We certainly don’t dress the same in the summer as we do in
the winter and our vehicles shouldn’t either. Cathie Clark of Auto Park
Mitsubishi suggests vehicle owners should consider “dressing” their vehicles
appropriately for Canada’s varied climate conditions.
“We have extreme cold with a lot of precipitation, a lot of
snow hail and we have extreme heat. We really need to make sure our vehicles
are equipped well with their two separate wardrobes so to speak,” explains
Clark.
Just as no wardrobe is complete without a selection of footwear;
your vehicle needs to change it up each season as well.
“An all season tire performs differently from a winter
tire,” says Clark, adding that winter tire treads are softer and more pliable.
This helps them to grip ice- and snow-covered roads. She stresses that as
spring approaches it’s important to put those winter tires back in the closet
since they’ll wear out quickly on hot dry pavement.
“Having two sets of tires may seem like more money at the
outset but you’re going to get a longer lifespan out of both sets of tires and
you are going to have a better chance of staying on the road with the right set
of tires.”
Battery boost: If your battery is acting up in the fall,
needing a boost once in a while, get a new one before winter sets in, advises
Clark. Extreme cold impacts the fluids in a vehicle, including the fluid in the
battery.
Clear vision: The pink windshield washer fluid that is so
effective in cleaning away all of those squished bugs, won’t perform well in
the winter. Be sure to switch to the blue or green fluid which contains
antifreeze effective up to -40 degrees. Clark recommends checking out a new
wiper blade design that actually keeps the entire blade in contact with the windshield,
making for a clean sweep with no spots missed.
Maintain: Regular maintenance is necessary no matter what
the season as are regular oil changes. With every second oil change, Clark
suggests that the vehicle’s tires should be rotated and balanced. This promotes
even tire wear and they will last longer.
Test the air: Before that first summer heat wave, be sure to
have your air conditioning system checked for leaks. You’ll want it to be
blowing nice cool air the first time you need to switch it on.
To find out more about making your vehicle safe for the
season, talk to a service advisor at Auto Park about your car’s summer and
winter attire or visit
www.autopark.ca.
