Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Getting ready for winter

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While we’re still trying to take advantage of what’s likely a last blast of warmer weather — it’s inevitable that winter will arrive.

Last year’s brutal winter exposed those who are in charge of clearing our roads. And Monday, the MTO and OPP, for the first time ever, announced that this time around, they’ll be ready.

Sounds scary, but it’s only a matter of time before you’re shoveling. So you get caught up in all of that.

After last year’s historically cold and snowy winter, the Ministry of Transportation and the Ontario Provincial Police showed today, how they plan on keeping up with Jack Frost.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt: “They want to have their plows out plowing by the time there’s two centimetres of snow on the ground. And the goal, within the Toronto area — have those roads bare within eight hours.”

Last year, the city of Hamilton had to ration road salt due to increased demand. The city’s supplier used to be based in the States. This year, they moved closer to home.

Mike Christian, OPP: “We got ourselves a local supplier and they’re going to supply us for the entire winter and going forward.”

Before you hit the roads this winter, make sure your vehicle is winterized, and the rule of thumb is to do it as soon as possible. Like right now.

Adam Thetrault, Tower Service Station: “November is a good rule of thumb, if it’s seven degrees, our snow tires seem to congeal to the road much easier.”

Did you hear that? Snow tires! Not all-seasons!

Adam: “In cold weather, this compound solidifies and doesn’t stick to the road the same where we have this is a directional tire, a snow tire so it’ll push the snow, push the ice and remove everything out of the way and the compound is much softer.”

If your tires are already installed, you can do other season-related checks on your own.

Adam: “You also have a winter fluid as well, you want to put that in instead of a summer fluid so it does not restrict your line and freeze up on you. Your engine oil, check your conditions. Headlights. This is very dark – this is starting to yellow. 3M supplies a good cleaning agent where this would be clean and restore your lens back to new.”

It’s also suggested that every car have some snacks, flashlight an at least a half tank of extra fuel just in case your stranded on the side of the road. I understand it’s still nice and a bit of a downer. But guess what, I’m reporting on the Santa Claus Parade Tuesday, so winter isn’t all that bad.

 

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