Tips for Safe Driving This Coming Winter

Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving

You can never be too prepared when it comes to winter, especially in Canada. Rather than putting off the necessary work until the last minute, try starting to prepare you vehicle now. You'll be happy you did when your life is less stressful come the onslaught of winter.

Make sure your battery is fully charged and in working condition. Clean posts and make sure the connection is strong. Replace your battery if it does not hold a full charge, has cracks in the casing, or seems otherwise unsafe. We carry a line of high quality Optima Batteries to help get you going.

Check your ignition. Check and replace any worn or damaged wiring. Replace any worn spark plugs. Make sure that all lights are working properly and replace any that are burnt out. Make sure that your head lights are properly aimed. Be sure to check and service your brakes to ensure even braking. 

Install winter tires. Do not mix tires with different tread patterns. This can cause uneven traction. It is important that you check your tire pressure frequently to ensure you have the best traction on icy surfaces. It is best to check your tire pressure in colder temperatures to prevent under inflation. If tires are checked in a warm garage they can lose pressure when in cold weather, making the tire pressure unreliable on ice.

Check your exhaust for leaks that could result in harmful carbon monoxide emissions in your vehicle. Check radiator hoses and drive belts for cracks and replace any that are worn. Make sure the heater and defrost work well.

Visibility is important, especially when the weather is bad. Be sure that your windshield wipers are in good working condition. Replace any windshield wiper blades that streak. It is worthwhile to get wiper blades that are designed for winter. If you are in need of new windshield wiper blades, check out some of the wiper blades carried by Auto Truck Depot. Be sure to keep your windshield washer fluid full with fluid for up to -40°C and always keep extra in your vehicle.

Safety tips

Check the weather patterns before driving, especially before driving on the highway. Be prepared for the weather. Keep your vehicle stocked with an ice scraper/brush, flashlight, booster cables, a shovel and warm clothes. You never know when you might need these things.

Always drive at speeds that are safe for the conditions. This is often slower than the speed limit. Keep distance from other drivers to reduce collisions. This is especially important when conditions are icy. Know how your vehicle handles, and drive appropriately and brake slowly. Avoid locking your wheels as this can cause you to lose control.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Sources Cited:

Transport Canada. Winter Driving: You, Your Vehicle and Winter Driving. N.p.: Transport Canada, 2015.CAA. Transport Canada. Web. 12 Dec. 2015. http://www.caa.ca/working-for-you/safe-driving/winter-driving.

Holiday Gift Guide from Auto Truck Depot

The holidays are just around the corner and Auto Truck Depot is here to help you prepare. In this article I will provide a list of must-have items for that special someone this holiday season.

1. Tonneau Cover

A tonneau cover is the perfect gift for anyone who owns a pickup truck. Tonneau covers provide many benefits:

• Protect valuables against weather damage and theft
• Increase aerodynamics, which can save up to 10% on gas mileage
• Provide a clean, sleek look

There are various styles of tonneau covers to choose from, such as Roll-Up, Tri-Fold and Retractable tonneau covers. Roll-Up covers roll all the way to the truck's cab to provide easy full truck bed access. Tri-Fold covers are often more durable and fold on hinges to provide 3 levels of truck bed access, and Retractable covers slide easily into a canister when not needed. There are various styles and types of tonneau covers, and no pickup is complete without one! Browse our selection of Tonneau Covers.

2. Cargo Boxes

If you're searching to find something special for someone who enjoys skiing, snowboarding or travelling, you can't go wrong with a cargo box. Cargo boxes attach to the roof of the vehicle to provide additional, secure cargo space. We have various sizes and styles of cargo boxes from Yakima and Thule, so you can find one exactly suited to their lifestyle. Take a look at the cargo boxes we have available.

3. Remote Starters

Remote starters are a perfect gift for anyone living in Canada. The winters are cold and harsh, but there's no need to battle the cold to start a vehicle with a remote starter installed. Auto Truck Depot caries a wide range of remote starter packages with various features, so you can find the perfect starter for that special someone. We also offer professional installations of remote starters so you don't have to worry. Take a look at our remote starter packages.

