Here in Southern Ontario it’s hard to believe that winter is actually here. Looking outside it looks like the beginning of November not the beginning of January; however, it is always wise to be prepared for when the ‘big storm’ hits. Whether you plan on taking a long car trip up north to ski or are just driving back and forth to work, there are some essential items you should have in your car for the winter months. There are also some very important components on your vehicle that need to be checked and maintained in order to be safe.
For every day around the town driving it’s a good idea to have a basic winter safety kit in your car with the following items: fully charged cell phone, snow brush, ice scraper, bottle of windshield washer fluid, shovel, booster cables, blankets, extra hat and pair of gloves, flashlight, pair of sunglasses, flashlight, ‘call police’ sign, a couple bottles of water, power bars, candles and matches. If you ever get stuck at the side of the road during a storm it is not advisable to get out of your car; call 911 have a bottle of water and wait for help. The shovel is not for digging out at the side of the road; but, for removing snow from around your parked vehicle that accumulated while you were sitting at your desk at work. The extra hat and gloves are for all those times you left in a hurry in the morning to your snow free car that was parked in the garage all night and came out of the office to a snow storm. If you don’t have the luxury of parking your car indoors over night, it’s a good idea to pull your windshield wipers off the window so they don’t freeze to the glass during the night.
Windshield wiper blades are a crucial part of winter driving safety. Chances are the blades you currently have on your vehicle are not rated for heavy cleaning during harsh winter conditions. Silicone blades are the best for our winters as they won’t stick like the rubber blades do. Don’t forget to keep your washer fluid level topped up, if you’ve ever had to use snow to clean off your windshield you will be happy to have the extra bottle when you run out. There are other fluids in your car that should also be kept at the proper level, particularly in the winter; the oil and anti-freeze. It’s a good idea to check these more often than usual in the winter.
Before going on a road trip in the winter months, especially if you are driving into typically snowy areas; it is beneficial to have your car checked out by your favourite mechanic. They will give the car the once over it needs to survive a cold journey. Not only will they check fluid levels they will check the ignition, brakes, all the lights, the thermostat, the exhaust and the heater to make sure they are all operating at their maximum capacity. Your mechanic will check your tire pressure on your winter tires as well; tires lose pressure faster in the colder weather. Batteries lose their power as the temperature falls, so it is very important that your battery is working properly. CAA states that their number one call in the month of January is to jump start a car with a dead battery. Know what route you are going to take to your destination and tell a friend or family member. Always let someone know when you are leaving and when you expect to arrive. Research your route online to find out all the places along the way you could stop if you had to; gas stations, restaurants and hotels especially. Charge your cell phone.
The number one way to drive safe in the winter is to slow down. If you do slide into the curb bring your car into to R&G Auto Centre, Pickering and we will do an alignment and check the suspension. If you have any questions about your vehicle give Kirk Paty a call at 905-420-1389.
