LIVING
her ride
pre-winter checklist My relationship with my car consists of driving it, fuelling it, and occasionally cleaning its interior — when I’ve run out of room for passengers. But, just as slathering on extra moisturizer protects skin from the cold, vehicles also need extra attention as the weather cools. By Jody Robbins I went to the two people I knew I could trust for advice: a female mechanic, and my brother (also a licensed mechanic), figuring they’d steer me straight on what to do.
Watch your fluid intake: Summer
Check the battery: Batteries that are on their way out are less likely to start in cold weather. Since their shelf life is approximately four years, have them checked twice a year. Keep the connections clean: If battery terminals get corroded, they develop resistance, and the alternator may not charge (it’s fooled into thinking it’s fully charged). Engines should also be kept clean, to run cooler, and allow mechanics to spot leaks. Head to a manual car wash at least once a year, set the dial to engine de-greasing (or the tire wash setting), and gently spray under the hood.
Clear your view: Winter weather limits visibility; consider switching to winter wiper blades, which have a plastic coating that won’t freeze up.
Pressurize: Cold air causes tires to shrink, losing one to two psi per month. To avoid getting a flat, check the tire pressure
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windshield washer fluid doesn’t contain antifreeze, so switch to winter, which does. Regular oil changes keep everything running smoothly: don’t wait until blinking lights tell you the engine is grinding to a halt; consult the vehicle owner’s manual for recommended timing (typically every 5,000 to 10,000 km). Licensed mechanic Stacey Loudon also suggests getting the coolant checked before the snow flies, “otherwise it can gel and freeze up, and won’t rotate through your engine.”
monthly. A sticker inside the driver’s door states tire size and optimum pressure.
Snow shoes: “All season tires are just three season tires,” warns my brother, Stuart Robbins. If you don’t have a snowflake imprinted on the side of the tire, you don’t have winter tires. He recommends buying extra rims specifically for winter tires. Rims cost approximately $50 each, but are worth it. It’s usually around $40 to unbolt and rotate four tires on rims, versus at least $100 to take one set of tires off the rims and put another set on. “Besides saving money in the long run, there’s less risk. Every time a tire is changed, there’s a chance the tire machine may catch a bead and wreck the tire,” he warns.
Check belts and hoses: Rubber deteriorates, resulting in hoses that leak and belts that fly off. Get these checked at regular intervals; change them every three to five years.
Keep an eye on things: Have a vehicle inspection annually, especially if yours is more than 10 years old. Find a place you can trust. Failing that, go to the dealer where things were last checked, as they know your vehicle’s history, recommends Loudon. “People who don’t care about keeping their vehicle in good working order tend to go to places that overcharge,” she notes. And it never hurts to read the owner’s manual.
Emergency supplies: My brother suggests adding these items to an emergency car kit, to put it in top gear: matches, empty can, duct tape, large bag of potato chips. Why? Chips burn well because they’re so oily (about a minute per chip inside the can), offering heat, light and a nice snack. Duct tape also burns, and can fix almost anything. n JODY ROBBINS IS A CALGARY-BASED FREELANCE LIFESTYLES WRITER. FOLLOW HER AT TWITTER.COM/JODY_ROBBINS
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