Nanaimo Car Repairs

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Is Your Car Ready For Winter?

I realize that living on the beautiful west coast of Canada in what is likely the best place on earth, where 'winter' means we might actually have to button up our coat, getting your car prepped for winter may not be as serious as it is in less fortunate parts of Canada.

The prospect of being stranded on the side of a road during a whiteout in a raging blizzard is not even on our radar (unless you plan to travel to Alberta), so being prepared to spend a cold night in your car by having a fully equipped emergency kit is something most of us don't seriously entertain. Not to say it isn't a good idea to have an emergency kit in the trunk, because you just never know. That said, there are some practical things we should do to make sure our cars don't leave us stranded simply for lack of some basic maintenance.

Winter Driving Preparations

1. Check your battery: your battery may be able to start your car when the weather is warm, but a marginal battery will likely fail to get you going after sitting out all night if the mercury dips below freezing. Have a local service company check the charging condition of your battery to make sure it won't leave you flat the first cold morning this winter. Also look to see if the connections on the battery look clean and are not corroded, also check to make sure they are snug. On the off chance your battery does fail, do you have a set of jumper cables in the trunk? Do you know how to safely use them? It's a good idea to know how to use your cables, BEFORE you actually need to use them. Improper use of jumper cables can result in some serious accidents.
2. Test your antifreeze: chances are we are never going to experience weather cold enough to freeze your coolant, providing it is not straight water, but it can happen. Having your coolant tested not only for antifreeze ability but also for pH and having the system flushed and new coolant put in, if necessary, is also another one of those routine maintenance items we often overlook.
3. Windshield washer fluid: be sure you are using windshield washer fluid that contains antifreeze so you will be able to keep your windshield clear regardless of what splashes your way on the highway. Again, water is fine in the summer, but useless in the winter.
4. Wiper blades: a very economical, but oh so important item, is a good pair of wiper blades to make sure you have perfect visibility during challenging driving conditions.
5. Snow tires: we all know that living in Nanaimo, on the wet coast, we can sometimes get by without putting on snow tires, providing we aren't going up the mountain skiing or travelling over the Malahat when it's snowing. However, making sure we have good winter tires can save a lot of grief on those few days when old man winter gets confused and shows up in Nanaimo by mistake.
6. Check tire pressure: another often overlooked, yet simple bit of car maintenance is to make sure our tires are properly inflated. This does not just apply in winter, but all year long to be sure we have the best possible traction for safety, and in fact improved fuel economy. Check your owner's manual to find recommended tire pressure, pick up a simple pressure guage and check your tires frequently.
7. Belts and hoses: are another one of those simple to check and not expensive to replace routine maintenance items that applies all year long, but again cold weather can magnify problems that may not have been evident before. Have your mechanic check your belts and hoses and follow his replacement advice to avoid breaking down when it's most inconvenient. You will still have to replace the worn part and pay for a tow also, so putting the expense off, is just false economy.
8. Windshield scraper and snow brush: again every now and then Old Man Winter goofs and shows up in Nanaimo, and often Jack Frost will pay us a visit making visibility impossible through a frosted windshield. A good scraper is a must, one with a snow brush is even better. Make sure your car is warmed up and the windows are clear before venturing forth on your trip, as poor visibility is just an accident waiting to happen. When it gets cold, give yourself another 10 minutes before you have to leave so your car can warm up and you can clear ALL the windows.