Your Guide to Winterizing Your Vehicle

While Victoria isn’t known for getting a ton of snow or ice, it doesn’t mean winter tires aren’t needed. The Province of British Columbia mandates the use of winter tires or chains on certain highways throughout the province between October 1 and April 30. Routes are marked with signage and are enforced by the police, ministry, or other enforcement officials. If you don’t comply with the rules, you might be fined and turned away. If you’re travelling off the island and into a neighbouring province or territory, you will also require winter tires. While BC is the only province on the west coast to require winter tires, the harsh winter conditions in other parts of Canada need winter tires for safe travels. Kia Victoria offers a wide range of winter tires.

Another important step to winterizing your vehicle is ensuring it has the correct windshield wiper fluid. Standard wiper fluid is great for getting rid of bugs and dirt in the warmer months. But the winter months require a separate wiper fluid that’s made for the season. This fluid can take on colder temperatures thanks to the de-icing agents it contains. It’s crucial to change out your vehicle’s wiper fluid before it starts to get cold. If you don’t, your vehicle’s system could be damaged and you won’t have visibility when you need it most.

When getting your vehicle winter ready, it’s also important to check out your vehicle’s battery. Inspect it to ensure it’s working properly since they are responsible for the vehicle’s lights, its heater, and other crucial features. The same rules apply if you’re driving an electric vehicle (EV), which can be especially susceptible to the cold. If possible, try to park your EV in a covered spot to protect its battery from the cold. The service experts at Kia Victoria are on hand to ensure your battery is properly inspected.