SAVINGS
Protections
SECURE YOUR CAR DURING THE WINTER
In this winter period when the temperature can drop to -25 degrees, it is advisable to secure your vehicle. Being behind the wheel of a car in the snow, on the ice and during the storm is very risky. So, to avoid any unforeseen events and to manage your car well during the winter, here are some tips to take into account.
#1 Find out the conditions for driving a car before getting behind the wheel
To help you get on the road during the winter months, please consult the weather forecast. Thanks to this map you will know all the weather conditions of the moment and the future on all road networks. In particular, it gives you all the information on the state of the road (closed or cleared). To conclude, it gives you the information you need for all your travels during this winter.
#2 Equip yourself with an emergency kit in your car
People tend to think that insurance companies and insurance brokers are too cautious? On the other hand, if you read the news columns in the newspapers, you must understand that we are only rationalists. In addition, you should always have an emergency kit in your car. This will be useful in the event of an accident or when your car breaks down. It should contain equipment that helps you get out of the snow such as a shovel, snow brush, scraper, anti-slip plates and winter windshield washer fluid.
#3 Always have good reflexes
Faced with a car that is skidding, what is the reflex that a driver should have? Skidding happens especially when you take a little too fast in a corner. In order to stop the skid, start loosening your foot from the accelerator or brake and turn the wheels following the direction of the curve of the road. However, these actions must be done gently. But if your vehicle skids from the rear, steer the front wheels in the same direction as the rear wheels. In the event of repeated slippage, this technique must be repeated. In addition, all these maneuvers must be done delicately, quickly and you must always look at the road as well as the cars you reach.
#4 Determine all the winter pitfalls on your road
When driving your car during the winter, you should be aware of all the pitfalls that can present themselves in front of you. Among the traps you have to face on the road in winter is black ice. The latter gives you the impression of a dry road. Black ice is invisible to the naked eye. This is especially the case when the temperature is around 0 °C. Then there are also the “igloo-mobiles”. During the winter, it is not enough to just clear the snow from your vehicle, it is above all necessary to clear the snow from the roof, windows, license plate of your car, because this can endanger your life and that of other drivers.
#5 Always maintain the right distance between your car and the one in front
When you are behind the wheel, you should always take into account a distance of up to 6 seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle in front. This allows you to have a fairly long separation in case you want to brake.
#6 The parts that are most often affected by car accidents in winter
The front and rear bumper are among the most affected areas by car accidents, especially during the winter. In addition, winter makes the bumpers more fragile, because the cold makes plastic lose flexibility. Thus, the bumpers can break easily. During this time of year, bodybuilders replace a lot of bumpers. However, according to these body shops, the latter is worth on average between $600 and $900, not to mention the installation costs. However, its price depends on one brand to another.
#7 Here are some tips on how to simply start your car in winter.
First of all, the block heater will be your ally to easily start your vehicle. It quickly warms up the engine components, especially the passenger compartment, and allows you to save your gas for the first 20 kilometres. It is advisable to install this tool, as the price of its installation varies between $50 and $200 depending on the model of your choice. Secondly, synthetic oil is one of the things that makes it easier to start your vehicle, as it has a smoother composition. Even though it can be quite expensive, it will be very useful to you. Finally, when you start your car, you should not waste time trying to start it by keeping the accelerator inside pressed for more than 10 seconds. If it doesn’t work on the first try, you have to wait 30 seconds before trying again. This technique is very useful, because it will allow the easy assembly of air and petrol without taking the risk of “flooding” the engine.
After reading these tips you can now drive in the middle of winter and face the Quebec winter. If you have found these tips essential, do not hesitate to share them on social networks. You can also ask any questions you may have or share tips with us on our blog.
