2014 Automobile Winter Guide
Are You Ready for winter?
Get an oil change with the correct oil.
Has your oil been changed lately or are you due for a major service, for instance, a 48K service?
If you are, plan on having this done before winter sets in and make sure your oil is changed at
the same time. All oils have a specific viscosity and oil gets thicker as the temperature drops. Oil
that is too thick won’t protect your engine properly. Have a look at your owner’s manual and
speak to your shop about the right oil for winter driving. Regular oil changes with the right oil
are your best investment to keep your engine in top operating condition.
Can you see out your front window?
Windshield wipers are only usually effective at keeping your front window clear for about a
year. If yours are older than this, it might be a worthwhile investment before you find yourself
in a snowstorm with wipers that won’t keep up. Make sure your washer fluid has the right
temperature rating for the season. Summer washer fluid and/or water will freeze and drop
visibility to zero. It’s also a good idea to confirm your heating system and defroster are in top
condition and up to the task of facing a Canadian winter.
Is your battery fully charged?
Having a charging test done at your local shop will confirm the condition of your battery and
your vehicles charging system and if anything needs to be taken care of before the cold
weather arrives. A battery that will get you started in the summer may not be able to start the
car when the temperature drops. A boost, in most situations, will get you going but why subject
yourself to having to do this in the first place. There is nothing more uncomfortable that finding
yourself in a dead vehicle in a snowstorm.
How’s the rubber under the hood?
Hot summers and high temperatures under the hood cause hoses and belts to wear out. A
broken belt or a blown hose on a deserted highway on a winter evening is not only
uncomfortable, but dangerous. Have your hoses/belts checked and damaged/tired items
replaced before your venture out this winter.
Are your tires inflated properly?
To maintain the best winter traction, your tires need to be at the proper pressure. Over or
under inflated tires effect how your vehicle will perform on snow and ice. In addition, as the
temperature drops, so does the air in your tires. Tires need to be checked and air added on a
regular basis throughout the winter driving season, keeping a tire pressure gauge on hand is
highly recommended.
Are winter tires better?
Every test has shown, your vehicle has better traction and better stopping using winter tires
over the all-season tires. Rubber compounds and tread patterns are designed differently on
winter tires and once the temperature drops below 7 degrees, winter tires will have
significantly more traction than a summer or all-season tire. The difference can mean the
difference between staying on the road and ending up in a ditch.
Is your alignment correct?
In a perfect world vehicle alignment never has to be done, but that’s far from the truth in the
real world. Road conditions, temperature changes, driving habits, worn suspension components
will have an effect on your vehicles alignment. Your vehicles’ alignment not only help to
prolong the life of your tires but it is a vital key in vehicle handling. A slight anomaly in your
vehicles driving characteristics in the summer can often translate into poor vehicle response in
the winter. It is recommended that you check your alignment when changing from summer to
winter tires and when changing back from winters to summers, the fact of the matter is the
tires may not have worn the same and your tires have a huge effect on how your vehicle
handles. So have your mechanic check your alignment and make adjustments if your vehicle is
out of the recommended specifications.
Does your vehicle have 4 wheel drive and is it working?
If you are not off roading in your 4 wheel drive vehicle, you tend to forget about it until it is
needed and you find the transfer case and shifter levers are rusted into place. It’s always a good
idea to use it monthly so when it is needed, it is good to go. Make sure anyone in your home
who will be driving the vehicle understands how it works.
Is your coolant mixed correctly?
Coolant, or antifreeze, needs to be mixed in a 50/50 ratio with water. This ratio prevents it from
freezing in extreme cold. An anti-freeze tester will tell you if the mixture is correct. And if you
haven’t changed your coolant in more than two years, it’s a good idea to do it before winter.
Over time, your coolant loses its strength and also turns to a more acid mix, corroding and
damaging the vehicles cooling system. A coolant flush is an inexpensive insurance policy to your
entire cooling system.
Do you carry and emergency kit?
Are you prepared if you go off the road or become stranded in cold weather? A proper
emergency kit can mean the difference between life and death. What should you carry? Every
automobile owner has his or her list but here’s some general suggestions: a blanket, boots and
gloves, extra warm clothes, a candle lantern, energy bars, water, waterproof matches, an ice
scraper, shovel, flashlight (with new batteries), extra washer fluid, flares, gas line anti-freeze,
booster cables, a first aid kit and sand or kitty litter to aid in traction. Make sure your spare tire
is fully inflated and all your tire changing tools are with it. Always keep at least a half tank of gas
in your tank, fill it if you are planning a trip, as temperature fluctuations can cause
condensation creating water which can freeze in your lines, stopping your vehicle.
What should you do if you find yourself stranded?
Stay calm and stay near your vehicle. Turn your flashers on, call for help, get out your
emergency kit and try to stay as warm as possible. If you are travelling, you should let someone
know where you are going and when you expect to arrive. A single candle can keep you from
freezing to death. Plan to run your engine about 10 minutes per hour (remember the tip about
keeping your tank full) to warm the vehicle and leave a window partly open so the snow and ice
don’t freeze the doors shut.