Seasonal driving tips — Winterizing your vehicle
Summer
vehicle maintenance | Driving
on wet roads | Driving
on icy or snowy roads | Winterizing
your vehicle
Colder temperatures always bring out the
worst in a vehicle. Meanwhile, hazardous winter driving demands
its best possible performance.
To prepare your vehicle, you or a qualified
service centre should complete the following checklist:
 |
Tune up the motor. |
 |
Check fluid levels. |
 |
Change the
oil . |
 |
Check the anti-freeze. |
 |
Fill the wiper
fluid reservoir with de-icing solution. |
 |
Check the battery. |
 |
Check the tread
and air
pressure on your tires. |
 |
Inspect the
brakes. |
 |
Install good
windshield wiper blades. |
 |
Check head
and signal lights. |
 |
Ensure all
belts and hoses are in good shape. |
 |
Make sure the
heater and defroster are working properly. |
 |
Install tires appropriate for winter conditions. |
Winter season tires
- Check your tire pressure once a month. As temperatures
drop, tire pressure decreases. Check when the tires are cold,
this will give you the most accurate pressure reading.
- Installing four snow tires will provide a greater
amount of traction and control for driving in severe winter conditions.
- Wide, high-performance, or low profile tires, other than those that are specifically designed as snow tires, are not suitable for use on snow covered roads.
- Do not mix snow tires. Use the same make, size
and type on all four tires. Different tread patterns can reduce
the stability of your vehicle.
- Choose snow tires marked with a pictograph
of a snowflake inside a peaked mountain. This indicates that tire
has specifically been designed for use in severe snow conditions.
Snow tires are specifically designed to provide
better traction and braking in deep snow conditions as well as greater
stability and control on slushy roads. Some winter tires offer additional
features that will enhance the tires' performance in icy conditions.
These features may include studs, specialized rubber compounds or
additional traction enhancers moulded directly into the tire.
Always consult your local tire retailer about
your specific needs when purchasing tires to ensure you get the
tires best suited for the conditions you most frequently operate
your vehicle in.

Official snow tire logo
Also, see our fact sheet Buying
Better Tires (PDF)
Winter driving equipment
In particularly cold weather, equip your
vehicle with:
- jumper cables, a shovel, traction pads
or chains, an ice scraper and a towing cable
- flares, a blanket, a first aid kit, candles and non-perishable foods such as candy bars
- warm gloves, boots, a flashlight and
a cellular phone (if you have one)