Has anyone else noticed that winter is coming? Personally I'm loving this crisp cold sun-shiny weather but as I watch the run-off from washed cars quickly turn into skating rinks I'm certain that we will be looking at another chilly snowy winter.
So if the land of ice and snow is inevitable it is probably a good idea to start thinking about making your ride roadworthy.
The following are some simple tips that will help ensure you are not sitting on the side of the road for hours hoping BCAA or a nice tow-truck driver notices you.
1. How are your windshield wipers? Do they leave streaks or dirty patches behind. If so then it's time to replace them. I've successfully replaced my share this fall and it's a lot easier than you would think. Most of them just clip off. Take your old one into Canadian Tire as a guide. In the windshield wiper aisle they have a book that will tell you what wiper to buy for your car. In my experience, the Canadian Tire staff are very helpful - so if you're overwhelmed with choice or just can't get the darn thing off - go ask a nice man or woman at your local Canadian Tire and chances are high that for the cost of your windshield wiper they will remove the old and install the new.
2. How are your tires? First of all as a general rule the tread on your tires should be 4/32" deep. How deep is that? Stick a nickel upside down between the tread. The "E" of CENTS should just be covered by the tread. That being said if we're going to have another snowy winter it is time to think of snow tires. What about your all seasons? Well according to BCHighway.com all seasons should really be called 3 seasons. All Season tires were designed for wet and dry - not snow. Check out their website for a video demo of the difference.
Are all your fluids topped up? The last thing you want while driving down the freeway is to get some slaty slush on your window that you have to smear off because you've run out of windshield wiper fluid. Make a note for yourself to check the level regularly and while you're at it check your radiator fluid. Both are clearly marked under your hood and once again you can always ask your friendly Canadian Tire employee for guidance. :) And no - I'm not getting a commission from them. Also, make sure to buy windshield wiper fluid that can handle the winter temperatures.
3. Swap out your picnic blanket for something warmer. Throw an old wool blanket or one of those thermal foil things into your trunk, make sure to have a bottle of water and something to snack on too.
5. Buy a BCAA membership, unless your extended warranty offers road side assistance, in either case make sure to have this information in your car and accessible.
6. Either buy a phone charger for your car or make sure you leave home with a charge. Last winter I popped a tire - and was stuck on the side of the Mary Hill bypass with no BCAA or roadside assistance and a dying phone in two feet of slush. Luckily my phone held out long enough for me to place a call to BCAA buy a membership at twice the cost because it was last minute. (see what happens when you break rules 5 and 6?)
7. Buy a snow scraper/brush. How many times have you gotten frost bite on your fingers trying to brush off all that snow - and due to the lack of a tool left the snow on your hood only to have it blow back at your when you started to drive. Get the tool, stop by and see us at Winston Auto Group and we will give you the tool (that is until we run out of them) and then make sure that car is snow and ice free before you drive.
I hope these tips help - and I promise it won't be another month until I post again - so until next time . . .
Happy Driving!
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