Towards the end of last winter’s relentless bouts of sleet, hail and snow, it hardly would have seemed possible for the weather to wind up being even worse a year later. But the Old Farmer’s Almanac has predicted just that – tear-inducing thermometer readings and road-clogging piles of snow that threaten to overshadow the horrendous conditions of last winter. And central Canada? That part of the country will likely get the brunt of the wintery onslaught, according to the almanac.
Wherever you happen to live in the Great White North, it makes sense to ensure that your vehicle is up to the challenge this winter driving season.
Andy Gallen, service manager of Moncton Kia Corner in New Brunswick, provided a few tips that will help ensure that your vehicle performs well during less-than-ideal driving conditions that can include anything from black ice to snow to slush.
“Get the battery tested just to make sure it’s good,” said Gallen who added that getting the coolant checked is also a good idea. “Get your winter tires put on. Maybe do a visual of the brakes to make sure everything’s good for the winter.”
According to Gallen, now would also be an ideal time to have an oil change done if you haven’t already gotten around to it. And don’t forget the wipers since you obviously need them to be in good repair to maximize visibility.
“A lot of people just change them about the same time they change their tires to get ready for the winter,” he said. “And then there’s the all-season blades as well. What I would say is to take a peek at them and make sure they’re good. Most of the wipers we have contain an all-season blade. They’re good pretty much all year around.”
In addition to the advice provided by Gallen, you can also add the following to your list of things to consider: ensure your heater and defroster work properly, inspect bulbs and lights, and have the exhaust system looked at.
Safe and happy motoring!
Ian Palmer, a blogger for Carpages.ca, lives in Northern Ontario. Follow him on Twitter.
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