Winter driving and car care in London, Ontario

What makes a London winter hard on cars

Lake-effect snow off Lake Huron can turn a clear drive into a whiteout within a few kilometres, especially north and west of the city and on the 402 towards Sarnia. The 401 gets the same squalls in bands. Between storms, temperatures often cross zero, so snow melts into slush by day and refreezes overnight.

That freeze-thaw cycle is why the salt use is so heavy. Roads get salted, melt, refreeze and get salted again. All of it is thrown up by the tires onto the lower body, the wheel wells and the underside, and it stays wet for days in slush.

Before the first snow

Get the car ready in November rather than after the first storm, when every tire shop in the city is booked solid.

• Winter tires on. In Ontario, insurers are required to offer a discount for them, so ask yours.
• New wiper blades, and washer fluid rated to minus 40
• Battery tested, since cold is when weak batteries fail
• Brush, scraper and a small shovel in the trunk
• Warm layers, gloves and a phone charger in the car
• Rubber floor mats in to catch the slush

Driving habits for squalls and black ice

Clear the whole car before you drive, including the roof. Snow left on top slides onto the windshield at the first stop, or blows off onto the car behind you on the highway. Clear the headlights, tail lights and any cameras and sensors too.

In a squall, slow down early and leave a lot of room, because visibility can drop faster than you can react. Bridges, overpasses and ramps freeze before the road around them. Keep the tank above a quarter in winter, so you are not running low if you end up stuck in a closure on the 401.

A salt routine that is realistic

Through the salt season, aim to wash every week or two, and always do the underside. If you only pick one thing in January, rinse the underside. Brake lines, the exhaust, suspension parts and the seams of the rocker panels are where salt causes the slow rust that shows up years later.

Wash after the roads have dried rather than during a storm, on the mildest part of the day if you can. The midwinter thaws that come every few weeks are good times, since you can wash and dry the car before it refreezes. Afterwards, wipe the door seals, open and close each door once, and blot the fuel door so nothing freezes shut.

For washing in town, Fast Lane at 2263 Dundas St is open 24 hours, and both the Full and Luxury washes include an under-car spray.

In spring

When the salt season ends, usually some time in March or April, give the car one thorough wash with the underside and lower panels done properly. That gets the winter's build-up off before warm, damp spring weather lets it do more harm.