Every driver has their own way of handling the challenges encountered while driving during a Canadian winter. However, there are many myths surrounding the precautions drivers should take to ensure their vehicles remain operational during frigid weather.
“For starters, you do not need to let your vehicle extensively warm up before driving,” said Vince Klimkosz, owner of the two locations of Vinnie’s Mr. Fix-It in Guelph. “The old myth of having to let them warm up until the oil gets to the top of the motor is kind of not true.”
Klimkosz said today’s new cars and trucks are engineered and built better than their predecessors, thanks to over a century of automotive research conducted in cold climates and the emergence of better lubricants.
“These new cars are very advanced and a lot of them warm up very quickly,” he said. “They handle the wear and tear a lot better. And the oils have really come a long way from oils of yesterday. The lubricating qualities of these new synthetic oils have just made everything better.”
While it’s okay to let your vehicle run while you scape your car and windows of ice and snow, Klimkosz said it’s important for vehicle owners not to leave their running cars unattended.
“More and more you hear of the theft of vehicles from driveways when cars have been left running. By the time they’ve gone in the house to grab a coat or purse the car is gone. It’s happening all the time, especially when weather’s cold. The thief is usually waiting just around the corner. The lessons is, be alert.”
Cars manufactured in the 20th century often required a switch of the fuel grade when cold weather hit. Klimkosz said that’s another winter driving requirement now eliminated by better technology.
“You really don’t need to change your fuel grade. All the fuel at gas stations now comes with additives for winter time. Unless we’re getting an Arctic freeze and it’s minus 30 every night, you don’t need to the worry. Even using gas line antifreeze is rather uncommon anymore. Most vehicles simply don’t need it.”
To avoid the hassle of digging windshield wipers out of snow and ice accumulated overnight, many drivers leave them in a vertical position while the vehicle is stationary. Klimkosz sees nothing wrong with that as long as vehicle owners are aware of the risks.
“I see people doing it, and it’s nice if you’re getting freezing rain or large snowfalls,” he said. “You just have to be careful as wipers can blow over cracking a windshield or damaging the wiper. I definitely don’t recommend using your blades as ice scrapers though. That usually doesn’t usually work out to well. I’ve seen a rash of broken wipers and wiper transmissions because wiper blades are frozen to a window.”
Klimkosz suggests people can save money by avoiding purchases of tiny plug in heaters that generate little heat and specialty products that aim to coat windows with ice and snow repellant silicone or other substances.
“In all honesty, those heaters don’t work very well. The do draw a lot of power from the vehicle battery, so it you had it running with the car off the battery would die very quickly. Some of the fluids like RainX may help defog the window. I haven’t seen them work unbelievably well. For the price of it you’re not getting good value. Using a good quality windshield washer fluid is a better idea, as long as it’s rated minus 35 to 40.”
For more information, or to book your winter service, visit Vinnie’s Mr. Fix-It online at vinniesmrfixit.com. Or drop by either of their two Guelph locations: 30 Hayes Avenue, or 41 Woodlawn Road West.