Cars are very important for getting around during the winter when temperatures plummet, which is why drivers should keep those in top working order.

Christine Niemczyk, Director of Communications for CAA Saskatchewan, says there are plenty of considerations people should make before rolling onto winter roads.

“We rely on it so much in the winter to get us safely back and forth to and fro, so check the vehicle. We recommend winter tires, they have much better traction and stopping power.”

With a lifespan of three to five years, it’s always a good idea to double-check and make sure your battery’s working fine.

“Maybe take it down to your local automotive shop or to a CAA ARS facility, have them check it out, and just make sure that it’s running well. I know it’s not at that temperature level yet, but we will this winter encounter some -15° and even colder Celsius days. So make sure that you plug your vehicle in when it’s -15 and take good care of it. The more you take care of your car the more you will have that vehicle ready and reliable for you for when you need to use it.”

Other considerations people should make include:

• Check your vehicle’s fluid levels
• Make sure all seat belts are in working condition
• Pack a roadside safety kit
• Sign up for a roadside assistance program
• Check with media and the Highway Hotline before heading into adverse conditions
• Slow to 60 km/h when passing by tow trucks and other emergency vehicles
• Stay in your vehicle if stranded 
• Keep a charged cell phone with you

In response to Canada’s Online News Act and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) removing access to local news from their platforms, DiscoverEstevan and DiscoverWeyburn encourage you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverEstevan app and the DiscoverWeyburn app.