At the Canadian Tire roadside assistance call centre, the first cold snap usually means a long day for tow truck drivers and phone dispatchers. According to their statistics, roadside emergency calls increase by a staggering 529% when the thermometer dips below -10°C.
That’s because all-season tires are affected by cold temperatures, more so than snow.
To prepare your car – and your family – for cold weather safety, Canadian Tire recommends taking these three key steps:
1. Change to winter tires (they’re not actually called snow tires, because they are rated according to temperature) or all-weather tires. And this just in: all-weather tires are not the same as all-season tires. They are stamped with the Rubber Association of Canada’s “mountain/snowflake” symbol, which means they are made of a rubber that is formulated to stay more pliable in the colder weather specifically. All-weather tires can be driven on year-round, making them ideal for drivers who don’t want to incur the expense of changing tires twice a year and storing them. Winter tires will still outperform all-weather tires though. 2. Change your windshield wiper blades and check your fluid levels. You want to avoid the situation of being stuck at the side of the road unable to drive because you can’t see out! 3. Check your battery. Calls to the roadside assistance service for battery boosts rose 1400% on cold days. Don’t be that guy. Knowing how much life is left in your battery will save you sitting in the mall parking lot waiting for a tow, or having to ask a stranger for a boost.Until December 31, 2011, visit your local Canadian Tire for a free battery check.
