Q. Maybe I got caught a little late, but I can’t find winter tires that fit my budget and use. From then on, I turned to the second-hand market. Do you have any recommendations so as not to be fooled?
– Hugo V.
R. Surely there is a set of tires on the used market that could do the trick. However, make sure that the tires are suitable for your vehicle, that they are the same size and that the tread depth of your tires is at least 4.8 mm (6/32 inch) when their installation. This is the minimum acceptable so as not to compromise your safety, even if the law allows the use of tires having only 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch). In addition, winter tires, like all others, have an expiration date. So that’s another question to ask before installing your new winter tires: how old are they? An older tire will have a hardened tread and will be less effective on snow and ice. To find the date of manufacture of a tire, look for the four-digit DOT marking on the sidewall. For example, the inscription 1216 means that the tire was manufactured in the 12e week of the year 2016.
THE ESSENCE OF THE SEASON
Q. With the winter, the oil companies offer gasoline, they say, better adapted. Should we be seduced by this offer which is often matched with gasoline with a high octane number, and therefore more expensive?
– France D.
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
Winter or not, motorists should always choose the type of gasoline recommended by the manufacturer.
R. Many motorists believe that it is best to use premium gasoline during the winter season to ensure quick starts. False ! Winter or not, motorists should always choose the type of gasoline recommended by the manufacturer. Another little tip: keep the gas tank at least half full, otherwise condensation can form in the tank, which could freeze the lines. As for additives, they remain recommended especially when the vehicle is regularly in a heated garage or in an underground parking lot.
FIRST EXIT
Q. Our daughter, who has just obtained her driver’s license, will face winter for the first time. We are concerned about it. Her too. Is there specific training to give him confidence?
– Jocelyn and Chantal
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, PRESS ARCHIVES
Specialized driving schools exist to learn how to adjust your driving to the throes of the cold season.
R. You could consider specialized training with CAA-Quebec recommended schools, with Mécaglisse and Icar, or even with professional pilots such as Marie-Laurence Paquin and Claude Bourbonnais. These will instill in you new knowledge or simply help you tame winter with confidence, without the risk of causing damage.
Consult the CAA-Quebec website Consult the Mécaglisse website Consult the Icar website Consult the Marie-Laurence Paquin website Consult the Claude Bourbonnais website
DODO FOR WINTER
Q. I bought a vintage car last spring and it’s time to put it away. Do you have any tips for preparing it well?
– Julien R.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY PORSCHE
Do you take care of your jewelry when the beautiful season arrives? It must also be prepared so that it withstands the wear and tear of winter, even when stored.
R. As a first step, we suggest that you lubricate and change the oil (and its filter). It will then be necessary to check the level of antifreeze and the quality of this one. It will be prudent to fill the gas tank to three quarters of its capacity. The addition of a fuel stabilizer is also recommended. Once these steps are completed, we suggest you unscrew the spark plugs and brush them with engine oil. While you’re at it, a few squirts of oil in each cylinder won’t hurt. Disconnect the two battery terminals starting with the negative terminal, and then take the battery out of the car and place it in a cool, dry place. The battery should be recharged slowly at least once during the storage period. Now climb the car on blocks placed under the axles or the suspension so that if the tires deflate they are not damaged by the weight of the automobile. Finally, to prevent the visit of small rodents, it would be good to block the exhaust pipe and the engine air inlet with a cloth.