Winter-
Ready Ride
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Before
You Leave
Plan your route by checking
road conditions, traffic and
weather with aMa road
reports: roadreports.ama.ab.ca
Make sure somebody knows
your destination and eta.
have a full tank of fuel, so
that your engine can remain
running and creating heat if
you’re stuck.
Carry a fully charged cell
phone and charging cable.
always have a snow brush
and ice scraper in the trunk.
Dress for the weather with
a jacket, hat, gloves and boots.
You don’t need to wear them
while driving, but they should
be on-hand.
Wear sunglasses, as light
reflecting off snow can be
dazzling.
Purchase a roadside emer-
gency kit at any aMa centre.
it’s packed with booster cables,
a shovel, flashlight, first-aid
essentials, matches, candles and
more. Member price: $90.
keep protein or energy bars
in the glovebox, in case you get
stranded and need nourishment.
Be certain that your aMa
membership is up to date, and
carry your card along with your
driver’s licence, registration
and insurance.
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Follow this advice from
randy loyk, aMa’s
manager of technical
services, and you’ll drive
safely and comfortably
right through the winter
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1 | Winter tires: Put them
on before the first snow.
and check that your spare
tire is inflated.
2 | Block heater: Pull out
the cord and check that
the heater is working. (Buy
a block-heater tester at any
aMa centre). Your engine
will need it when temps
drop to -15 C or below.
3 | Oil: Synthetic is best,
“it flows better in all
temperatures and starts
lubricating engine parts
much more quickly,” loyk
says. it also won’t thicken
in extreme cold.
4 | Battery: if it’s more
than three years old, have
it tested for free* by a Caa
Battery Service professional
to make sure it’s good for
another season of hard
cranking. Need a new one?
aMa can deliver and install
it*. Call 1-800-222-4357 for
Caa Battery Service. that your fluids are rated
for at least -35 C.
5 | Fluids, belts and
hoses: Be sure fluids are protect your floor from
melted snow and keep crud
off your boots.
topped up, belts are tight
and undamaged, and
rubber hoses are secure
and flexible. Get them
checked at an aMa-trusted
aarS facility to be sure.
While you’re at it, confirm
Don’t
Get Salty
alberta’s biggest cities now
use anti-icing solutions to
proactively maintain winter
streets. these compounds
help prevent ice and
reduce the amount
of abrasives like
sand used on
roads, but they
can also cause
rust. Guard
agai nst this
by following
these tips
6 | Wiper blades:
replace them once a year.
there’s no longer any need
to fit special winter wipers.
Good-quality blades are
effective year-round.
7 | Snow mats: they’ll
8 | Lubricant: apply
lubricant to all door, hood
and trunk hinges, to keep
them sliding easily.
*Select batteries and locations
Thoroughly wash and clean your vehicle
before winter hits, and give it a good wax
to shield paint and metal from grime.
Consider getting an underbody oil spray
applied at an undercoating facility, to
protect the parts of your vehicle that are
closest to the road.
Wash your vehicle often throughout
the season. Pay close attention to the
undercarriage and anywhere anti-
icing solution may build up.
Many drive-through car
washes offer an optional
undercarriage rinse.
Repair any body
damage and touch-
up paint scratches
and chips that
expose bare metal,
as these areas are
prone to rust.
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