No matter how good a driver you are, the roads always matter. If you have been driving for ages but not in Canada, there is a lot you must know because it will not be a regular driving experience in Canada. It could be full of troubles. People who are new in Canada might have experience driving on icy roads and how the temperature can drop to a tremendous freezing state. But Canada can make situations worse without cellular networks on empty roads and fatally freezing temperatures. Any carelessness or lack of awareness can lead you to heavy tolls. Accidents and mishappenings increase during the winter season because of the extreme climate and lack of awareness in people while driving. So, it is indispensable to know about the driving conditions and be equipped with the precautions before you are out there on the road. Here are some crucial points that you must know winter driving while in Canada:
Make sure you are using Winter tires:
It is vital to switch your tires during such extreme conditions during winter driving while in canada. The province makes it mandatory to switch to winter tires when the temperature falls below 7°C. Many provinces do not mandate winter tires but still advise you to use them during a particular year.
Regular tires become rigid and inflexible because of the icy conditions. When they become stiff, they cannot hold a firm grip on the ground, and there are heavy chances of slipping on turns or a lack of control over the car. Therefore, it is advisable to use winter tires because they have a more considerable tread that offers more control to the driver and are made from different materials that can withstand this freezing temperature.
It would be best to switch back to regular tires during spring because winter tires do not work correctly under warm conditions.
Engine Heaters
If you are new to Canada, you might be surprised to know that the car owners first heat their cars 2-3 hours, depending on the severity of the cold. It is a daily routine where the temperature falls below -15°C. This is done to heat the engine and the oil that flows through the engine. Due to the icy conditions, the oil in the car becomes highly thicker, making it difficult to flow through the engine, increasing friction among various mobile parts.
To remedy this problem, people use “Block Heaters,” which ensure that your car’s engine and oil stay warm. The heater is put into work before a few hours of driving and then switched off to avoid overheating. Automated timers are now available in the market to simplify this process that can turn the heater on and switch it off for whatever duration you want. Engine heaters are like an eternal part for your car engines in the winter season because without them, the engine will freeze and the car will not be able to start because of the thickening of the fuel as well. Block Heaters help to avoid such situations.
Carry the essential tools during winter driving while in Canada
It is essential to carry all the essential tools you use daily or the ones that are hardly ever used while driving in Canada because the conditions can offer anything unexpected. Ice scrapers and ice brushes are the tools you will need daily to wipe out ice from your windshield daily. Always use these tools to remove snow because using your hands can be a terrible idea for getting frostbite.
Apart from these essential tools, there might be a condition when you are stuck out there in the cold due to a blizzard, and you need to spend your night in the car. Under those circumstances, you must be equipped with all the essential materials to help you survive the cold night.
A car must be equipped with the following things during winter driving while in Canada:
1. Gloves, Hats, warm clothes, and blankets can keep you as warm as possible.
2. Non-perishable food so that you have something to eat through the night like chocolate, granola, or cereals
3. First aid kit
4. Printed road maps because GPS can fade out in areas without cellular networks.
5. Heat packs. These are small packs and are used for generating instant heat. They produce heat when they are snapped and can be placed inside gloves or boots to keep yourself warm.
6. Sunglasses are necessary when the sun illuminates a layer of fresh snow.
7. De-icer is used to defrost your locks. The water can get inside the keyhole, and it can freeze your lock by night. So, De-icer can be used in that case to remove the ice.
8. A shovel can be used to clear pathways. Always carry a handy shovel that can fit in your car.
9. Bag of grit.
10. Booster cables.
● Insurance and awareness
Always follow the driving rules and have full awareness of the insurance policies. Accidents are commonplace on the roads of Canada in the winter season. Even if you have insurance, it will not cover up the cost of damage if you have violated any rules that caused the collision.
Therefore, it is imperative to follow the driving rules and drive safely strictly. Know your insurance limits very well and all the terms and conditions you must have agreed to.
Conclusion
These are the few essential things you must know when driving while in Canada. If you are new to the place, make sure to purchase the list of items and keep them ready because they can come into play any time. Driving in Canada can be made secure and easy. All it takes is to have complete awareness about the conditions and maintain the prerequisites before hitting the road. The rules and regulations are strict in Canada for safety rules in driving, so you must make sure that you are aligned to all the rules and regulations that the government has laid down to avoid any legal chaos. So, keep the things as mentioned above in your mind and make sure you are following all of them for a safe and healthy driving experience in the winters of Canada. Professional driving Courses in Calgary by expereienced instructors can help you to drive safely.