How To Prepare Your Car For Winter

In Canada, winter can do some serious damage to your car if you're not careful. You may lose hundreds (or thousands) of dollars of value on your vehicle and may have to pay even more for repairs. Winter also presents more difficult driving conditions, and it's important to be ready for them. To avoid causing harm to you or your vehicle, be sure you know how to prepare your vehicle for winter. At the Insurance Experts, we've compiled a list of tips to help you do just that!

• Get winter tires. All-season tires do not actually mean that they work for every season. When the temperature drops, you will need a set of winter tires. They have specially designed treads which give you better traction on icy roads. 
• Buy the right windshield wiper fluid. When the temperature drops below zero, you may find that your regular windshield wiper fluid begins to freeze when it hits the windshield. This can cause you visibility problems while driving, a very serious safety risk. When it begins to get cold, have your regular windshield wiper fluid swapped for the winter variety. 
• Invest in the right wipers. Nothing is worse than driving to work and realising that your wipers don't actually do their job. They may wipe only half the windshield, forcing you to crouch down and try to view the road through the limited space given to you. This is not safe and could lead to a serious collision. Be sure you have winter rated windshield wipers that are able to handle the colder temperature. 
• Get rid of road salt. Road salt can cause serious erosion problems to your vehicle. It's important to wash your car regularly in the winter, to avoid damage from road salt. Also consider waxing your vehicle regularly, as it is an effective protective layer against salt. 

With these tips in mind, you can rest assured your vehicle will be safe in the winter. You should also talk to a trusted mechanic, as they have greater knowledge about what your particular vehicle will need and what kinds of treatments are important in your region.