Rick's Tips: Preparing your vehicle for winter driving.

Today Rick Cain is going to talk about preparing your vehicle for winter driving, where it is very important your vehicle is safe for your family and yourself.

All too often drivers neglect to do maintenance before winter arrives which could end up with a low battery, bad tires, bad brakes, bad wiper blades, all causing hazardous driving during the winter. I want to go over a few items here to show you how to prepare your vehicle for good driving in the winter months.

One of the easiest things to check, and one of the most important is your wiper blades. A worn wiper blade will cause streaking which could blur your vision while driving. You must also check the tips to make sure they are still in good shape. Most vehicle come with all season wiper blades. In the winter time, you may opt to install winter blades which are covered in rubber to stop freezing and streaking on the windshield and promote safe driving.

The next item we want to check on your vehicle is your battery. You want to have a good reliable battery with long cranking time for the cold weather. Make sure your terminals are clean and the level checked if available or applicable. It would be a good idea to have your battery checked by your technician to ensure you have enough cranking hours when it gets cold.

Your engine coolant should be clean and also good for approximately 45 degrees below 0. There are various types of anti-freeze recommended depending on the make of the vehicle. Ensure you have the right type of coolant for your car or truck. We recommend a coolant flush every 2 years to make sure your anti-freeze is efficient.

All seasons tires are great in the rain, during the summer months and even in the fall months. But for winter driving in Canada, you need snow tires. Snow tires are made of a different composition of rubber and they help grip in the colder weather. At 14 degrees Celsius, all seasons tires become very hard and they don’t grip the road as well as snow tires do. All seasons tires have on average 4 to 5 millimeters of treads. On snow tires, you get around 10 to 11 millimeters. More traction means more safety.

Southbank Dodge Chrysler Jeep is ready to prepare your vehicle for winter driving. We have a special package that includes changing your oil and filter, checking all fluid levels, checking brakes and tire as well as a wheel alignment if necessary. Contact Southbank Dodge Chrysler Jeep Service Department today at 613-731-1970 .

You can also watch the video on Preparing your vehicle for winter driving.

Rick Cain is a long time Service Manager at Southbank Dodge Chrysler Jeep.


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Should You Be Thinking About Winter Tires Already?

You may want to consider a new set or prepare for a long, tough winter drive.

Are you planning on getting through the winter on your car's all-season tires? Are your tires good enough to perform in winter driving conditions? Your life may depend on your answer. How much tread do they have left? If the tires have less than 4/32 tread depth left, you should consider a new set or prepare for a tough winter drive. Remember that with a two-ton vehicle, it is just four hand-sized contact patches that touch the road, provide the grip needed for accelerating, braking, and handling. That's not much keep you and your passengers safe, especially in the cold, with a glaze of ice.


If you want winter tires, don't wait — the retail season is in full swing right now. You might find yourself out of luck if you procrastinate until the first snow fall. We have great offers at Southbank Nation to help you find the right winter tires for your vehicle.

Here are some tips to guide you through the process:

All-season tires: all-season tires provide good all-around traction to handle dry, wet, and wintry conditions, but they tend not to be a master of any one condition. All-season tires are a good choice for modest winter conditions or when you can wait until the roads are plowed.

Winter tires: These tires are specially made for use in freezing temperatures and on snow and ice. Winter tires have a mountain and snowflake symbol on the sidewall indicating they meet challenging snow traction criteria. But like all-season tires, there is some compromise to consider, with so-so dry and wet grip and fast wear for many models. Consider winter tires if you have to drive in severe winter conditions.

Bottom line: Consider your winter tire needs now to be sure you can get the tires you want before the snow starts falling.

Springtime maintenance prepares your car for summer!

Winter is without a doubt tough on a lot of things, including your car. Low temperatures, snow and ice, road salt and potholes put your car to the test.

If you are like most of us, you try to take your car in for service before the cold hits to make sure it will make it to spring. Well, spring is here and there are a number of things you want to do to your car to avoid breakdowns and ensure its best performance for those summer trips.

Spring is the perfect time to get rid of old man winter's effects and get ready to enjoy the warmer weather.

Our service plans pay attention to the most important parts of you car, making sure it's always ready to go.

Batteries work harder when it's cold. Testing and replacing old or weak batteries, can be cheaper than a tow and replacement on the road.

Cold weather can reduce tire pressure. We will make sure that all tires, including the spare, are properly inflated. This practice, along with keeping your tires balanced and wheels properly aligned, will also help you save on gas.

We will inspect and replace worn or cracked belts, as well as radiator hoses that are blistered, brittle or too soft. Belts and hoses older than five years, even if they look intact, might need to be replaced.

There can't be enough said about how important your brakes are. A spring checkup can uncover any winter damage such as rust. The brake system inspection, includes checking lines, hoses, pads, brake fluid and parking brake.

Deep potholes aren't friendly to shocks and struts. A suspension check up will determine wear or leaks which can alleviate bigger issues down the road.

We will inspect the antifreeze/coolant level, the transmission fluid, power steering fluid making sure they meet the specifications listed in the vehicle owner's manual for top performance and longer engine life.

Check out our Recommended Maintenance Schedule page to see which package suits your needs, and get ready to enjoy the summer!