How to Make Sure Your Car is Ready for Winter

In North America, Canada is ranked #1 as the coldest country on the continent and Winnipeg is one of the largest cities in the coldest areas of the country. Unfortunately, this is nothing to be proud of unless you like cold winters of course. Living in Canada, winter can be very unpredictable as it may start as early as the end of September. With Winnipeg being one of the cities in Canada that gets a big slice of these cold winters it is important to start thinking about your car when this time of the year comes as you may find yourself stuck on the highway in a cold Winnipeg winter.

Here is a checklist of what you can do to prepare:

Change Your Oil
During the winter months, a vehicle’s engine tends to work a lot harder than they usually do, and changing the oil of your vehicle is one of the crucial things you could do to help. Without the proper type of oil, the lifespan of the vehicle can be shortened. To find out the type of oil your car needs, you could either read the manual or simply head to your trusty mechanic who will know what will be best.

Winter Tires
This is the most obvious one on the list that needs to be done. However, some people can be so careless that they refuse to change the one thing that is bringing them closer to an accident. While all-season tires are great for every weather, they can only provide some traction in light snow and no more than that. If you already have winter tires, you could easily install these by yourself just by watching tutorials, but while it is good to know to do this yourself, it may be better to get it done by an expert who has the right tools and equipment.

Winter tires can be expensive, averaging at around $500-$600 for a set, but when considering how much they could save you in the long run, these winter tires will pretty much pay for themselves. If you have a $500 collision deductible, you might want to consider spending that money on a set of tires rather than getting a one-time fix when the time comes that you get into an accident.

Fill Up Your Gas Tank
It is important to not leave too much space in the gas tank as condensation may happen. There is a chance that the water from condensation may travel into the fuel lines which could potentially stop gas from moving. Always be sure to leave your gas tank a quarter or halfway full to prevent this.

Check Your Battery
A vehicle’s battery is one of the most essential parts to keep a car running. Driving in the wintertime, you will witness at least 10 vehicles that would not start because of a dead battery. Trust me, you do not want to be stuck in a cold vehicle with no one around to help you boost it. If you have an older car with a battery that has never been changed, it may be time to get your battery checked by a mechanic and potentially get it replaced. As a bonus tip, always have booster cables handy!

Wiper Blades and Coolant
If you have never changed the wiper blades of your vehicle since you got it, it may be time to get a set of new ones. Similar to the engine, wiper blades also work a lot harder during the winter months to keep your windshield clean and your vision clear. Additionally, as you grab your new set of wipers, you may want to also consider getting the proper windshield washer fluid. Your wipers could get easily damaged by the frozen ice on the windshield, but with the help of windshield washer fluid, you guarantee longer life for your new wipers.

Air Filter
Air filters can last a long time and are relatively cheap to replace for about $20 each. The main purpose of the air filter is to keep a clean airflow, having a dirty air filter can reduce airflow for the heater which may cause the blower motor to work a lot harder and shorten its life. A blower motor can be expensive to replace, so always check that your air filter is clean.

Vehicle Inspection
Winnipeg is NOTORIOUS for its harsh winter weather and the best way to get through it is to get a vehicle inspection to keep you and your vehicle safe this winter. Not only will it save you time, but it will also save you from headaches in the long run. Be sure to always see your mechanic before wintertime.