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How to get your car ready for winter and avoid road emergencies
QUICK TAKEAWAYS
- Install winter tires to improve safety, traction, and control in cold weather while extending the life of your all-season tires.
- Prepare a winter emergency kit with essentials like blankets, food, water, a shovel, and road flares to handle unexpected situations.
- Winterize your car with a tune-up, battery check, fluid top-ups, and new wipers to ensure it’s ready for harsh conditions.
- Adjust your driving by increasing following distances, clearing snow and ice, and avoiding sudden braking to stay safe on winter roads.
- Plan ahead by saving roadside assistance contacts and keeping your gas tank at least half-full to avoid emergencies.
This article has been updated from a previous version.
With around 20% of collisions in Canada happening in adverse weather — such as rain, snow, or icy roads — winter preparation is more than just a routine; it’s important for keeping everyone safe.
Getting your car ready for winter and avoiding road emergencies comes down to three key steps: installing winter tires, preparing a survival kit, and adjusting your driving to match winter conditions.
As the risk of collisions rises during the colder months, making these preparations before winter hits is one of the best ways to protect yourself and other drivers on the road.
Are winter tires mandatory in Ontario?
No, winter tires are not legally required across all of Ontario. However, they are strongly recommended for driving in the province's challenging winter conditions.
Currently, only Quebec and certain parts of British Columbia have laws mandating winter tire use. In Quebec, all passenger vehicles must be equipped with four winter tires from December 1 to March 15. Failing to comply can result in a fine of $200 to $300.
While not mandatory in Ontario, installing winter tires has a direct financial benefit. Insurance providers are required by law to offer a discount of up to 5% on auto insurance premiums for drivers who use them.
Why choose winter tires?
Beyond the insurance discount, there are several key safety advantages to installing winter tires.
Superior cold weather performance: winter tires use a specialized rubber compound that stays flexible in temperatures below 7°C. This prevents the hardening that occurs with all-season tires, ensuring better grip on cold pavement.
Enhanced traction and control: their deep, unique tread patterns are designed to channel snow and slush away from the tire, reducing buildup. This results in better traction, shorter stopping distances, and more responsive handling on icy and snowy roads.
Longer tire life: by switching to winter tires for the coldest months, you reduce the wear and tear on your all-season tires, extending the lifespan of both sets.
Read more: Are winter tires worth it?
How cold should it be before switching to winter tires?
You should have winter tires on your vehicle when the temperature dips below 7 degrees Celsius, according to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC).
Waiting until the first snowfall can be too late. Winter tires are not just for snow; their specialized rubber compound is designed to stay flexible and grip the road in cold temperatures, a condition where all-season tires can harden and lose traction. Installing them too early in warmer weather can cause the softer rubber to wear down faster.
Storing your off-season tires
The main consideration besides the initial cost is storing your alternate set of tires. They need to be kept in a cool, dry, and ventilated area away from the elements. If you lack space in a garage or basement, many tire shops and dealerships offer seasonal tire storage for a fee.
Learn more: How to afford and care for winter tires?
Prepare a winter emergency survival kit
Even with the best preparations, winter roads can be unpredictable. That’s all the more reason to be prepared with an emergency survival kit. You can print off a checklist from the federal government to make sure you don’t forget anything.
Your kit should be organized and easily accessible. Key items to include are:
- A first-aid kit: Stocked with bandages, gauze, medical tape, and any personal necessities like an extra inhaler.
- Light and communication: A wind-up or battery-powered flashlight with extra batteries, a portable phone charger, and a whistle to signal for help.
- Non-perishable food and water: Energy bars, water, canned food, and a can opener will sustain you if you are stuck in a snowstorm.
- Blankets, extra clothes, and gloves: Keep thermal blankets, dry socks, gloves, and a change of clothes handy.
- A folding shovel and cat litter or sand: Shovels can help you dig your way out of a snowbank, while litter or sand can give you traction if your tires are spinning.
- Road flares and a reflective safety vest: These can help other motorists spot you if you have to pull over for any reason. Place the flares far enough away from the car so that other vehicles can safely stop.
- Heat packets: These heat up automatically without any power source and can keep your hands and feet warm.
- Windshield washer fluid and antifreeze: Make sure you have extra jugs of winter washer fluid and antifreeze in your vehicle just in case you need either.
- Other essentials: Swiss Army knife or a multi-purpose tool, jump starter and cables, tow chain or rope, ice scraper and brush, paper towels, screwdriver, duct tape, fire extinguisher, spare tire, and a wheel wrench and jack.
Learn more: What to do if you are in a car accident
Winter driving safety refresher
Wintertime driving in Ontario can, at times, be hazardous. Adhering to recommended safe driving tips can help you minimize that risk.
In general, because of the unpredictability of Canada’s winter weather, there are other steps required to ensure your safety on the roads regardless of where you drive, including:
- Get a clear view: Before you drive, clear all snow and ice from your vehicle. This includes your roof, hood, windows, lights, and signals. In Ontario, you can be fined $110 for driving with obstructed windows.
- Prepare your vehicle for the season: A pre-winter tune-up is a smart investment. Have a trusted mechanic check your battery, top up all fluids (like antifreeze and winter-grade washer fluid), and replace worn windshield wipers. Keeping your car's interior clean and organized also reduces distractions.
- Drive for the conditions, not the speed limit: Safe winter driving means adjusting to the environment. Increase your following distance to at least four seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and keep your gas tank at least half-full to prevent fuel line freeze-up.
- Have a plan for emergencies: Save the contact numbers for your roadside assistance provider (like CAA) and other emergency services on your phone. Be aware that during severe weather, wait times for assistance can be longer than usual.
Winter weather in Canada is legendary around the world. Since we spend almost half our year in it, we’d best be prepared. No matter where you live in Canada, snow tires are a wise investment that could prevent a collision and save your life — as well as money on your car insurance.
Read next: How to file a car insurance claim after a collision
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Dave Webb,
Dave Webb is a writer and editor of 30 years experience. He has written about municipal politics, conservation issues, information technology, medical technology, music, and the manmade diamond industry along with insurance. And some sports. He is also an avid semi-professional roots musician. He lives in Toronto.
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