Servicing your vehicle before the snow flies will help you stay safe on winter roads.

“Fall maintenance is an important preventative measure which will ensure your safety and the longevity of your vehicle,” said Dennis Pennie, owner of Minden Auto Care.

“This is more important in cottage country as we tend to get colder weather and the possibility for heavier snowfall. We also have limited cell service, longer response time for tow trucks and less service facilities in the area.”

Pennie’s top recommendations for general fall maintenance begin with servicing the brakes to make sure they will operate properly under winter road conditions.

Have your coolant (antifreeze) strength checked to make sure the coolant is operational to -40 degrees. Use winter wiper blades to ensure they will keep the windshield cleared effectively and won’t freeze up.

“Have the vehicle battery tested to ensure the voltage is good for cold weather startup,” added Pennie. “Have your air filter and cabin air filter checked to make sure they are clean and free of debris from rodents. This will ensure proper heat and air flow.”

Next is the switch to winter tires.

“Tires should be changed when the weather is consistently seven degrees celsius or below, which is normally the first of November. Winter tires wear faster at temperatures warmer than seven degrees … Have your winter tires checked to make sure they will stop properly and won’t slide on snow and ice-covered roads.”

Finally, ask your service provider to perform a general inspection to make sure the front end is tight and confirm the brakes are working well.

Vehicles that haven’t been maintained regularly may need additional attention. The Canada Safety Council (CSC) recommends checking heaters and defrosters, flushing the cooling system, doing a diagnostic checkup on the engine and checking the exhaust system for carbon monoxide leaks.

Maintenance shops are generally busy during the fall so Pennie recommends booking an appointment.

Safe winter driving also involves emergency preparation. The CSC’s checklist for winter safety and survival includes ensuring your spare tire is inflated properly and you have a wheel wrench and a jack. Pack a windshield scraper and snow brush and a lightweight shovel along with a wire traction mat, bag of sand or other abrasive material to help you dig out your vehicle if it gets stuck. Add battery jumper cables, flares, a first aid kit and a flashlight. The CSC also advises bringing lined winter boots, a hat, other warm clothes, a blanket, candles, a lighter or matches, and small heating cans for warmth in case you need to wait for help.

During the pandemic you may want to bring extra masks and hand sanitizer.

For more information on making your vehicle ready for safe winter driving, contact your maintenance service provider and visit canadasafetycouncil.org/get-readywinter-driving/.

A vehicle’s longevity and value can disintegrate quickly if it’s not protected through rustproofing, a film application that protects metal from contact with oxygen and water to avoid rusting.

“Annual rustproofing is important because it protects the metal, it adds to the longevity of your vehicle, it keeps your vehicle looking better for longer with less down time due to repairs and [helps ensure] a better resale value when you decide to sell,” said Chris Anderson, owner of Niche Auto in Minden.

“Cottage country is full of large hills and winding roads. These areas have to be made safe for winter driving and to do that it requires a lot of salt [or] de-icing agent … so, you have to be proactive and keep your vehicle protected.”

Different rustproofing companies may use different products and approaches. Anderson is a big believer in Fluid Film, which he said has been leading the market since 1940.

“It has been proven in the most extreme conditions and is used by the Canadian and American Army, Navy and Air Force, exclusively,” said Anderson. “In Fluid Film there are no solvents, it is non-toxic, nonhazardous, it protects all metals, stops rust on contact and is long-lasting.”

Anderson differs in service approach by offering both garage-based and mobile options. Customers can go to the Niche garage or, for three or more vehicles, Anderson will come to them with a mobile lift that can raise halfton trucks or with ramps for larger vehicles.

“This service works great for large families, businesses and anyone that doesn’t have the time to drive their vehicles around and wait for service or try to organize rides.”

Anderson’s own experiences led him to start the mobile service. He found rustproofing vendors were not located within walking distance of stores or entertainment where customers could pass the time while waiting, and given the wait times or pickup needs, business owners were often paying for the treatment and the wages for two employees just for one vehicle.

“What if they have trailers, campers, RVs, or heavy equipment?” asked Anderson. “So, I made a service tailored for busy people that are interested in protecting their daily drives and anything else they could possibly want protected.”

Anderson recommends rustproofing your vehicle in spring as well as fall to make up for any rustproofing film loss due to harsh winter conditions and to protect against gravel chips. In addition, the metal is exposed to more moisture in spring, summer and fall than in winter when water turns to ice, and rustproofing fluid tends to creep more easily in warmer weather.

“[If] you were to do just one spray a year I recommend getting it done in late summer – August or September … but what is really important, is to just make sure you get it done before the salt hits the road.”