WinteR DRiving TiPs to Get Your CAR Road Ready
Preparing your vehicle for driving in snow, ice and freezing temperatures can prevent 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.
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, “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. “For CAA Insurance, winter tires need to be installed by November 20. However, every carrier has their own installation dates. Best for Members to check with their insurer,” says Elliott Silverstein, director of government relations at CAA Club Group. He explains, “CAA Insurance offers a five percent discount if the policyholder has winter tires installed.” Call a mechanic or make an appointment at a CAA Approved Auto Repair Service (AARS™) facility. Members can even book a mobile tire change with CAA. The service comes to you so 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 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. You can have the oil checked — or, for convenience, time your inspection with your scheduled oil service. He explains that getting skilled eyes on the car is great for peace of mind, and helps prevent unwelcome surprises, in winter or summer.
Getting 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 outside drops, explains Peterson. At 0°C, a battery loses about 35 percent of its power and by –18°C, a battery loses 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 freezing weather sets in. Members can book a mobile battery test with CAA. The team can test your battery health right in your own driveway — and even change it on the spot if 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 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 degrees, it will freeze.
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 adapter 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. CAA
Roadside safety kit essentials:
- Flashlight
- Phone chargers
- Power bank
- Water
- Protein snacks
- Blanket or jacket
- Booster cables
- Shovel
- First aid kit
Slow down, move over in winter
Driving in winter means staying alert to changing weather and road conditions and adjusting your driving accordingly. Snow, ice and slush can increase stopping distances, making it hard to slow down quickly. And because tow truck drivers work on the side of the road in all kinds of weather, it’s especially important to give them plenty of space. Be cautious around snowbanks, as they may narrow lanes or force the rescuer to work closer to moving traffic. If you see flashing lights on the side of the road, slow down and move over. It’s the law. CAA South Central Ontario (SCO) successfully advocated for tow trucks to be added to the list of vehicles protected under provincial Slow Down, Move Over legislation in 2015. When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck, drivers are legally obligated to slow down. Give yourself extra time and distance to reduce your speed, and in difficult conditions slow down even more. On roads with multiple lanes travelling in the same direction, you must also move into the next lane when it’s safe to do so. Snow and sleet can make lane changes more difficult, so begin your move earlier than you normally would.
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Winter Driving Tips to Get Your Car Road READY
Preparing your vehicle for driving in snow, ice and freezing temperatures can prevent mechanical issues and keep everyone safer on the road.
By Graham Heeps | Illustrations by Mike Ellis
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 adapter 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. CAA
Roadside safety kit essentials:
- Flashlight
- Phone chargers
- Power bank
- Water
- Protein snacks
- Blanket or jacket
- Booster cables
- Shovel
- First aid kit
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.