Vehicle Winter Maintenance Tips York Region

In Ontario, you never know what the winter season will bring.  It could be a “Green Christmas” or a “White-Out New Year”.  This year the farmer’s almanac is predicting a polar vortex. This could bring very cold temperatures and lots of snow to Southern Ontario. Click here for the Almanac’s predictions for Southern Ontario). But in the 2nd week of November, when it’s around 15 degrees, who wants to think about winter?  Just a reminder that this is Canada!  Here are some tips from Simone Performance for the best vehicle winter maintenance for an unpredictable winter in York Region.

1. General Vehicle Winter Maintenance

It’s always a good idea to keep your vehicle regularly maintained as per your vehicle’s specifications.  When entering winter, it’s especially important to make sure everything is working properly, so you don’t find yourself frozen on the side of a 400 series highway in a blizzard.

2. Check Your Battery

It’s critical that your battery is in good working condition heading into winter.  Check to make sure that the connections are free of corrosion.  If your battery is over 3 years old, consider having it tested at a repair facility.

3. Snow Tires & Tire Pressure

In Ontario, it is recommended that you have snow tires for your vehicle. Not only can they help keep you and others safe on the roads, but it can also provide a discount on your insurance (depending on your auto insurance provider).  The cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop.  It’s always important to make sure that all tire pressures remain at manufacturer’s specifications.  Snow tires are better designed for lower temperatures.

4. Windshield Wipers & Anti-freeze

We recommend you keep spare anti-freeze in your vehicle. You’d be surprised how quickly you can use it up on a salty roadway or behind a truck.  You should also check your wipers for streaking and any damage to the metal or rubber.  This is an easy and inexpensive way to increase your winter driving safety.

5. Keep Track of All Those Miscellaneous Items

Even in the summer, we recommend doing a weekly check of your vehicle to ensure the following systems are working properly.  You can do a general walk around your vehicle to see any physical damage, and the check functionality of all the lights.

• Brakes – Test the feel of the pedal in different conditions (low speed vs. highway speed).
• Lights – Check the interior, brake lights, four-ways, high-beams, running lights, etc.
• Oil Change – Check your reminder sticker and change oil if necessary. A good rule of thumb is to check all your levels after every 1,000km.

6. Be Prepared Just in Case

You never know what could happen, but winter driving conditions never make it easier.  Aim to keep your gas tank as full as possible to avoid running out of gas or being stranded. It can also keep your gas lines from freezing.  You should also stock your trunk with some spare gloves, hats, and other warm clothing items, a pair of water-resistant boots, and a Roadside Emergency Kit. An added bonus would be a fully charged Power Bank for your cell phone (these are now fairly inexpensive at Canadian Tire).

If you’d like help with your vehicle winter maintenance, at Simone Performance we provide a Vehicle Maintenance Inspection.  Thid includes items like an oil change and reports on the general condition of all your major systems.

Like you, we hope this winter won’t be too rough on us Ontarian’s, but this is Canada.  It’s better to be prepared, safe and warm, than to be stuck on the side of the road in the cold.  If you have any questions about vehicle winter maintenance, please contact our service advisor for more information.

As always, we welcome your feedback.  Join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment below.  You can also email us if you have any questions or book an appointment online.  Also, check out our YouTube Channel for all of these Talk Shop videos.

Enjoy your drive and stay safe this winter season!

Vic Simone