The temperatures in Canada have started dropping and winter is officially just around the corner. As you prep your home and wardrobe for the cold weather, it’s also time to do the same for your car. Winter doesn’t have to be hard on your vehicle – providing you do your prep well. Read on for our top tips on how to get your car ready for winter.

Get everything checked out:

The last thing you want is for your car to break down in the middle of nowhere with a blizzard on the way. Getting your car serviced before the weather really starts to freeze is always a good idea. It allows a mechanic to check every little detail under the hood to make sure your car is working as it should. It’s also the perfect time to:

• Load up on fluids: Get all the fluids in your car checked, changed, and topped up as necessary. If your oil change is due soon, now’s a good time to have it done. The auto technician should also check the brake fluid, look for and repair any leaks, and make sure the antifreeze is strong enough for a harsh winter. Top up your window washer fluid and keep a spare can in the car boot.
• Check the battery: The cold can play havoc with an old battery. Ask you mechanic to do a battery health check. If its on its way out – get it changed.

Also, replace any lights that look like they are on their way out.

Wiper blade replacement:

Visibility can get pretty bad during the winter. If your wipers already leave streaks when you use them, it’s definitely time to get them changed. Make sure you use a de-icer or an ice scraper to remove ice from your windshield when starting your car after it has been parked for a while. Also, remember to move your wipers out and away from your windshield to prevent them from freezing to it. You can also switch to hardier winter wiper blades for better visibility and to save your other blades from getting damaged sooner.

Lubrication:

The winter frost can be harsh on all the moving parts of your car. To prevent being locked out of your car make sure you lubricate the locks – even if you normally use a key fob. Lubricate the weather stripping around the door as well. Freezing water can also get into your window tracks and spoil the mechanism. Use a silicone or Teflon spray into the tracks with your windows lowered, making sure you spray enough so that it drips all the way down the track. Also lubricate all the latches and hinges to stop them from getting stuck. 

Prepare a car winter-care kit:

Your car won’t mind if it’s not all in a pretty basket with a bow – but it will definitely thank you for it. Keep a car winter care kit in your boot with a brush for the snow, a de-icer, ice-scraper, wiper fluid, portable jumper pack and cables, sand or kitty litter, small shovel, flashlight, and spare batteries.

Put together a survival kit for yourself too with blankets, gloves, energy bars and other non perishable food and drink, phone charging cable, first aid kit, and heat packets.

Winter tires:

Winter tires have deep treads that give you better traction on the roads and are required in many provinces to drive on highways. Swopping out your all-season tires for winter tires can make your commutes safer and reduce the wear and tear on your usual tires. 

If you need to rent a vehicle during the cold winter months, you want to make sure that the vehicle is winter ready to ensure your safety on the roads. Ascent Car Rental has a selection of cars that are winter ready along with SUVs and AWDs that are equipped with winter tires so you’re set for that winter road trip you’ve always wanted to take. Whether you need rack hitches or snow tires, get in touch with us to ask us about what we offer and to book the perfect car for your upcoming trip.