How to soften the impact of winter on your vehicle

It is freezing cold, your car is buried under 50 centimeters of snow and you are already frustrated with winter, even after just a few weeks. Unfortunately, winter is not about to leave us, and we still have quite a few months of snow and ice ahead of us. That said, there are many ways we can go about reducing the impact of winter on our vehicle, and in the process making our lives that much easier.

Clear off the snow

If you want to be safe out on the roads, you need to see what is happening. In order to do so, you need to clear off as much snow as possible from your vehicle. That means taking the time to remove all the white powder that has accumulated, including and most importantly the snow you find on the roof. It’s tempting just to remove the snow from the windows, which is assuredly an important step, but you also want to take the time and remove all the snow from the hood and roof so that it does not eventually blind you as you are driving. You also want to remember to remove snow from the headlights and side mirrors, as well as any snow that may be covering your rearview camera as well as your various sensors.

Have the right tools

In order to clear off as much snow as possible, you need the right tools. That means a quality snowbrush. Having a quality brush and scraper to remove snow will make the whole process faster and make you safer out on the roads. You also want to make sure you have salt, booster cables, a shovel and traction aids in your vehicle, just in case.

Change your windshield wipers, and make sure you have enough washer fluid

Your vehicle’s original wipers have been designed mostly for summer use. If you want to ensure perfect visibility, it may be wise to replace them with models designed for winter. You also want to make sure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid at all times. We all know how dirty roads get in winter.

A special thank you to Lexus of Kingston for their help with this article.