Winter Driving Safety Checklist

One of the essential parts of winter driving is making sure you’re prepared for all of the hazards that you could face on the road. Being a safe driver during the winter is crucial for ensuring the safety of you, your passengers and other people on the road. So before you hit the road this winter, make sure you check some of these safety tips off your list first!

• Get your car serviced before the first snowfall: Having your car in great condition can help you to avoid major accidents and car maintenance that might be brought on by the cold weather

• Check your battery: Your battery has to use more power when the weather is cold, so having your mechanic check your battery for voltage, ensuring the charging system is working, and the cable connections are properly tightened are important

• Check your cooling system: Expanding coolant can damage your vehicle’s engine, so make sure you have enough and the right kind to withstand winter temperatures. You should also have your mechanic check your cooling system for leaks, and consider having your coolant system drained

• Refill your windshield washer fluid: If a big winter storm hits, you can use a lot of your windshield washer fluid so make sure your reservoir is completely full before you head out on the road. It’s also not a bad idea to keep an extra container full in your car for emergencies

• Check windshield wipers and defrosters: Lots of new cars have defrosters built into the windshield and side mirrors, so make sure these are working for the new winter season. Also check your windshield wipers and consider replacing them if they’re worn and no longer effective

• Inspect or replace your tires: Don’t have your winter tires yet? Get them before the first snowfall to ensure you’re prepared. Always make sure to inspect your tires once a month and check for even wear, sufficient tread and that the tires are in good overall condition

• Know how to handle your car: One of the best ways to prepare yourself for winter driving is to be comfortable with your car’s unique handling abilities. Try to practice cold weather driving on side roads before heading out on the main roads, and try to stay calm when driving in cold, snowy and icy conditions

• Plan your route: Always make sure to check the weather, road conditions and traffic before you head out on the road. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go, and wait until road and weather conditions have improved if possible

• Keep your vehicle stocked: Being prepared for emergencies is a great idea for winter driving. Keep a shovel, ice scraper, road salt, jumper cables, a cell phone charger, blankets, and any other things you think you might need if you get stuck in the cold

Find out what you should be including in your emergency roadside kit from Logel’s Auto Parts in Kitchener!