Be Car Care Aware

Oct 17, 2012

Car Safety Top of Mind this October

October is Car Safety Month, and an important time for people to start thinking about preparing their vehicles for winter. Snow will be falling soon enough, roads will be slippery, and temperatures will continue to get colder.

As Canadians, and with mounting global economic uncertainty, it likely comes as no surprise that we are driving our vehicles longer, a fact that is making routine maintenance such as preparing for winter driving conditions more imperative than ever before.

According to the 2011 Canadian Automotive Demand Study, produced by AIA in cooperation with DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, almost 42% of vehicles on Canadian Roads are between six and 12 years old. Yet those older vehicles are being under-maintained by an average of $239 per vehicle.

As we tell our clients, this cost isn’t astronomical, but it is a well-made investment in the health and safety of themselves, their family, and their fellow motorists on our roads and highways.

To help prepare your vehicle for winter driving conditions, there are a few easy to follow tips that should be considered:

Take your Vehicle for a Check Up

As humans, it’s important that we have regular medical check ups to make sure things are working as they should be. It’s no different for your vehicle. As you get ready to embark on a new driving season, take your car into a professional service provider to make sure things are running properly, and your vehicle is as safe as possible.

Winter Tires

The importance of winter tires cannot be understated. The rubber compound of a winter tire is relatively soft, whereby the rubber of an all-season tire will start to lose elasticity and harden at temperatures around 7 degrees, greatly reducing grip. Winter tires will only harden at around minus 40 degrees; and therefore retain their elasticity for much longer.

Check your Tire Treads and Pressure

The condition of your vehicle’s treads and pressure is crucial when driving on snow or ice. Make sure to also check the tire pressure of the spare tire.

Keep your Gas Tank at Least Half Full

This limits condensation in your tank and reduces gas-line freezing. Adding a little gas-line antifreeze every second fill-up will also prevent gas-line freezing.

Wipers and Fluid

Wiper blades that are cracked, torn, that chatter or streak should be replaced, as they will impair your visibility.

Also make sure to keep extra jugs of window washer fluid in your vehicle so you don’t run out.

Keep an Emergency Kit in the Car

A winter roadside safety and emergency kit can be a real lifesaver if your car breaks down in nasty or cold weather.

You can view the suggested contents of an emergency kit and other winter driving tips and best practices at www.becarcareaware.ca

If you follow these tips, and drive according to road conditions, you will improve not only your safety on the road, but that of your fellow motorists.

Here’s to a safe and healthy winter season!

Source: http://www.fountaintire.com/media/upload/Be-Car-Care-Aware.pdf

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