The Manitoba Driver > The first snowfall is coming: is your vehicle ready?

The Manitoba Driver, from Manitoba Public Insurance
November 2007

418 words
The first snowfall is coming: is your vehicle ready?

When it comes to preparing your vehicle for winter driving, snow tires are truly where the rubber hits the road – not to mention the hard-packed snow and ice.

“All-season radials provide a good, safe alternative for many road conditions, but day-in, day-out, they’re not always the best option for a true Prairie winter like Manitoba’s,” says Lou Gervino, manager of Driver Education for Manitoba Public Insurance.

“The reason is, the rubber in snow tires is designed to maintain its grip in lower temperatures better than the rubber used in all-season tires. It gives you a little extra edge in the safety department.”

Tires that have a peaked mountain and snowflake symbol meet traction requirements for severe snow conditions. Transport Canada advises that vehicle handling is better when tires of the same type, size, speed rating and load index are installed on all four wheels.

Aside from having the right tires, you should also make sure they’re correctly inflated – which contributes to better fuel efficiency as well as safer driving. For more information on winter tires, including a list of tires rated for severe snow conditions, see the Rubber Association of Canada website, www.betiresmart.ca.

Of course, winterizing your vehicle doesn’t stop with the tires. You should also get a tuneup, an oil change and an inspection that includes the brakes and all the major systems: fuel, ignition, electrical, heating and cooling, and exhaust systems. If you have a remote starter, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s working properly with your immobilizer. Make sure your wiper blades are in good shape and that you have windshield wiper fluid of a type that won’t freeze.

Other gear that’s important to have for safely traveling through the winter months includes:

Extension cord for plugging in
Extra gloves
Cell phone
Snow shovel
Traction aids, such as anti-skid mats, sand or salt
Lock de-icer (in your pocket – not locked in your vehicle)
Booster cables (check your owners manual for proper usage)
Flares or reflectors
Flashlight
Tool kit
Spare fuses and bulbs

And if you are heading out on the highway, you should also make sure your vehicle is stocked with a survival kit that includes:

Candle and matches
Non-perishable food
Warm clothes and blankets
First-aid kit

“There are times when the safest choice is to stay off the roads altogether, but if you do find yourself in extreme winter driving conditions, you’ll at least be prepared,” Gervino says.

(See related article, ‘The first snowfall is coming: are you ready?’)

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Look for this symbol when shopping for winter tires. Tires that have it meet specific winter traction performance requirements, and have been designed specifically for use in severe winter conditions