4. Tool Boxes & Fuel Tanks

For anyone who uses their pickup for work purposes, a tool box, fuel tank or a transfer tank and utility chest combo is an ideal gift. We have a large assortment of tanks and tool boxes to fit in any pickup to provide safe and secure organization for tools and other belongings. Browse our selections of:

• Fuel Transfer Tanks
• Combo Transfer Tanks
• TITAN Fuel Tanks
• Tool Boxes

5. Ski & Snowboard Mounts

If you know someone who takes routine trips out to the mountains, there's no better gift than a ski and snowboard mount. These provide a convenient and secure space to mount ski or snowboard equipment on the roof of your vehicle or hitch. There are various styles and sizes to match any vehicle type, and it eliminates the need to pack skis and boards inside the vehicle. Search our selection of ski and snowboard mounts.

Other Gift Ideas

If you are still uncertain about the perfect gift, take a look at:

• Gifts Under $50
• Gifts Under $100
• Gifts Under $200
• Top Gift Ideas from Auto Truck Depot 

If you want to be sure to get exactly what they want, try treating them to an Auto Truck Depot Gift Card and let them choose. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. Happy Holidays.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Salt and Snow: How to Protect Your Vehicle from Winter's Harshest Elements

As the seasons change and the temperature drops, you're going to want to make sure your investment is protected. Auto Truck Depot offers a wide range of services to help you prepare your vehicle for the harsh weather to come.

Lets begin with vehicle care. As roads begin to freeze, road salts are spread to help you keep traction while you drive, a necessary part of a Canadian winter. Road salts and other pollutants will make their way into vulnerable areas of your vehicle, such as spot welds and joints. Not only will this cause rust to form, but it can even weaken the structural integrity of your frame, steering, and suspension of your vehicle over time. This can, however, be prevented with products such as Rust Check from Auto Truck Depot.

Rust Check

Rust Check is a light liquid, pressurized spray that has been designed to stop rust from forming. The spray is applied inside body sections and hidden areas such as joints, folds, seams, and spot welds. These areas are highly vulnerable to rust formation, and places where rust will begin to spread. Rust Check penetrates deeply into these areas to provide protection against moisture and other unavoidable contaminants that will result in rust formation.

Rust Check is designed to displace moisture with highly effective corrosion inhibitors. Corrosion inhibitors form an absorbed, bonded layer over the metal surfaces of your vehicle to shield them and prevent moisture from ever touching the surface. Corrosion won't occur if moisture can't make contact with the metal.

Undercoating

Undercoating is another preventative method that protects the undercarriage and wheel wells of your vehicle from gravel, road salts, rocks, and other road debris that will cause rust and harsh damage.

Undercoating is applied to the undercarriage and wheel wells of your vehicle to provide full underside protection against harmful elements. As well as providing a seal against moisture, salt, rocks, and other debris, the rubberized compound absorbs the impact, which not only provides additional protection to your vehicle, but also provides a sound barrier to reduce road noises and vibrations. Undercoating extends the life of your vehicle and increases the trade-in value.

Bug Deflectors

Adding a Bug Deflector or Hood Protector to your vehicle is an easy and cost effective method to protect the windshield and front end of your vehicle. Products like Form Fit Hood Protectors are custom designed for every vehicle application to ensure a perfect fit. These products add a sleek aesthetic to any vehicle while adding protection to your vehicles front end. They are easy to install and will help your vehicle last through winter.

Other

A battery charger is something worth owning if you plan to make it through a harsh Canadian weather. You'll never have to mess around with jumper cables or ask for a boost again. 

Layering up to start your vehicle is another common pain that winter brings, but this can be prevented with an automatic car starter. Press start and your vehicle will be warm and ready for you to leave. Auto Truck Depot provides car starters and installations so you can enjoy your winter a little more.

If you are really searching for luxury, heated seats might be another option for you. Get seat heaters installed in your vehicle from Auto Truck Depot so you can sink into a warm heated seat on a cold day.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Remote Starters – Autostart

Remote starters from Autostart are a great investment in your vehicle and Autostart has been manufacturing remote control car starters for more than a decade.  Whether you live in a cold or warm climate or have a need for warming up your vehicle engine prior to travel, a remote starter system can help.  In the winter, you no longer have to get into a freezing cold car and wait for the car to warm up and the heater to warm the interior of the car.  In the summertime, you can remotely start your car and let the air conditioning system cool it down before you have to get.  Remote starters increase the value of your vehicle.  Today's remote starters have many features including two way paging and connectivity with your smart phone.  Whether you are looking for a basic one way remote control or a more advanced system, Autostart has the remote starter for you.

Related articles

• Remote Starter (showjoy.wordpress.com)