Frigid temperatures and salty road conditions can turn minor vehicle issues into costly problems if left unchecked.
“When everything gets cold it puts an extra strain on the entire vehicle,” says Joshua Lombardo-Bottema, founder and CEO of GoWrench Auto, a mobile auto repair, tire and maintenance service. Performance related to batteries and tire pressure, which might not have been an issue in the summer when the weather was warmer, suddenly become a concern.
It’s wise to spend “a little bit of money now on maintenance to save yourself a larger bill on a repair or tow or a service call later on,” he says. The simplest example of this is getting an oil change to prevent a blown engine, which could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Here are eight tips for cold-weather car maintenance that should benefit both your vehicle and your wallet.
Upgrade to winter tires
Winter tires improve handling and stability, as well as braking performance when driving on slush, snow and ice, making it easier to avoid collisions.
“Rear-end impacts are probably one of the most common claims you’ll see in insurance, and hitting somebody from behind is automatically an at-fault claim,” says Daniel Ivans, licensed broker and insurance expert for Rates.ca.
Most insurance providers give discounts of between two and five per cent for drivers using winter tires because they’re less likely to get in an accident, he says. Keeping your driving record claims-free or without at-fault accidents means you’ll be more eligible for auto insurance discounts in the long run.
Keep on top of windshield wipers
Many drivers overlook the importance of removing ice from windshield wipers, Ivans says. Failing to do so creates challenges with visibility when drivers have dirt, slush and salt kicked up under the windshield. Better visibility reduces the likelihood of collisions, which are not only dangerous but increase your auto insurance rates.
Wiper blades should be replaced at least once a year, adds John O’Donnell, vice-president of operations and marketing for Jiffy Lube Ontario. There are now wiper blades called beam blades that match the curvature of modern-day windshields, he adds. “They’re good in the winter because the ice and the snow doesn’t stick to them as much.” Bonus: they can be used all year.
Always clear snow
Remove as much snow as possible from your car, including windshields, windows, tires, roofs and trunks, not only for safety and visibility, but also to prevent aerodynamic resistance or drag. This will increase your fuel consumption, says Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) spokesperson Nadia Matos. The same applies if driver’s have a full or overstuffed trunk, she says.
In winter, the air is much more dense, which also adds to drag force on the vehicle, and ultimately the workload on the engine, adds Ryan Peterson, CAA’s resident mechanic.
Schedule oil changes
Many drivers make the mistake of relying solely on their vehicle’s oil light to check and change their oil, O’Donnell says. Instead, it’s recommended you have your oil changed every season, or at the bare minimum, in spring and fall.
Approximately 60 per cent of the oil changes Jiffy Lube now performs use full synthetic engine oil, which makes it easier for cars to start on cold mornings, he adds.
“It’s proven to improve fuel mileage because it reduces the resistance inside the engine and it performs better in helping to reduce engine wear,” O’Donnell says. While better engine oil or synthetic engine oil may be more expensive upfront, it reduces engine wear and improves fuel economy. Regular oil changes also play a key role in overall maintenance.
Check tire pressure
As the temperature drops, so does tire pressure, Matos says. CAA advises that drivers fill their tires according to their manufacturer’s specifications, which can be found on the side door of the vehicle and in the owner’s manual.
“For every 5 C dip in temperature, tire pressure decreases by one pound per square inch, resulting in reducing handling and control of the vehicle,” she adds.
Drivers should check their tire pressure at least once a month, and especially before any major highway driving or long trips, she says, adding that your spare tire’s pressure should be checked regularly as well.
“Proper air pressure extends tread life, improves safety and reduces fuel consumption — all vital factors in saving energy and protecting the environment,” she says.
Put down floor mats
In the winter months, when everyone is tromping through snow and slush, drivers and passengers can carry salt and water into cars with their boots. That salt and water then gets soaked up into the vehicle’s carpet floor, says Rui Silvestre, owner of My Neighbourhood Mechanic.
“Underneath the carpet there’s sometimes a lot of electronics, wires, connections, that sort of thing,” he says. “So without proper floor mats, you could cause a lot of corrosion underneath the carpet.”
Stop idling
“While it is nice to get into a warm car, when you idle your vehicle all you are really doing is using the engine with no purpose and burning fuel,” Matos says. Modern-day engines are designed to warm up quickly, so extended idling is unnecessary and can waste fuel and produce excess emissions.
“Idling burns one to two litres of gas per hour, whereas restarting your car uses only 10 seconds worth of fuel — so avoid keeping your engine running if you’re parked,” she says.
Rather than idling, O’Donnell recommends drivers use their block heater when it’s cold, which can help the engine reach operating temperature much quicker.
Car battery
In the winter months, one of the top calls CAA receives is from drivers stranded with a drained car battery. “I don’t think most people realize that the average car battery only lasts about three to five years, depending on all the electrical demands placed on the battery,” Matos says.
Batteries work harder in the cold, making them more difficult to start. “Even a fully charged battery can lose 30 per cent of its power when the temperature dips below 0 C. So, if your battery is nearing the end of its lifespan, your vehicle may not start on a cold winter morning,” she says.
Some telltale signs that your battery isn’t going to last the winter months is that it’s cranking or grinding, or it just sounds like there’s more labour involved when you turn it on, Matos says. CAA does provide free battery tests, and Matos recommends drivers use them proactively to prevent future trouble.
