Winter maintenance essentials for your car

Proper quality tires are essential to winter road safety. Aside from switching to a suitable set of winter tires before the snow settles in, check on your tire pressure every two weeks throughout the winter months. You can do this with a pressure gauge. If you need to make any adjustments, grab a tire inflator.

When you check the air pressure, also note the wear, tread depth, and pattern of your tires. Replace your tires if they have deep cracks or treads less than 6 mm deep. For all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles, if one tire needs replacing, replace all four at once. Otherwise, you risk changing how your vehicle handles the road, causing uneven wear across your tires.

If you need help to change your tires, follow this guide.

To avoid too many jump starts, make sure your battery is in good condition to last the winter. Using a multimeter or battery tester, confirm that your battery’s voltage reaches 12.6 V or higher. If it doesn’t, it needs to be charged or replaced.

Winter weather is a good reason to invest in a trickle charger or battery warming device, like a battery blanket. These accessories will make it easier for your vehicle to manage cold starts.

Some parts of your car need to be switched out seasonally to accommodate the change in weather. Windshield wipers, for example, should go from whisking away rain and bug residue to tackling snow and ice. Winter wiper blades, combined with winter-specific washer fluid, are essential to improving your visibility this time of year.

Depending on your vehicle type and the climate you live in, you may also need to switch your coolant or antifreeze to one made for winter. You can read more about choosing the right coolant for your vehicle here.

When browsing for any items on NAPACanada.com, remember to input your vehicle details in the top left corner to be matched with products guaranteed to fit.

Aside from safety essentials, you can also make winter in your car more comfortable with some cozy (and sensible) auto accessories.

For instance, you can protect your car’s seats and floor from salt and grime this winter with car seat covers and winter floor mats. You can also grab a fender cover or car cover to protect your vehicle’s exterior from the elements.

Winter driving can be unpredictable. If you’re going on any long trips this season, especially to more remote areas, pack a winter emergency kit in your trunk before you set off.

These tools may come in handy if you must make a sudden stop on the road:

• portable light
• tire repair kit
• first-aid kit
• blankets and hand warmers
• non-perishable snacks

Find more recommended items for your winter emergency car kit here.

Throughout winter, you can continue with smaller maintenance tasks to keep your car performing its best, like these:

• Drive at least once every two weeks and combine short trips into one.
• Check the windshield wiper fluid level once a month and refill as needed.
• Wash your car every two weeks to prevent rust.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent the gas line from freezing.

If you have a luxury, sport, or exotic car, chances are you’ll store it for the winter. Follow this guide to prep your car for its winter hibernation.

Even with a well-maintained, winterized vehicle, driving in the snow can be nerve-wracking. To keep your confidence up on the road in winter, check out these winter driving tips. The most important thing to remember is to take your time – it’s always better to arrive a bit late from going slow than to rush and get into an accident.

Also ensure all your windows – including your windshield – are fully cleared before you head on the road. Not only is it dangerous to drive with extremely limited visibility, it’s also illegal in almost all jurisdictions.

For questions about winter car maintenance, visit your local NAPA Auto Parts store to speak with an expert.