How to get your car ready for winter

Winter will be here before you know it, and now’s the perfect time to prepare your car for poor driving conditions caused by snow, slush, and ice. Check these car care to-dos off your list for a safe drive all season long:

1. Replace worn wiper blades. Next time it rains, check for areas of your windshield that aren’t clear after being wiped. This means it’s time to replace your wiper blades — they may be worn out, and you’ll want them working well in the winter. Even if your wipers are in decent condition, consider swapping them with heavier, winter-specific ones that will easily wipe away ice and snow.
2. Top up your windshield washer fluid with a de-icing formula. Regular washer fluid can freeze in its tank or when you spray it onto your windshield on a chilly day. Consider picking up a winter-specific windshield washer formula instead, and always keep an extra bottle in your trunk.
3. Get an oil change. If you’re almost due for an oil change, get it done now to save you a trip to the mechanic over the winter months.

4. Check your brakes.When the roads are covered in snow and ice, stopping can take  longer than usual. Make sure your brake pads are in good shape and top up your brake fluid — and don’t forget to leave lots of extra space between your car and the one in front of you when the roads are wet or icy.

   Before the snow and sleet are here for good, take your car to a mechanic for regular maintenance, like getting an oil change, installing your winter tires, and checking your fluid levels.

5. Test your heat and defrost systems. Turn on the heat in your vehicle and make sure it gets nice and toasty. If you suspect it’s not as warm as it should, consider having the system inspected. You could also remove and replace your cabin air filter to make sure your heating system runs as efficiently as possible.
6. Swap your all-season tires for winter tires. All-season tires can stiffen and start losing their elasticity as the temperature drops, which can lead to decreased traction. Winter tires, on the other hand, are designed to stay flexible even in extremely chilly weather, so you’ll get a better grip on slippery streets. Installing winter tires could also qualify you for a discount on car insurance.
   
   Want to change your tires yourself this season? Follow these simple steps to install your winter tires at home:
   
   

   

   How to change the tires on your car

   Whether you have a flat tire or need to install your winter tires, review your original owner's manual and follow these simple steps.

   1. Remove your hubcaps and loosen the lug nuts.Turn the lug nuts counterclockwise to loosen, but don't take them off completely.
   2. Consult your owner's manual before placing the jack. Once you've properly placed the jack, raise your car about six inches.
   3. Remove the lug nuts and tire.
   4. Push the new tire onto the lug bolts. Once the tire is on, screw the lug nuts onto the bolts by turning them clockwise.
   5. Slightly lower your vehicle and tighten the lug nuts with your lug wrench.
   6. Lower your car completely, torque lug nuts following the torque requirements in your owner's manual and check the tire pressure. Check your owner's manual for the optimal tire pressure level and fill it up if it's low.
   7. Retorque your lug nuts after you've driven 100 km — just in case!

   Now you know how to change your vehicle's tires anywhere, anytime!

   Stay safe on the road.

7. Check your battery. Cold winter weather makes it tougher for your battery to get your engine running, so have it tested to make sure there’s no corrosion on the terminals, the cables are in good shape, and there’s enough energy to keep you going all winter long. If you drive an electric vehicle (EV), store your car in a warm garage overnight to help the battery charge efficiently.
8. Make sure all your lights are working. Have a friend walk around your car while you turn on and off your lights to make sure your brake lights, daytime running lights, headlights, turn signals, and high beams are working.
9. Prepare your winter driving emergency kit. No matter how carefully you drive, winter weather can change quickly, and you may find yourself needing to take cover and wait out a storm in your vehicle. Stay safe and warm by keeping a well-stocked emergency kit in your car.
10. Go for a winter tune-up. If you think this sounds like a lot of things to get done in a short time, fear not —many of the items on this list can be taken care of in one visit to your dealership or a qualified mechanic. A routine winter tune-up can help extend the life of your car and will likely include a check-up on your fluid levels (e.g., coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid), an inspection of your engine and exhaust system, and tests for electronic components like sensors.

Snow, slush, and ice cause poor driving conditions for Canadians every winter. Check these 10 items off your list to get your car ready to withstand harsh weather all season long.

It’s important to note that these steps only apply to vehicles you’ll be regularly driving this winter. Follow these steps to properly protect your vehicle if you plan to store a sports car or antique car over the winter.

Before you get out on the road, reach out to your car insurance broker to make sure you’ll be covered all season long. And remember, when it comes to driving in snowy and icy conditions, slow and steady wins the race.

Want to help other drivers get off to a safe start this winter, too? Share these tips on Facebook or Twitter.