HOW TO GET YOUR VEHICLE READY FOR SAFE WINTER DRIVING AND SAVE MONEY

VERNON, BC - Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Kal Tire shares low-cost maintenance tips to help avoid the risk of collisions & costly repairs

VERNON, BC—As temperatures drop in many parts of the country and as many Canadians look to stretch their dollars, Kal Tire is sharing budget-friendly ways to get vehicles ready for winter roads. These tips help drivers stay safe while getting more life from their parts and tires.

“A few routine maintenance steps can go a long way toward preventing accidents, unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs,” says Mike Butcher, vice president, store operations, Kal Tire. “Winter driving can be a much safer experience for everyone when a vehicle is ready for the conditions. Fortunately, most winter preparedness steps are simple and low-cost.”

Top Winter-ready Tips for Tires

If you can, Butcher recommends investing in designated winter tires because they improve braking on cold roads, snow and ice—reducing the risk of collisions and costly repairs. That extra grip comes from a rubber compound that stays soft at temperatures below +7C, and deeper tread blocks that bite into snow and slush. To ensure safer braking and cornering performance, when choosing tires, look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol.

“If you need a more affordable option, you can still run one set of tires year-round with all-weather tires,” says Butcher, adding they’ve passed snow traction tests and bear the winter tire symbol.

For drivers who already have winter tires or all-weather tires, Kal Tire encourages drivers to remember to check tire pressure.

“Cold air lowers your tire pressure, and that can cause uneven wear and poor fuel efficiency,” says Butcher, who suggests monthly pressure checks for better vehicle performance and tire life.

Another affordable and often overlooked way to delay the cost of replacing tires is with rotations. Regularly rotating tires ensures even wear, better traction and longer tire life.

“Whether you’re driving winter or all-weather tires, rotating them helps you get the most value out of your investment and postpones the need for new tires,” says Butcher.

What else can drivers do to spend less on their vehicles and stay safe this winter?

Top Winter-ready Tips for Vehicle Parts

• Replace wipers before they fail. Worn wipers reduce visibility and increase the chance of accidents. Replacing them ahead of winter is a low-cost way to maintain safety and avoid damage from poor visibility in snow or freezing rain.

• Inspect brakes to prevent expensive repairs. Reliable braking makes all the difference on slippery roads. A pre-season brake check can catch issues early, helping you avoid costly emergency repairs and ensuring your brakes work when you need them most.

• Test the battery to avoid unexpected costs. Cold weather strains your battery. Testing it, cleaning terminals and checking cables can prevent breakdowns. Drivers can also reduce short trips, park in warmer areas and turn off electronics before shutting off the engine.

• Check fluid levels to protect your engine. Low or improper fluid levels in winter can lead to engine damage. Checking antifreeze, oil, brake fluid, and washer fluid helps your vehicle run smoothly and avoids expensive repairs caused by freezing or poor lubrication.

“We all want to stay safe out there this winter and everyone wants to avoid unexpected repairs, so whatever your budget, we encourage you to be proactive with a simple and affordable vehicle maintenance routine,” says Butcher.

About Kal Tire

Kal Tire is one of Canada’s largest independent tire dealers and one of North America’s largest commercial tire dealers. Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group is an international leader in mining tire service and supply, servicing more than 150 mine sites across five continents. The company has warehouse facilities across Canada servicing over 270 Kal Tire retail and commercial stores. Kal Tire owns and operates 10 truck tire retread facilities across Canada, plus six earthmover retreading facilities located in Canada, the United Kingdom, Chile, Ghana and Mexico. The company employs more than 6,500 team members. For more information, visit KalTire.com.

Contact

For more information please contact:

Nikki Kinakin Supervisor, Communications

Communications@KalTire.com