6 min read · Cape Breton Car Wash
Cape Breton winters swing between freezing rain, wet snow and deep cold, sometimes in the same week. A little prep in October and November saves a lot of grief in January.
Before the snow flies
- Wipers: if they streak or chatter, replace them. Rubber hardens and cracks with age.
- Washer fluid: fill up with fluid rated to -40°C. Summer fluid can freeze in the lines.
- Battery: cold weather drains starting power. If your car is slow to start on chilly mornings now, get the battery tested.
- Tires: the common advice in Canada is to switch to winter tires once temperatures stay at or below 7°C. See our winter tire buying guide.
- Tire pressure: it drops about 1 psi for every 5.6°C of cooling. Check it when the cold mornings start, using the number on your driver's door sticker.
- Lights: walk around the car with the lights on. Clean foggy headlight lenses.
A trunk kit
- Snow brush and ice scraper
- Small shovel and a bag of sand or kitty litter for grip
- Booster cables
- Warm blanket, hat and mitts
- Flashlight, phone charger, water and a few snacks
Habits that help
- Keep the gas tank at least half full.
- Clear all the snow off the car, roof included, before you go.
- Leave more room. Stopping on ice can take many times longer than on dry pavement.
- Rinse off salt every week or 2 when roads are white with it. See salt and undercarriage care.
Want it looked after?
Hand wash and detailing on Grand Lake Rd, by appointment.