September 28, 2026A Quebec winter puts your vehicle through a lot. This complete checklist makes sure you drive safely from November to March.
Tires and brakes: the top priority
Before anything else, your winter tires and your brakes must be in perfect condition. A vehicle will not stop on snow if its brakes are weak: the laws of physics make no exceptions.
- ✓Install winter tires as soon as the temperature drops below 7 °C
- ✓Check the tread depth (legal minimum: 1.6 mm, recommended: 4 mm or more)
- ✓Have the brakes and rotors inspected before the season
- ✓Check tire pressure after each cold snap (it drops about 7 kPa or 1 PSI for every 5 °C)
Battery: test it before the freeze
A battery that struggles to start in October will not make it through January. Have it tested for free at any garage or auto parts store before November. If it is more than 4 years old and showing signs of weakness, replace it now.
Fluids to check
Every fluid plays a crucial role in winter:
- ✓Coolant: check the freeze protection (ideally down to -40 °C in Quebec)
- ✓Washer fluid: use only a winter product (-40 °C), never water
- ✓Engine oil: check whether a thinner oil is recommended for extreme cold
- ✓Brake fluid: if it has absorbed moisture, change it before winter
Visibility: don't overlook the basics
In winter, you often drive in reduced visibility.
- ✓Replace the wiper blades (winter models recommended)
- ✓Check the rear defroster and the heated mirrors
- ✓Test the headlights and check their aim
- ✓Always clear all the snow off the vehicle before driving (required by law)
A car that is only partly cleared can throw chunks of snow onto other drivers. It is an offence under the Highway Safety Code and a serious hazard.
Winter emergency kit
Keep these items in your trunk all winter:
- ✓Booster cables (or a portable jump starter)
- ✓Ice scraper and snow brush
- ✓A bag of gravel or cat litter (to get unstuck)
- ✓Emergency blanket, water, a granola bar
- ✓Flashlight with fresh batteries
- ✓Tow strap
