Driving in Canadian winters is sometimes a challenge, but it can be fun too. To ensure you minimize the challenges or maximize the fun, depending upon your perspective, it is a good idea to make sure that your car is running well and that adequate precautions are taken to make this happen.
The following actions are a good start to a successful season of winter driving:
Install good winter tires
Often said but frequently ignored. Winter tires offer superior stopping power on cold roads, ice and snow compared to most all-season tires and to all specialized summer tires. This is true whenever the outside temperature is less than 7 degrees celsius. With the popularity of four wheel drive cars, many drivers opt to use all season tires year around. While this might seem like it works when taking off from the green light, it is stopping for the red light where winter tires minimize your chances of creating unnecessary excitement.
Good quality windshield wipers
Install good quality windshield wipers that work and make sure there is adequate windshield washer fluid and that it is winter rated so it does freeze in your washer lines or tank. Another obvious point, but how many times have you seen someone desperately trying to see out their front windshield in those lovely conditions where road salt is landing on your windshield and there is not enough slush to wash it away? Be prepared.
Change engine oil, transmission oil and differential fluids regularly
Make sure your engine oil, transmission oil and differential fluids are changed regularly, even in the winter. Cold increases the stress on your engine, transmission and differentials and good quality clean lubrication relieves some of this stress. Still talking about a car here…Many people ignore regular service of their transmission, differentials and transaxles and indeed, some dealerships apparently claim that fluids in these critical areas do not need to be changed over the life of the car. More about this topic in another article.
Brake fluid and coolant should be checked regularly
Brake fluid and coolant should be checked regularly to ensure optimum performance and protection. In many parts of Canada, temperatures can change dramatically from one day to the next during winter months. Large temperature changes result in condensation and water buildup in brake fluid (and in engine oil as well). Water content greater than 3% of your brake fluid results in less efficient braking than your vehicle was designed for. Brake fluid should be checked regularly for water content, especially during the winter months. Coolant on the other hand, requires a reasonable mixture of water and concentrated coolant to work at its best efficiency. It is important to monitor the ratio of coolant to water to ensure either your coolant will not freeze (not enough concentrate) or that the water content is too low (less cooling efficiency).
Brake pads, rotors and calipers should be monitored
Brake pads, rotors and calipers should be monitored during all seasons to ensure optimum braking performance. It is a lot less expensive to monitor and regularly replace pads and rotors and lubricate the moving parts on the caliper than the costs associated with poor brake performance when you really need it. It is also suggested that your ABS system is monitored for full functionality since this system provides better controlled stopping especially on wet, ice and snow-covered roads.
Suspension components and alignment should be regularly checked
Your car’s suspension helps ensure your drive is safe and smooth by absorbing the energy from various road bumps and other kinetic impacts. Good alignment reduces tire wear and ensures predictability when driving in a straight line and when braking. It also reduces driver fatigue on longer drives. This becomes even more crucial during winter months with large temperature changes and potholes and irregular road surfaces that result.
Lighting on the outside of your car should be checked regularly
Last in this list, but not least, the lighting on the outside of your car should be checked regularly to ensure that you can see around you and others can see you. This becomes more important in winter when there are occasions when falling or drifting snow partially obscures your and other driver’s vision.
Wolff Autowerks would be happy to work with you to help make your winter driving experience uneventful or more fun, depending on your point of view.
Be careful out there.
