Prep Your Car For Winter

Canada's harsh winter conditions can pose significant challenges for commuters, relying heavily on their vehicles to navigate the treacherous terrain safely. As we gear up for the impending cold, it's imperative that we not only prepare ourselves but also ensure our vehicles are well-equipped to tackle icy roads and freezing temperatures, sparing us from potential breakdowns in the midst of winter. By adhering to a few straightforward guidelines, you can adequately prepare your car for the demands of winter driving.

In this article:

Addressing the most critical aspect first, our tires demand utmost attention. Regardless of your vehicle's mechanical health, the choice of tires can significantly impact your safety on snowy roads. Tires serve as the crucial link between your vehicle and the road, providing traction on various surfaces. Using summer tires or all-season tires on snow, slush, and ice can pose severe risks. These types of tires are not designed for temperatures below 7℃ (45℉), and as the mercury drops, they tend to stiffen, offering minimal to virtually no grip on snow and icy surfaces. This compromises safety, leaving you unable to navigate through common winter conditions across much of Canada where snow and ice prevail. 

Therefore, winter tires are necessary for safe driving in the most challenging winter conditions. These tires feature distinctive tread patterns and are crafted from specialized compounds that maintain flexibility even in extremely low temperatures. Winter tires deliver exceptional grip on snow, slush, and ice, surpassing the performance of any other tire type. This enhanced grip enables shorter braking distances, quicker acceleration, and better overall control of the vehicle. It's worth noting that in regions like British Columbia (BC) and Quebec, the use of winter tires is not just recommended but mandated by law. For a comprehensive understanding of winter tires and their effectiveness, you can refer to our detailed guide. Additionally, it's essential to adhere to all winter tires and other laws highlighted in this article to ensure safe winter driving. 



A tire without sufficient tread is akin to a pair of shoes lacking soles or a heater that doesn't produce heat - essentially useless. Therefore, ensuring that your tires maintain adequate tread depth is of utmost importance. You can assess tread depth through various methods, including the penny test, using a tread depth gauge, or by checking for wear indicator bars. Our tire buying guide provides detailed information on all three methods for evaluating tread depth. If you discover that your tires have minimal or no tread left, it's imperative to replace them promptly. Without sufficient tread, driving on snow or ice becomes nearly impossible. A tread depth of 1.6 mm is the recognized minimum standard, and anything below this threshold necessitates immediate tire replacement.

As temperatures drop, the strain on your vehicle's battery increases as it needs to work harder to provide the necessary energy to start the engine. If you're already experiencing difficulties starting your vehicle, these issues are likely to exacerbate during the winter, making it even more challenging to start your car. To address this, it's essential to assess the battery's condition and verify that it still holds sufficient charge. Additionally, cleaning the battery terminals, inspecting the battery cables, and checking the charging system are essential steps in ensuring your battery's reliability. Our battery maintenance guide offers comprehensive instructions for evaluating your battery's state and extending its lifespan, which can be particularly beneficial during the winter months.

Addressing engine coolant issues serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it ensures that the engine operates at its designated temperature without the risk of overheating. Secondly, it prevents the coolant fluid from freezing during winter, and thirdly, it keeps the cabin heating system functional. To safeguard against freezing temperatures, it's imperative that the engine coolant contains an adequate amount of antifreeze. For extremely cold conditions, the recommended ratio is 60% antifreeze to 40% water (preferably distilled). Moreover, the coolant must be in good condition to circulate effectively throughout the engine and heater core. Coolant that has not been flushed for an extended period can lead to corrosion within the engine and cause deterioration of gaskets and the water pump. Therefore, it's essential to inspect the condition of the engine coolant and perform a flush and replacement before temperatures plummet. While conducting these maintenance tasks, don't forget to check and maintain other crucial vehicular fluids as well.

Wiper blades play a crucial role in maintaining clear visibility on your vehicle's windshield by removing dirt, water, snow, or splatter, especially during rainy or winter conditions. These blades are an integral part of your car's safety features and should be replaced regularly to ensure optimal vision. During cold winter weather, it's advisable to lift the blades off the windshield to prevent them from freezing to the glass surface. Snow and ice can accumulate and freeze within the wiper blade mechanism, rendering it ineffective and potentially causing damage to the windshield. This is why Winter Wiper Blades are recommended, featuring a rubber lining that seals the mechanisms and prolongs the blades' lifespan in cold weather, preventing them from adhering to the windshield and freezing. These blades are constructed from a softer rubber compound that remains flexible in low temperatures, delivering superior performance compared to regular wiper blades. Additionally, it's essential to add antifreeze or alcohol to the washer fluid to prevent it from freezing during winter conditions, ensuring unobstructed visibility. 

If you've experienced winter driving, you're likely aware that one of the most challenging aspects is braking on snowy or wet roads. These conditions can lead to wheel hydroplaning, causing the vehicle to slide even when the brakes are applied. The ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) plays a crucial role in attempting to regulate braking to maintain maximum traction. However, the effectiveness of the ABS is not solely responsible for safe braking; the quality of the brake pads and rotors also plays a significant role. Therefore, it is imperative to invest in a new set of brake pads and brake rotors, particularly for the front wheels, as they play a vital role in ensuring reliable and effective braking performance, helping to prevent accidents and mishaps during winter driving.

Winter weather can be highly unpredictable, necessitating precautionary measures to prepare for the challenges it may bring. A winter survival or breakdown kit serves as a valuable emergency resource, ready to address immediate issues that stranded passengers may encounter. As recommended by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA®), it's advisable to keep these essential items in your vehicle and trunk, equipping you to handle a range of potential problems that winter conditions can pose. 

Keep the following items inside your vehicle.

• Blanket (special "survival" blankets are best)

• Ice scraper and brush

• Road maps

• Flashlight

• First aid kit

Keep the following items in your trunk:

• Small tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, etc.)

• Extra fuses (for the vehicle’s electrical system)

• booster cables or jump starters

• shovel

• sand or kitty litter

• traction mats

• tow chain

• compass

• cloth or roll of paper towels

• warning light or road flares

• fire extinguisher

• extra clothing and footwear

• emergency food pack

• matches and a "survival" candle in a deep can (to warm hands, heat a drink or use as an emergency light)

• extra windshield washer fluid

• fuel line antifreeze

• reflective vest

• Lock out-tools

• Flares

Taking these proactive measures before embarking on a winter drive will ensure that your vehicle is well-prepared to navigate inclement weather conditions, allowing you to approach uncertainties and potential emergencies with confidence. Installing winter tires, along with servicing the brakes and engine components, enhances your vehicle's performance and handling in severe winter conditions. With the ability to achieve shorter braking distances and faster acceleration on slippery icy roads, you can rest assured of a safe and secure drive, regardless of the challenging weather conditions outside.