Protecting your car from the Quebec winter: 3 tips

The harsh Canadian winter can be difficult on our vehicles, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are a few easy winter auto maintenance tips to help preserve your vehicle from the bitter cold of the True North…

Is the defroster on your windows working? Great! Do you have a nice snow brush and ice scraper on hand? Awesome! You’re off to a good start, but there are a few other quick tests and do-it-yourself projects you can perform to winterize your automobile.

This brief checklist will assist you in winterizing your vehicle and could save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run. As usual, consult your owner’s manual for detailed information about your vehicle’s components and how to do these checks properly.

1. Protect your paint job

As the temperatures drop due to the winter weather, you may want to reconsider where you park your vehicle. It’s not ideal to be completely exposed to the ice-cold elements, and repeatedly brushing snow and scraping ice off your automobile might cause scratches. A shelter can help protect your vehicle’s gleaming exterior.

If you have a garage, we recommend that you clear it out to create room for your vehicle. If you don’t have a garage, it might be worth investing in a winter car tent from Auvents Polo.
When your car is parked, a reliable cover or garage shelter will protect it, but what about when you’re driving? The bodywork could be harmed by slushy snow and rock salt. Regular winter car washes and even protective waxing during these months will assist preserve your paint job in perfect condition.

2. Prepare your tires

Winter tires are required in some areas (B.C. and Quebec) at this time of year. In every other province and territory, having the proper tires is strongly advised if you intend to drive in winter conditions.
However, whether you opt to replace your regular tires with snow tires or not, you should monitor tire pressure on a frequent basis as the weather cools. Low tire pressure is typical in cold weather because temperature fluctuations cause the air in your tires to expand and contract. This can result in increased wear and tear, decreased performance, and possibly an accident.

3. Prepare a winter emergency kit

Storing a winter emergency kit in your vehicle, especially when the cold weather arrives, provides peace of mind while travelling in severe weather, not to mention how grateful you’ll be if you ever become trapped anywhere.
Items in a winter survival kit could include:

• Portable Jumper Pack
• Jumper Cables
• Tow Rope
• Sand/Salt
• Handheld Shovel
• LED Roadside Flares
• Blankets
• Hand warmers & Heat Packets
• Hats & Gloves
• Ice Scraper
• Snowbrush
• De-icer

Most importantly, adapt your driving to the conditions. Winter driving is slower, and never tailgate! Seriously! If you have to slow down on a slick road, you’ll need that margin of error. Allow people to anticipate your actions by signalling ahead of time, and always drive with your headlights on.

Now no more excuses, you have all the keys to properly maintenance your vehicle when the Quebec winter comes! Drive safe!