Its winter and you’re pulling out the gloves, scarves, jackets and boots. Your skis and snowboard are ready to go and you’ve shoveled your was through the first big snowfall. But there’s one important thing you shouldn’t forget-your car.
Your vehicle needs more than just oil changes and gas every once in a while. Being proactive is a huge part of maintenance. Paying $80 now for a small replacement part is better than shelling out $300 down the road for a major repair.
Winter is a harsh season for a car, especially in Alberta. Unpredictable weather and temperature changes wreak havoc on everything from its body to its electrical systems. So here are some essential reminders for a safe and healthy winter driving season:
-Check what type of washer fluid you have in your vehicle. There are two main types in our part of the world: summer washer fluid, which is great for washing off bug splatters; and winter washer fluid, which is more adapted to cleaning off road sand and melting ice and snow. Also, summer washer fluid can freeze up on you but winter washer fluid is often rated to use in -40 temperatures. Along with the correct type of washer fluid, you’ll need the proper wiper blades. The issue with wiper blades is they freeze up, thus breaking the seal between the glass and the blade and leaving streaks across your field of vision. Make sure you get winter-rated ones that are built to maintain contact even in icy conditions. And don’t rely on them to remove all the snow from your windshield. They are not designed to handle 10 pounds of snow and you’ll very quickly burn out the motor. Use your snow brush.
Good winter tires will limit the amount of sliding you’ll experience. Some drivers who have a dedicated set of summer and winter tires will do their change over around late October, early November. If you only have summer tires on your car, it’s recommended you get a set of winters. Not only will they prevent you from sliding, you will also get longer life with your summer tires because you’re only using them about half the time. Mounting winter tires on a separate set of cheap steel rims is good too, so when you bump a curb it won’t make your skin crawl. If you have all-season tires, you can ask at your local shop if it’s okay to lower the air a bit for more surface area.
-Cold weather is really hard on batteries. If it isn’t doing the job, it’s a good idea to replace it before winter. If you’ve ever had your car fail to start while you’re in a hurry, you know how frustrating it is. It’s not only annoying; if the battery fails to support a proper charge, it’s going to put strain on the alternator and that’s about an $800 repair. A new battery ranges from $40 to $100. If your car is equipped with a block heater (as most are in Canada), use it on those cold nights to aid in start-up the next morning. If you don’t know whether or not you have a block heater, check behind your car’s grille for a small three-prong power cord. Simply plug it into an outlet and leave it overnight. When you get into your vehicle after it’s been sitting in the cold, don’t immediately throw it into gear and speed off. The fluids inside the engine are more viscous in cold weather and this means the engine has to work even harder to get going. You’ll probably even notice a lack of performance in these situations. Let your car idle for a couple of minutes before speeding off.
These tips, combined with proper winter driving, should help you maintain a relatively event-free winter.