6 Tips to Prepare Your Car for the Winter
Do you worry that your car might fail to start in the cold or that your tires won’t hold up on the icy roads? Follow these 5 tips to prepare your car for the winter so you can sleep easier.
Swap Out the Tires
All season tires are not designed for continual snow and icy cold temperatures. As soon as the temperature hits 7 degrees Celsius, the tires start to harden and lose their grip. Only winter tires can effectively push away ice and snow, allowing you to steer, control, and stop easier in these conditions.
Check Tire Tread Depth and Pressure
In the winter, the tire pressure will decrease one to two pounds per square inch (PSI) for every ten degrees in temperature loss. If the tires are too low, they’ll be harder to control, and you’ll also burn more gas. To prevent this from happening, make sure you check the pressure and fill it up at the gas station. Each vehicle will have a recommended cold weather level listed in the owner’s manual or on the inside of the driver’s side door. The tread depth should also be checked by inserting a Canadian Toonie into the grove of the tread. If it reaches into the letters of the silver portion, it’s time to get new tires.
Check the Liquids
If you don’t want your engine to freeze over the winter, you need to ensure that the anti-freeze liquid is topped up to the appropriate level. The motor oil must also be switched to one with a low viscosity. To figure out if you have the right motor oil on hand, check the W number. The lower the W, the better it will perform in cold temperatures. Also, don’t forget to change out your regular windshield wiper fluid for a winter-based product that won’t freeze on your windshield and block your view.
Top Up Your Emergency Kit
Your standard emergency kit should be topped up with winter supplies and tools in the event that you break down in cold winter temperatures. Add an ice scraper, shovel, bag of kitty litter or sand, road flares, a few extra blankets, a change of warm clothing, a few extra pairs of gloves and socks, winter boots, and hand warmers to the kit. You should also store an extra container of gas, anti-freeze, windshield washer fluid and oil in case you run out.
Test the Battery
It’s more difficult for a battery to start in cold weather than it is in warmer weather, especially if it’s in rough condition. Now’s the time to check it to make sure the cables are in good shape and there are no obvious signs of corrosion.
Bring Your Car To a Honda Dealer
You don’t have to do all these winter tasks yourself. Let our service department at Barrhaven Honda take care of it all for you. Not only can we perform the critical tasks to get your car ready for the winter, our parts department also has a full line of winter tires available. If you have a particular brand of tires and rims in mind, the chances we carry them are very high. While stopping by, be sure to pick up some antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid. With a great selection and competitive prices on all parts and products, your Honda Dealer is your one-stop-shop for all of your car’s winter needs. Our team will perform a full service on your vehicle to ensure your car is safe and ready for winter.