Mechanic provides tips on keeping cars healthy during the winter

Winter is here, which means mechanics are handing out tips to keep your car ready for the season.

Jason Mancinelli, a co-owner of Driven Automotive, told the Greg Morgan Morning Show that even though Saskatchewan winters are cold, your car does not need long before it warms up.

“A minute, (a) minute and a half and that car’s ready to go,” he said.

Mancinelli also explained that people with modern vehicles should double check their battery life.

He said a 12-volt system supplies a whole system of modules to keep the system going.

“Batteries fail in the summer (and) they show their failure in the winter … Nowadays, all of those computers have to remain awake while that car is starting and with that against the battery is where we see the failures,” Mancinelli said.

He also said it’s important to have winter tires for the season. Over the years, he has seen customers switch from all-season tires and has not heard any complaints.

“Buying two sets of tires just means you have the right tires for the right season and you’re not out any money because you still travel all of the same miles on those tires,” Mancinelli said.

He added that drivers are all depending on each other to get to where they need to go.

“Accidents are usually caused by driver error. I think the first error is not addressing the season we’re in,” Mancinelli said.

As for the oil, he said most manufacturers are recommending synthetic oil which can help prevent corrosion and promotes longevity.

He added it’s also important to check the pressure in your tires and also your spare tire.

“To be on top of those tires and tire pressures ahead of any kind of journey, please make sure because you don’t want to be broken down in -40 on the side of the highway,” he said.