What should you do to get your car ready for winter driving?

Winter driving presents a significant difficulty to both cars and drivers due to the snow, ice, wetness, and cold. Maintaining your car in good working order lowers your risk of an accident or other catastrophe when driving, especially in bad weather. Give your car a thorough inspection before you start driving in the winter. Watch out for these things:

Electrical system

    Battery

      - If the battery is low, recharge it or get a new one. Check the charging system as well.

    Start-up

      - Inspect the distributor cap and ignition wires for damage.

    Lamps

      - Check the operation of each light, including the headlights, sidelights, emergency flashers, directional lights, taillights, brake lights, and parking lights.

    Brakes

      -To guarantee equal braking, inspect and adjust the brakes.

    Tires

      - In order to drive safely in the winter, a vehicle's traction on the road impacts how effectively it rides, turns, and stops. The choice of tyres properly is crucial.

      - For improved handling, control, and stability, choose four snow tyres that are the same kind, size, speed rating, and load index. Tires in Canada are marked with a pictograph of a snowflake-topped mountain. This pictogram indicates that the tyre is intended for usage in extremely severe snow conditions and has been engineered to fulfil specified snow traction performance standards.

Lengthened ladder

    - Only use all-season radial tyres in regions with little snowfall.

    - When you anticipate significant snowfall and slippery conditions, use chains or studded tyres on all four wheels. If you plan to travel through a zone where tyre chains or tyres with spikes are permitted, check with your local Department or Ministry of Transportation office.

    - Inspect tyre pressure and, if required, raise it to levels advised by the car's maker. Every 5°C (9°F) reduction in temperature results in a pressure drop of about 1 psi.

    - Inspect the condition of the tyres. Inside the grooves of the tyres are bars or indications indicating tread wear. Replace the tyre when the tread is within 1.5mm of or at the same level as the wear indication since the tyre will no longer offer reliable traction.

Exhaust system

    - Check the exhaust system for leaks. A properly sealed exhaust system reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

    - Keep the window in your vehicle slightly open when you're stuck in the snow, and run the engine and heater to keep warm.

    - Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow. A blocked pipe can force carbon monoxide back into the car interior.

Heating/cooling system

    - Check the radiator and hoses for leaks.

    - Ensure that your vehicle always has a sufficient amount of antifreeze rated for the coldest weather.

    - Check the defrosters (front and back) to make sure they are working efficiently.

Windshield wipers

    - Ensure that windshield wipers function efficiently. Replace them if they are old or worn.

    - Fill the washer container with an antifreeze fluid and top it up frequently.

    - When you anticipate significant snowfall and slippery conditions, use chains or studded tyres on all four wheels. If you plan to travel through a zone where tyre chains or tyres with spikes are permitted, check with your local Department or Ministry of Transportation office.

    - Inspect tyre pressure and, if required, raise it to levels advised by the car's maker. Every 5°C (9°F) reduction in temperature results in a pressure drop of about 1 psi.

    - Inspect the condition of the tyres. Inside the grooves of the tyres are bars or indications indicating tread wear. Replace the tyre when the tread is within 1.5mm of or at the same level as the wear indication since the tyre will no longer offer reliable traction.

Fuel

    - Before you go on your journey, fill up the tank with petrol.

    - Do not let the gasoline level get too low; if you get trapped, the car's engine will be your sole source of heat. Driving to the next gas station may take much longer than you anticipated.

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