Before the temperature takes a dip below zero, getting your car ready for the winter season is key to alleviating the stress of winter driving.
Dan Laplante, Foreman/Technician at W & B Automotive Repair Ltd., said there are few things you should do to get your car road ready.
"Check tire tread depth, make sure they're above four-thirty-seconds (of an inch), make sure your block heater is working, antifreeze is -40 or colder, and low test the battery and make sure it's got good low cranking amps for a cold start."
Laplonte said it is also important to check your belts and hoses for wear and tear that may crack with freezing temperature.
Creating a checklist can be useful and help identify some of the key areas that might need to be changed.
Here are 6 areas of your vehicle to keep an eye on:
- Tires - switching to winter tires for better grip and stopping capabilities
- Wiper blades - sun damage causes wiper blades to harden and cause streaking
- Battery - if your battery is a couple years old it may not be able to handle the colder temperatures
- Washer fluid - changing your washer fluid to winter grade so it does not freeze when it drops below 0
- Coolant - have it tested to make sure it can handle winter temperatures
- Oil - if you are running a high viscosity oil it can thicken up in cold temperatures and cause issues