Getting your car ready for a Quebec winter: the checklist

Battery, block heater, wipers, emergency kit, snow clearing and idling rules: everything to check before the first deep freeze.

The first -20°C mornings always come sooner than expected. A tired battery, a cut block heater cord or worn wipers, and you're waiting for a tow truck on a Monday morning. Here's the checklist to go through in October, while garages still have openings.

1. The battery: the number one breakdown

Cold doesn't kill a healthy battery, but it finishes off a weak one. According to CAA-Québec, at -30°C a battery has only about 25% of its capacity left, just as the engine, with thickened oil, needs more effort to start.

Have the battery tested if it's more than 4 years old, if the engine cranks slowly or if the headlights dim when starting.
The easy way: ask for a test when your tires are swapped.
Electric or hybrid? Also have the small 12-volt battery checked: it's what "wakes up" the vehicle.
If the engine won't start, wait 30 seconds between attempts rather than cranking non-stop.

2. The block heater

CAA-Québec recommends plugging it in once temperatures drop to -5°C. The engine starts more easily, wears less and the heater warms up faster. Before winter, inspect the cord and plug: a cracked cord or one pinched in a door is a hazard. There's no need to plug in all night: a timer that switches it on a few hours before you leave is usually enough.

3. Visibility

Winter wiper blades: their covered rubber freezes less and clears wet snow better.
Winter washer fluid: replace the summer fluid, which can freeze in the lines.
Clean, working lights, front and rear.
Belts and hoses: a mechanic can quickly spot cracks, bulges or leaks.

4. Tires (and the right time)

In Quebec, winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15. Don't wait until late November: the usual advice is to switch when temperatures stay around 7°C for several days. To see whether AWD changes anything, read our article on winter tires vs AWD.

5. The emergency kit

Ending up in a ditch on a back road in blowing snow happens. Keep in the trunk:

To get moving again	To wait it out
Snow brush and ice scraper	Blanket and warm clothes
Small shovel	Flashlight
Sand or abrasive, traction aids	Snacks and bottled water
Jumper cables or a portable booster	Charged phone (and a cable)

Also keep the tank at least half full: it's your heat if you get stuck.

6. Clearing snow: what the law says

An "igloo on wheels" can be expensive. Windows or a windshield obstructed by snow or frost can bring a fine of $100 to $200, plus fees. A vehicle covered in snow or ice that could come loose (roof, hood, trunk): $60 to $100, plus fees. Clear the whole roof: a slab of ice flying off on the highway is a real danger to the driver behind you.

7. Idling

Letting the engine run a long time "to warm up" wears the engine and wastes fuel; it's better to drive off gently after a minute or two. Many cities also regulate it. In Montreal, for example, a gasoline engine may idle for at most 3 minutes per hour. There are exceptions: when it's colder than -10°C and someone is on board, or for the time needed to defrost the vehicle. Rules vary from one municipality to the next, so check yours.

8. EVs: a few habits

Preheat the cabin while the car is still plugged in.
Use heated seats and eco mode: they draw less than heating the air.
Park under cover when possible and allow more time for charging.

To compare options, see plug-in hybrid or electric.

Time for a change?

If your car needs a battery, tires, brakes and rustproofing in the same year, do the math. Our quiz suggests vehicles that fit your budget and your winter reality.