Wintertime vehicle checklist

Wintertime vehicle checklist

Tips to Prepare Your Vehicle for the Cold & Snow

It's a well-known fact that every year a large majority of the more than 16

million vehicles on the road are caught unprepared for the first blast of

really cold weather. Don't be caught unprepared. Spending a little bit of

time and effort now, can save you time, effort, frustration, and even money

later on.

Here is a quick list of things to check before that first nasty blast of

winter:

Cooling System

If it hasn't been done in a while, flush out your cooling system with a good

chemical cleaner and put in fresh anti-freeze. Remember to use the

anti-freeze in its proper proportions. Pure anti-freeze (most often made of

ethylene glycol) does not cool or protect as well as the proper mixture of

water and anti-freeze which is described on the anti-freeze container. And

don't forget to check containers, belts, hoses, the pressure caps and

thermostat.

Battery & Electrical System

If your battery is more than a few years old, have it checked. Cold weather

is hard on batteries. Be sure connections are clean and tight. Corroded or

loose connections can give the symptoms of a weak or dead battery.

Engine

Is it time for a tune-up? Faulty wiring, worn spark plugs, a sticking choke

or emission control devices that need attention, can all lead to hard

starting. A diagnostic checkup of the engine can be a good winter

pre-investment.

Oil & Filter

Dirty oil can give you trouble in the winter. Now's the time to change it.

Change the oil filter too! And don't forget to check the other filters on

your car, including the fuel, air and transmission filters. (The

transmission filter should be changed with the transmission fluid when it is

changed during regular preventative maintenance.)

Wiper Blades

Defensive driving instructors will tell you that vision of the road and the

traffic around you is your most potent defence against collisions. Keeping

your windshield clean during a snow fall is a good start.

Just as there is seasonal windshield washer fluid, there are seasonal and

high performance wiper blades. Car Care Canada recommends switching blades

every six months, in the fall/winter and in the spring. Winter wiper blades

are typically well-protected against ice and snow build up, so that the

rubber wiping blade remains flat on the windshield. The rubber used has

better cold weather performance, too.

Tires

For every 50 degree Celsius of temperature drop, your tire pressure decreases by

one pound. Tires which are under-inflated by only eight pounds can reduce

gas mileage by five percent and cut tire life by 25% or more. Check

your tire pressure regularly.

Emergency/Survival Kit

And don't forget to carry an emergency kit in your vehicle during the winter

months, it could save your life. A survival kit should include:

1. Scrapper and brush

2. Shovel

3. Booster cables

4. Sand, salt or kitty litter (may help to free your vehicle if it's

stuck)

5. Traction pads or pieces of old carpeting

6. First aid kit

7. Flashlight

8. Flares

9. Extra fuses, radiator hoses, and fan belts (pantyhose can be a quick

temporary fix)

10. Blankets or sleeping bags (for warmth)

11. Extra winter clothing (again for warmth)

12. Tow line or chain

13. A supply of non-perishable foods such as chocolate bars, instant

soup, tea or coffee (should you get stranded for a long period of time)

14. A tin can and matches or a lighter and candles to melt snow (never

use unmelted snow as a substitute for drinking water; plus, a single candle

can warm an empty full-sized sealed car by 4.5 degrees C0)

15. An emergency supply of prescription drugs if necessary.

Following these simple tips will help you to survive another Canadian

winter.

If you would like more vehicle maintenance tips, visit the aiacanada website.

Free maintenance tips booklet

Requests for Car Care Canada's "Under the Hood" brochure (which gives a 'tour' of a vehicle

under the hood and around the vehicle, and suggests simple maintenance

practices) can be sent to Car Care Canada, 1272 Wellington Street, Ottawa,

ON, K1Y 3A7, Canada.

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