From an insurance company’s point of view, any time is a great time to talk about car safety and maintenance; especially if it involves prepping your vehicle for safe winter driving. The Automotive Industries Association of Canada has designated October as ‘Be Car Care Aware” month to remind Canadians to think about getting our vehicles ready for winter driving.

After potentially putting a lot of kilometres on your vehicle from summer road trips and general wear and tear, doing some pre-winter maintenance can help keep you safer on the roads. Also, hopefully avoid a call into our auto claims team this winter.

Whether you do it yourself or take it to your trusted auto service technician, the following are ten basic maintenance tips from Be Car Care Aware to help your vehicle operate at its best and keep you safe on the road:

• Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission fluids as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
• Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.
• Check the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.
• Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.
• Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.
• Schedule a tune-up to help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.
• Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.
• Inspect the steering and suspension system annually including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.
• Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
• Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

Remember, South Easthope Mutual is on the road with you, every kilometre of the way. When we all do our part and work together to avoid accidents, we are all stronger. Safe travels!