Winter Driving in Saskatchewan

How well did you prepare your vehicle for winter? Here are some things to remember and some tips to help ready yourself for a winter trip. Plan to be safe this winter when you are out on the road, reducing the stress of winter driving.

Have your vehicle inspected and serviced to be sure you won’t break down in the cold. Winter conditions with snow, cold and icy roads demand that a vehicle be in top condition. For this reason, a winter readiness inspection is a necessity, and in the end is less annoying and less costly than battery boosts, calling a tow truck, being late and those unplanned hotel stays half way to your destination.

Before it’s too late and you’re on the side of the road or worse, stopped in the middle of the road, give us a call, e-mail or book online to set up an appointment for your vehicle. You will know the condition of your vehicle and what needs to be done for safe winter driving.

Having a block heater on your car and using it when temperatures are colder than -15⁰c is the least expensive way to prevent engine damage from cold winter starts; just make sure you unplug before driving away.

Remember; daytime running lights on your vehicle usually only have the headlights on, not the park lights. They provide less light than when you turn the lights on yourself. At dusk or inclement weather you need to turn the lights on manually so others can see you from the front and the back; swirling snow, fog and cloudy days make it difficult to see and to be seen.

Tips before you head out on the road each day:

·        Unplug the car

·        Brush the snow off your car.

·        Scrape the windshield, rear and side windows.

·        Clear your heater air intake (this is usually between the windshield and the hood).

·        Clean your headlights, tail lights and signal lights.

·        Be sure to clear your tissue boxes, sunglasses, papers, etc., away from defroster                  outlets or your windows won’t clear properly.

For out of town or even for short trips, follow this link for information on what survival equipment to take with you in your vehicle: http://crestviewautoservice.blogspot.ca/2014/10/prepared-for-winter.html

Prepared for Winter

Are you prepared for winter driving? What should you take with you this winter?

Be prepared by keeping these items handy in your vehicle: 

• Spare Winter Clothing & Boots
• Emergency Drinking Water/Dried Food
• Emergency Blanket (& extra sleeping bag)
• Flashlight w/ Batteries
• Weatherproof Emergency Flares/Cones
• Emergency Whistle w/lanyard
• Hand Warmers (Pair), Feet Warmers (Pair)
• "Call Police" banner
• Safety matches
• A supply of Emergency Candles
• Coffee Can - one for candles & on for melting snow
• First Aid Kit

Additional Tips:

• Many people have their cell phones. But do you keep a car charger for your phone in your vehicle at all times?
• Winter Traction on ice can be enhanced by putting kitty litter down on the ice in front of the tires - but avoid clay based kitty litters, as it will mix with snow/slush and cause mud. 
• A small shovel is helpful in case you have to dig yourself out, it doesn't have to be big but it needs to be sturdy enough not to break,
• Glow sticks can be a handy way to alert emergency vehicles. Tie a shoelace to the end and by swinging it around like a lasso, it is a very effective signal from the ground or the sky. 

Fuel Economy Tips you can take to the bank

The following maintenance and driving tips can translate into fuel cost savings and cash in the bank; read along to find ways you can save some cash. It’s like paying less for fuel each time you fill up. Information gathered from Car Care Canada.

1)     Tires inflated properly, even one tire that is 8 PSI low can have the same affect as saving up to $0.04/litre. For the average driver that’s the same as saving $69 a year in fuel cost. If you drive a truck it can be over $100 per year.

2)     Avoid aggressive driving, this can mean up to a 40% change in fuel cost. For a car that could be a savings of almost $700 a year and over $1000 with a truck.

3)     Remove excessive weight, for every 45 kgs (100 lbs.) extra weight in the vehicle, fuel economy drops between 1 and 2% that’s between $30 and $50 a year for every 45 kgs. So the question is - What’s in your trunk?

4)     Use a block heater; because a cold engine does not burn fuel efficiently you will use more fuel starting your car/truck in winter when it is not plugged in. Depending on how cold it gets, this can make a difference of up to 10% on economy during the cold winter months.

5)     Properly tuned engine, from maintenance tune-ups to major running issues the benefits add up. Annual savings from $100 to over $1000 a year in extreme cases.

6)     Observe the speed limit. Reducing speed from 120 km/h to 110 km/h typically saves at least 10%, the bigger the vehicle the more you save. Annual savings of $175 to over $500.

      Crestview Auto Service is a proud partner of Trusted Saskatoon and will work with you as "We'll Help Keep Your Vehicle Young A Long Time" - visit us online at www.crestviewautoservice.ca or call at (306) 244-6522.