Make This the Safest Winter Yet

The holiday season can be a stressful time of year, but none of the stress should come from your vehicle.

Everyone has a favourite season, and for some folks, the cold temps, crisp days, and cozy nights make winter their favourite time of year. That being said, no one likes winter driving. Even in Victoria, where we don’t get much snow, the rain, ice, and slush create road hazards that add to the difficulties of daily driving. Even the cold temperatures themselves can increase the likelihood of having an accident.

Even if you don’t get into an accident, the de-icing treatments used on the roads present a different type of hazard. Salt and sand added to the roads can cause serious damage to your body panels and subframe. If unattended, rust can drastically shorten the lifespan of your vehicle.

Here are a few things you can do this season to reduce the danger of winter driving.

Check Tire Pressure and Condition

Making sure your tires are properly inflated is the easiest thing you can to to improve traction. Remember that over-inflating tires actually reduces the grip, so follow the directions in your owner’s manual.

If your tires are nearing the end of their life, you should consider replacing them for winter. Even tires that aren’t officially dead have reduced performance on wet or icy roads. Also, make sure your tires are rated for the season: in BC, you need to have designated winter tires, or tires that bear the M+S symbol.

Get Autobody Repair Before Winter Sets In

Any body damage that your car sustained during the summer or fall needs to be repaired before winter sets in. Rust only needs the tiniest opening to gain access to your car’s body panels, so make sure your paint is in proper shape.

Not sure where to go? Island Color has been doing minor collision repair for over 20 years, and know exactly what it takes to get your vehicle ready for winter. Getting in touch is the first step towards safe winter driving.

Wash and Protect

Repairing any damage is the first priority, but once this is out of the way, you should give your vehicle a thorough wash and wax. This will help your car shrug off the worst of winter. After winter has set in, dry to give the underside of your vehicle a rinse every now and then. Road salt will cake onto the underside of your vehicle, and if left there, can do serious damage. A simple rinse is all that’s needed.

Check the Spare Tire

The scene of an accident or a snowy highway in the middle of nowhere is not when you want to find out that your spare tire has lost pressure or the release mechanism is faulty. Give your spare a quick check, it might be the smartest thing you do all season!