With cooler weather blowing into southeast Saskatchewan, most people turned their car heaters on for the first time on the morning drive into work. Winter is coming, and we rely on our vehicles to transport us from place to place safely. That’s why ensuring your vehicle is ready for the winter months is important. Ben Anderson, store manager at Kal Tire here in Weyburn, encourages motorists to prepare and get ready.
“You want to plan ahead and make sure that when your average daily temperature reaches below 7 degrees Celsius, it's time to make that switch to winter tires. Don't wait for snow because it's going to come and it's going to catch you high and dry.”
One of the fears motorists have is that putting on their winter tires too early can cause them to wear out. Anderson states that only occurs with extreme temperatures and driving habits. Essentially, as long as you’re not racing around a track at plus 30 degrees, should be okay.
As important as winter tires are, there are more things that need to be checked and winterized before the cold weather is here to stay. Anderson reiterates that there’s more to look at besides just what is touching the ground.
“Anti-freeze that's rated to a certain temperature, and we're getting lower than that, you're going to want to make that change for sure, but most of the vehicles are designed nowadays to handle that. The main things to really concern yourself with about winterizing your vehicle would be checking your wiper blades. Make sure that they keep you clear, and also checking your battery. The last thing you want is a weak battery during the winter months.”
Most residents here in Saskatchewan have dealt with a dead battery a time or two, and the old adage rings true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so ensuring your vehicle is in fit condition in October, can help prevent breakdowns come January. However, breakdowns are sometimes unavoidable and making sure you’re prepared for situations where you could be stranded could help you survive. Anderson tells the story of some more ‘inventive’ ways but with more modern tips for today.
“Generally speaking, you want something that's going to help to keep you warm. So in the past, it was always a tin can with a lighter and a candle in it. There's probably a more inventive thing coming up these days that can be replaced that, but that will help keep you warm. Tin can also helps too if you want need to melt some snow for water and whatnot. Always having your phone charged when you're on the road so that you have that capability of reaching out if something happens, and never leaving without a full tank. Always make sure you're if you're heading on a road trip, you have that full tank to keep yourself safe.”
You can’t control what the weather does, however you can control how to prepare for it and make sure that when you’re on the road this winter, as a GPS would say, “You’ve arrived at your destination safely.”