Preparing Your Car for the Coming Winter

According to Environment Canada, this winter is expected to be harsher than last year. While weather forecasts may not always hit the mark, one thing is certain: Canada’s winters are cold, snowy, and often unforgiving. With freezing temperatures and icy roads on the horizon, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle is ready for the challenges ahead. Here are six crucial steps to prepare your car for the season:

1. Winterize Your Car
   Winterizing your car goes beyond just a simple check-up. Your dealer or trusted service center should assess essential areas such as winter-grade motor oil, radiator coolant, transmission and differential oils, and even nitrogen for your tires. Don’t forget to check the thermostat and other vital components. While a newer car might get through winter without issues, an older vehicle could experience preventable problems if not properly prepared.
2. Full Detailing
   Before winter sets in, invest in a professional cleaning and detailing session for your vehicle, inside and out. A thorough wax job will protect your car’s paint from road salt and the acidic elements found in snow. Make sure your alloy rims are waxed too, to prevent pitting caused by salt exposure. Shampooing the interior, especially carpets and fabric, will help manage the inevitable salt and dirt that winter brings.
3. Install Winter Tires
   If you already own winter tires, plan to have them installed in mid to late November, depending on your region’s snow patterns. Winter tires offer increased safety and handling in snowy and icy conditions. We’ll delve deeper into the pros and cons of winter tires in a future post.