When Snow Falls, Nature Listens… So, Take Notes!

Be prepared for winter before it’s too late!

Posted October 1, 2023

Animals spend months preparing for the winter – birds fly south, squirrels gather nuts, and trees drop their leaves. Every part of nature uses their natural instincts to survive the cold winter months. Even though us humans have cozy warm homes and plentiful grocery stores to help us endure the winter, there are things that we should do to prepare for it too, especially when it comes to preparing to drive.

Here are some essential vehicle maintenance practices you can do to prepare your vehicle for the winter:

Get your battery checked – batteries last only about 3 – 5 years and will lose their charge as the temperatures get cold. If you know yours is getting old, then we recommend coming to your local Integra Tire, and we will check your battery to confirm that its charge will last throughout the winter.
Have your brakes inspected – your brakes are one of the most important safety features of your vehicle, so it’s important to confirm that they are in proper working condition. Our technicians can perform a brake inspection to check all of your brake system’s components.
Switch to winter windshield washer fluid – winter windshield washer fluid is designed so that it won’t freeze in your reservoir or freeze onto your windshield. If you still have summer washer fluid in your reservoir when the temperatures drop, you can ruin your washer fluid lines and lose visibility.
Install winter wiper blades – winter wiper blades are designed with special rubber that won’t tear in cold temperatures and prevent ice from building up on your blades.
Assemble a winter car safety kit – pack a winter car safety kit in your trunk that includes a shovel, sand, booster cables, tire sealant, a tire pressure gauge, a wind-up flashlight, a cell phone charger, an ice scraper, a snow brush, a blanket, and road flares.
Mount winter tires – winter tires are designed with a unique rubber compound that keeps them pliable in temperatures below 7°C. Installing winter tires will increase your traction on ice and snow and allow you to stop and accelerate faster than if you leave your all-season tires on year-round.

Once you’ve prepared yourself for an impending snowfall, you can rest-easy knowing that your vehicle will get you where you need to go all winter long, but once the snow falls, it’s important to remember to adjust your driving habits:

Adjust your speed for the weather conditions.
If the roads are snow-covered and icy, leave at least a 6-second gap between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.
Apply gentle pressure when you accelerate on icy roads.
Brake gradually and avoid sudden stops.
If you have anti-lock brakes, keep your foot down on the brake if you begin to slide so that the ABS activates.
If you don’t have anti-lock brakes and you begin to slide, use the pumping method by braking, releasing, braking, and releasing.

Prepping your vehicle for the winter and adjusting your driving methods to the conditions will keep the roads safe for everyone this winter.

If you need any help prepping your vehicle this winter, visit your local Integra Tire, and our tire and automotive experts will be happy to assist you.

Questions? Our Advisors are Happy to Help!

If you have questions about anything you've read in this resource page, contact your nearest dealer for more information. We are passionate in assisting our customers make the best choices to keep their vehicles in tip-top shape and keep their families safe.