MIKE ATHEY
LADYSMITH Oct. 21, 2020
Winter is coming and that means snow, colourful scarves and preparing of our vehicles for another season.
Now that it’s past mid-October, it’s time to look at what our metal friends will need to help them survive until Spring 2021.
The first thing to look at: tires.
According to the Quebec Ministry of Transportation, residents are required to have winter tires installed before Dec. 1 and they must remain on your vehicle until after March 15, 2021.
“You have to have a tire that is snowflake rated,” said Jeremy Williams of Jer’s Auto Service in Ladysmith.
Williams pointed to the snowflake rated symbol on a truck he was working on. The symbol looked like a mountain with a snowflake nestled inside of it. He said that some all-season tires also have that symbol and would work, but “ideally a winter tire would be better.”
Williams recommended to have your battery, alternator and starter checked out.
“They are the things that generally fail,” said Williams and that batteries rise in demand each year following the first day the temperature dips below -5C.
He also said it’s a good idea to put on new winter wipers blades, check your antifreeze and look into applying an undercoat on your vehicle to prevent rust. Williams ran his fingers beneath the truck and they came back with a film on them.
“I did this truck last year and it’s still there,” Williams said.
He suggested a battery charging system would also be a good investment. That way you can give your car the boost it needs if none of your friends are around to help.
