WINTER DRIVING TIPS TO GET YOUR CAR ROAD-READY

Preparing your vehicle for driving in snow, ice and freezing temperatures can help you avoid mechanical issues and keep everyone safer on the road.

By Graham Heeps | Illustrations by Mike Ellis

Nobody wants to get stranded on the roadside in the middle of winter, but sometimes events can overtake us. A breakdown or collision can happen, or the weather can deteriorate more quickly than expected, creating a situation where you can’t continue to drive.

Simple measures can help you prepare for these situations, mitigate their impact or avoid them altogether. For expert advice on how to prep your car for winter, CAA Magazine checked in with Ryan Peterson, manager of automotive services, CAA Club Group.

Illustration: A large light-blue snowflake with a black winter tire at its centre.

WINTER TIRES

Tires are the most important car safety item. Winter tires are not mandated by the province, but their use is strongly encouraged by safety organizations, including CAA, as they are designed to function more effectively in cold temperatures and enable you to stop sooner.

While Peterson acknowledges the upfront cost of investing in a second set of tires, he advises, “You can have the best of both worlds. For the same cost in the long run as two sets of all-seasons, you can buy one set of winters and one set of all-seasons for summer use.”

It’s always safer to be prepared for the weather before it arrives. Remember the 7-for-7 rule: when the temperature has been below 7°C for seven days, it’s time to switch to winter tires. Grab the lug wrench or make an appointment at a CAA Approved Auto Repair Services (AARS™) facility. You can even book a mobile tire change with CAA. The service comes to you so that you don’t have to take time out of your day to get it done. Just have your tires ready, and the CAA mobile tire team will do the swap right in your driveway for you.

ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE

Cold conditions make extra demands on a car battery in winter. “But car maintenance should be a year-round process,” says Peterson. “Your brake fluid or engine oil shouldn’t be low, or your wiper blades ineffective. Try to stay on top of maintenance, and at least once a year have your car inspected by a mechanic to make sure it’s sound.” Peterson recommends a full mechanical inspection, including brakes, exhaust, suspension, belts, hoses, battery and fluids. He explains that getting skilled eyes on the car is great for peace of mind and helps prevent unwelcome surprises — in winter or summer.

Having a battery check can make the difference between your car starting and not starting when winter weather takes hold. The issue is that the chemical reaction in a battery slows down as the temperature drops, explains Peterson. At 0°C, a battery loses about 35 percent of its power, and by -18°C, a battery is down by about 60 percent of its power. If the battery isn’t performing well to start with, it just won’t have the power to start your car as the temperature plummets. You can even book a mobile battery test with CAA. The battery team can test your battery health right in your own driveway — and even change it on the spot if it’s needed.

“For winter, I’m a big believer in getting the coldest-rated washer fluid you can find. I usually buy fluid that’s rated to -45°C,” says Peterson. You’ll want to use up any summer washer fluid that’s in your reservoir well before the temperatures drop — usually by the end of September. Summer washer fluid is fine for warmer months, but he explains that come October, during the first night below zero, that stuff will freeze solid.

Illustration: A car battery, washer fluid, motor oil and a wiper blade.

Illustration: A basket fille with a red flannel blanket, granola bars and a blue water bottle.

WINTER ROAD SAFETY KIT

Getting your vehicle ready for winter driving will reduce the risk of a breakdown, but preparing in other ways can help keep you safe and warm in the event of a collision or if severe conditions make the roads impassable.

“Vehicles are much more reliable in winter than they used to be,” says Peterson. “But even major highways can get snowed in and shut down. If you get stuck on the highway when it’s -40°C, rescue service call volumes will be high, and the road conditions mean it will take longer for help to reach you.” Because of this, Peterson explains that it’s best to take steps so that you’re prepared and can protect yourself.

“Perhaps you stay mostly in the city, and the worst it could be is four hours in a traffic jam,” he says, “in which case, a blanket or winter jacket, some granola bars, a phone charger with a car adaptor or a power bank and some water in an insulated bottle are probably enough. But I often drive a long way north in the winter, and if I break down or run out of gas, or if the road is closed in front and behind, then I may be alone for 12 hours. If there’s a big snowstorm, it might take 24 hours for help to reach me.

“For that trip, I pack my truck with winter boots, sleeping bags, winter coats and blankets; freeze-dried food and a propane heater; and a tarp and some tools, in case I have to change a tire or fix a part. That’s not the reality for most drivers, but the important thing is to figure out the worst-case scenario for your area, your type of driving and your skill set and plan accordingly.” A roadside safety kit will be very useful should you ever find yourself stopped roadside. Shop CAA for a winter roadside kit, packed with all the essentials. Members enjoy exclusive pricing. CAA