As the first snowflakes begin to fall, it’s that time of year again. No not the Holidays but the dreaded Winter Driving Season. But fear not, if you are prepared winter driving can be enjoyable. As someone who is always on the go, from trekking across the country for work to hitting the back country roads in search of the perfect antique, I am always on the road. And always on the lookout for great tips to make driving easier. And more enjoyable. This year I teamed up with Onlia to get some great tips on how to prepare for winter driving.
Launching in December (in Ontario), Onlia is a new company offering innovative digital insurance that cares about making Canada a safer place. Including a great app called Onlia Sense that rewards you for being a safe driver…Anyway, to coincide with the brand’s launch, they are celebrating National Safe Driving Week (December 1-7, 2018) spearheaded by the Canada Safety Council, and is championing safe winter driving practices to help make Canada’s roads and communities safer. Here are their top six tips:
TOP SIX TIPS:
Maintain your car battery. Did you know it’s always a good idea to turn off the radio, lights and heat before you turn off the ignition? When turning your car on the next morning, there will be less stress on your battery.
Swap all-seasons for winter tires. Trust me, these will make winter driving so much easier. Even on clear roads, winter tires perform better than all-season when the temp drops below 7 degrees celsius. Winter tires are specially designed to help you handle the road better in icy conditions.
Keep your gas tank full. Now I know this is tricky, but during the winter months try to make sure you never let the gas gauge drop below half full. Keeping your tank above the halfway mark is an easy way to help keep yourself out of trouble in poor driving conditions. If you break down in the middle of a snowstorm and have to wait for help, having enough gas in your tank will allow you to idle your car and stay warm until it arrives.
Warm your vehicle up before driving but don’t overdo it. I get it, no one likes a cold car but you are simply wasting gas. The best way to warm up a car is actually driving it. Did you know that for every 10 minutes of idling can cost between a tenth and a third of a litre of gas? It adds up fast, and your bank account will be very upset with you. And who doesn’t like to save money…to then spend on shoes.
Check your tire pressure regularly (and check to make sure your spare is in good condition). The cold winter temperatures can affect your tire pressure. So it’s best to check it once a month during the winter. You can use a tire pressure gauge to identify whenever they need a top up. Keeping your tires properly inflated will give you better control on the road in cold and slippery conditions.
Keep a Winter Emergency Kit in your Trunk…You know I love a good DIY, so why not make your own safe Winter Emergency Kit, here’s what I keep in mine:
- Ice scraper/snow brush. I assume you always have this in your car in the winter already, right?
- Jumper cables, gear to change a flat tire, and a tow rope. To be honest, this is a year round necessity.
- High-energy food that doesn’t expire – I always include a selection of protein bars, nuts, dried fruit – and make sure you replenish them if you ever break into your kit when your hangry on the road
- Bottle of water. Bring a fresh bottle every time before you hit the road – always good to stay hydrated.
- First-aid kit
- Phone charger/power pack – this always good to keep your in car year round.
- Flashlight and extra batteries. LED is best and brightest. Also consider flashlights that can double as a flashing beacon to signal distress. I love this one with built in tools.
- Kitty Litter, sand or traction mats. You can put this under your tires to provide traction. For kitty litter, get the non-clumping kind.
- Candle and waterproof matches. This can keep the temperature in your car above freezing. Keep an old can to put the candle in to help reflect light and heat.
- Roadside emergency supplies – flares, tags to tie on your antenna, a reflective warning triangle and an emergency whistle will all help people locate you if you’re in trouble. It’s also smart to have a foldable shovel to dig your car out of the snow.
- Winter clothes (mittens, wool socks, and an extra hat) and a heavy blanket
- Extra windshield washer fluid
CONTEST ALERT!
Of course, it’d be ideal to avoid having to use this stuff at all. According to experts, many emergencies can be avoided by having a properly maintained vehicle, so keep your car tip-top with regular servicing. Between that and your emergency kit, you’ll be ready for even the heaviest Canadian winter. Not up for making your own kit? You can WIN A WINTER DRIVING KIT from me and Onlia to help you make your winter driving safer. Enter by following Onlia on Instagram and me. Add one of your winter driving tips in the comments. Further details on my Instagram post.
BUT WAIT THERE”S MORE! YOU CAN WIN $1000 from Onlia. After you follow Onlia on Instagram, share your tips and suggestions for how you have prepared for safe winter driving by uploading a photo or video and tagging @Onlia.ca and using the hashtags #OnliaCa and #SafeDrivingWeek for your chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree (Visa/Mastercard pre-paid gift card) to winterize your vehicle. That’s right – $$$$