winter. You should check your tire pressure throughout the winter, as sub-zero temperatures will impact it.
Inspect your windshield wipers
Make sure to check windshield wipers intermittently during the winter. These should be free of cracks and tears; change them out when they start to degrade. Wipers work hard battling snow and ice — not to mention the salt, sand, dirt and debris mixed in with slush that require constant clearing. In cold temperatures, you should use only winter-grade windshield washer fluid — it’s formulated to resist freezing. Heavy sleet and wet road conditions will stop you in your tracks if you can’t clear your windshield.
Have your battery tested
If your headlights seem a little less bright than usual and your car needs more cranking to start, it will only be exacerbated by the cold. Freezing temperatures put additional strain on your battery, so consider changing it if you’re detecting reduced performance. Of course, a block heater will also help to keep your car starting all winter — make sure that it is in good condition, too.
Pro tip: if you’re in the Halifax Regional Municipality, check out ottomobile.ca for new tire sales and installs that come to you!
Cold temperatures can lower your tire pressure. | PHOTO: SOCKAGPHOTO/ADOBE STOCK
“Regular upkeep will help catch issues before they escalate.”
Make sure you’re using winter-grade windshield washer fluid. | PHOTO: SOCKAGPHOTO/ADOBE STOCK
Your car should be equipped with the means for digging out and staying warm. | PHOTOS: SOCKAGPHOTO/ADOBE STOCK
Carry a winter survival kit
If you drive long distances or to remote destinations, it’s important to ensure you have the items you need, just in case. A well-stocked winter preparedness kit is critical for ensuring safety and comfort while delayed by storms or awaiting roadside support. Start with the purchase of a snowbrush, scraper and a small shovel for digging yourself out of snow and removing ice from your windshield. Add a container of non-clumping kitty litter to your trunk — it’s a great traction aid on slippery spots. Next, stock your trunk with granola bars, toilet paper, water purification tablets and a container to hold water — you can fill it with snow to melt if you don’t have any bottled water. Stock phone charging cables and a power bank in the car — your phone is a vital lifeline. Check and top up the charge of your power banks throughout the season, so that they’re ready when needed. Then, think warmth. Either sleeping bags or thick fleece or wool blankets should be in the car. You don’t want to get stuck without a way to warm up. As drivers, we’re often dashing from one indoor activity to another and don’t always dress for the weather outside. A light coat for the drive is fine, but keeping extra layers in the trunk, including gloves, hat and boots, will mean you’re much safer and more comfortable should you need to shovel yourself out or wait for roadside assistance.
Keep your gas tank topped up
It’s a time-tested winter driving rule: never let your tank drop below half full. If you must wait for roadside assistance in winter weather, you never know how long you might need to idle your vehicle to keep warm. Severe winter weather can slow traffic to a standstill. Roads can close as they become too dangerous to use or as a result of a collision. Unfortunately, a closed highway can add hours to your journey — having enough gas to accommodate the changing conditions is an important precaution. Winter weather can be challenging. Know what your car can handle, and what conditions you’re comfortable driving in. While it’s good to be prepared in any season, taking these proactive steps is your best protection when driving in winter. CAA
Always pack your CAA membership card — whether it’s in your wallet or on your phone. Members can request roadside assistance by calling 1-800-CAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357) or access help online.