As our crisp Fall days slowly transition into Winter, it’s time to adjust our wardrobes, our homes and our cars for the new season. 

There's so much more involved in winterizing your car than just changing your Summer tires to Winter! I’m going to guide you through a seasonal checklist provided by a few experienced mechanics who help drivers prepare for the Winter year after year. 

1. Have Your Car Serviced for Winter Driving Conditions. 

The thought of your car breaking down on the side of the road is terrifying in any season, but imagine if it was -20℃ when it starts to quit? Well, that’s why it’s always a good idea to get your car serviced right before winter starts. 

You should have your battery checked because cold temperatures are harder on your car's battery. If you’re already having battery troubles, the cold air has the potential to kill it completely. 

2. Change Your Tires. 

Winter tires are designed to give you the best traction in snowy or icy conditions. Winter grade tires are always the best choice for the cold season but depending on what the conditions are like where you live, some drivers opt for All Season tires. Most mechanics will recommend Winter tires as the best option but to each their own opinion. 

Winter tires help grip into the snow and ice and make sure you continue your drive smoothly. Winter tires will not stop you from slipping on the road completely, so it’s always best to adjust your speed accordingly with the weather. Mid-Fall is the recommended time to switch your tires for the season because although Winter officially starts in December, we all know unfortunately, the conditions begin much before then. When you have your Winter tires on early, you’re prepared and it gives you some time to get adjusted to the new tires. 

3. Plan Your Trip.

Before venturing out on a snowy day, it’s important to check the weather. Just because it looks like a beautiful, snowy day from your home, doesn’t mean the highway or open areas will be the same. Depending on the wind and temperature, the roads could be icy or you could be facing white out conditions. 

Make sure you check the weather for every area you plan on travelling and keep a close eye on it because conditions can change very quickly. 

4.Install Winter Wipers & Winter Washer Fluid.

Not everyone installs Winter windshield wipers but it is a good piece of equipment to keep in mind. We’ve all been there. You’re driving through a snowy day and all of a sudden ice starts freezing to your wiper. You know it’s there because it creates a loud scraping noise and your windshield is no longer clear and streak free. Winter wipers have a piece of rubber around them that helps prevent ice from freezing on it.

Winter wiper fluid is so important. Your regular wiper fluid is not built to stand winter conditions and if you don’t fill your reservoir with Winter fluid before conditions are below freezing, your reservoir could crack. 

One Winter storm uses a lot of wiper fluid. From washing the salt off your windshield, to removing any ice on your windshield, you could easily use half a tank or more in one storm. It’s important to keep extra wiper fluid in your car throughout the season because you never know when you’ll need it. 

5.Keep a Winter Kit in Your Car.

Hopefully it never happens but if you ever do get into an accident throughout the Winter, it’s best to be prepared. It’s recommended you keep supplies in your trunk just in case. 

Keep extra wiper fluid, extra clothes, jumper cables, non perishable food and water, a flashlight with batteries, an extra ice scraper, a shovel and sand. 

Most items are pretty self explanatory but having a shovel and sand could seriously help you out. If you get stuck in the snow and no amount of accelerating is helping you get out, bring out your trusty shovel and start digging. Once you have an open area and your tires are snow free, place some sand down around your tire for extra traction. 

Most times the roads get plowed quite frequently but if conditions are deteriorating the      plows may not have cleared your road yet or snow has fallen quicker than their ability to clear the roads. 

6.Keep Your Gas Tank At Least Half Full. 

Sometimes getting gas for our cars is not on the top of our priority list. In the Winter, it’s important to keep at least half a tank in your car to make sure your gas line doesn’t freeze up. Having gas in your tank reduces condensation and helps keep a solid temperature in your gas line. 

If you do get in an accident, your car's engine may be the only thing to keep you warm until help arrives. If you have at least half a tank of gas, you can run the engine periodically for heat until you are rescued. 

Mechanics are true heroes who help keep us safe and keep our cars on the road.

They specialize in body work, electrical, engines, batteries and so much more. 

That’s right, even mechanics use battery powered tools like ratchets, impact wrenches and sockets. 

You can now find our Philips Batteries for sale at CarQuest in Summerside, PEI!

Check out these articles for more tips about driving in the Winter and caring for your car: 

BridgestoneTire or CarMax