Winterize Your Car in 5 Steps
In the GTA, winter has yet to really rear its ugly head, but the same can’t be said for all of Canada. When you have a car, you need to think about a few extra things during the winter months, so here are some simple steps to making sure you and your vehicle are ready for the frost:
Take care of your fluids
Oil is kind of the lifeblood of your car, helping the engine operate efficiently. Unfortunately, oil doesn’t work so well when it gets cold. To winterize your car, use specially formulated motor oil. Look for oil that has a W in the viscosity index like 5W-20, 5W-30, or 10W-30. These oils while formulated with cold weather in mind, can be used year round. Always consult your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Aside from picking the right oil, you can make use of an engine block heater to help keep the oil from getting too cold and thick.
Keep it clean
Cars get ugly in the winter, it’s pretty much a given fact. But the buildup of dirt and salt can actually leave more than just cosmetic damage to your ride. It’s not a huge concern with modern vehicles, but corrosion is still a risk, so I recommend getting the underbody and wheel wells cleaned.
While I know a lot of people might change out their cool alloy rims for inexpensive and unimpressive steel ones to avoid damaging them with winter driving, you may not have that option. If not, protect those babies with a coat of wax.
Lastly, people tend to track a lot of dirty snow into vehicles in the winter. Pick up some floormats so you (or your passengers) don’t destroy your car’s carpets.
Prevent freeze-ups
I never even considered that gas could freeze inside your car, but it’s a very real possibility with the typical Canadian winter. Stop this from happening by keeping your gas tank as full as possible. One of the best ways to winterize your car is to try not to let your tank get less than half full.
If you’re not careful, moisture can build up in door locks and freeze, locking you out of your vehicles if you don’t have a remote lock system. Lubricate the locks with a silicone spray or door-lock lubricant.
Switch to winter tires
Whether you drive a big honking 4 x 4 or a subcompact, you need winter tires to get the best braking and turning performance on snowy roads. While some may dismiss them as an unnecessary expense, tests have shown they can be up to twice as effective at stopping a car than all-season tires. On top of that, some insurance companies and soon every insurer in Ontario will offer a discount on premiums should you use
winter tires.
Don’t forget to check your tire pressure. Air pressure decreases more easily in cold weather, so keep an eye on your tires to avoid wearing them out prematurely.
Check the battery
You leave the office, climb into your ice-box of a car after it’s been sitting in the cold all day, turn the key and… nothing. You try again. Nothing. Looks like your battery is dead and you’re stuck out in the cold.
Does that sound appealing? I didn’t think so. Keep a close eye on your battery levels and before the winter season check it over physically to make sure the connections are secure and free of corrosion. You can also have the levels tested at a service station, or you can do it yourself if you’ve got the know-how.
Being safe on winter roads relies on good preparation as well as vigilance and good defensive driving – just like at every other time of the year. Make sure you don’t skip on the prep this year!
Image Courtesy of Adobe Stock