Is Your Vehicle Ready for Winter Weather?

In Ontario, winter means freezing temperatures, accompanied with lots of snow and ice. Without the correct preparation, winter can have a harsh toll on your vehicle and make driving very precarious. So, before the snow hits the ground, here are some steps you’ll want to take to prepare your vehicle for the winter weather!

Get the Right Oil for Your Engine

Temperature can factor into the consistency of your engine oil. Oil tends to get thicker as the temperature drops. Your owner’s manual is a great guide to understanding the best oil to use in various climates.

Check Your Battery

Dealing with a dead battery is never fun, but combine that with the winter weather and the situation can be significantly worse. After all, who wants to be freezing in their vehicle because the battery is dead and the engine won’t start?

Performing a battery check, prior to winter, is a great way to avoid this unpleasant situation. Use this time to ensure your battery’s posts and connections are corrosion-free. If your battery is over three years old, have a certified repair shop test how well it can hold a charge.

Switch to Winter Tires

Many people think that winter tires are only necessary once snow is on the ground; however, tests have shown that the rubber compound used in summer or all-season tires gets harder and provides less traction on pavement, opposed to the rubber compound used in winter tires. So, if you think your summer tires are good as long as there’s no snow on the ground, remember, winter tires provide better traction once temperatures have dropped below 7 degrees Celsius.

Deal with Rust Spots

To prevent ice build-up, Ontario roads are often covered with salt throughout the winter months. When this salt is kicked-up onto our vehicles, it accelerates the effects of oxidization on rust spots on your vehicle. Having rust spots sanded down and repainted, prior to the winter season, stops existing rust spots from getting worse.