Preparing Your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM For Greater Toronto Winters

While a bit of snow on the greater Toronto roads may seem lovely when touring the city, doing some winter shopping or hitting the slopes, out in the real world, the first snow of the season reminds everyone that most of us are not yet prepared for driving in the winter.

Winter 2011/12 - According to Environment Canada's meteorologists, this winter season will produce more snow and colder conditions than what we've normally experienced in Southern Ontario over the past few years. The rest of Ontario will also experience more wintery conditions this year but not as drastic as the predictions for the GTA and Southern Ontario in general.

With colder temperatures on the way and snowy and icy weather conditions following shortly after, it's absolutely necessary that we should prepare our Dodge, RAM, Jeep and Chrysler cars for the Canadian winter. The following are the basics of preparation to ensure that your car will make it through the winter. A bit of extra thought will no doubt go a-long-way to ensure that you and your loved ones stay alive.

Here are a few things that you should consider:

Winterize your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or RAM: There are several things that the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, FIAT and RAM Service Department and our Mopar Express Lane  can do to ensure that your vehicle is ready for winter. Items such as winter motor oil, radiator coolant, transmission oil, differential oil, nitrogen for the tires, thermostat inspection, MUST be addressed before the winter season. Something may go awry this winter and it might have been preventable. By doing your part to prevent weather-related car situations, you will certainly avoid making a car insurance claim.

Detailed Clean Up: Have your vehicle professionally cleaned and detailed before and after winter. The job should include a professional wax job that will protect your car from the road salt as well as the acid that is found in snowflakes (not unlike acid rain). Have your alloy rims waxed as well; this will protect the wheels from pitting caused by road salt. A clean/shampooed interior (carpets and fabric) will deal with winter salt and dirt a great deal better than a dirty interior.

Winter Tires: If you have winter tires, put them on either in the middle or late November (depending on the regional snowfall habits of where you work or live). Check out our Seasonal Tire Specials.

Winter Safety Kit: We've all heard of these kits that save many lives every winter, but we often don't get around to buying one and putting it in our trunk or backseat. These kits are lifesavers that include: warm gloves, jumper cables, flares, candles, a blanket, a flashlight, hand/feet warmer pads and other items that are very important if you have car troubles in the winter. These kits can be purchased for between $30.00 and $40.00 ? a worthwhile investment.

A Shovel: Put a full-size decent shovel in your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or RAM's trunk (the biggest shovel that will fit). A shovel will help you when you are stuck in deep snow or it will help a stranded motorist.

Buy a New Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM or FIAT: Often people say "I'm going to get a new car in the spring" as they try to milk a winter season out of their 10+ year old car. It may be wise to get one sooner to avoid risking your life and the lives of your passengers while driving an older unreliable car in the winter when a car should be at its best.