We're your best resource
CAA North & East Ontario is your trusted resource for vehicle care. Our expert vehicle care and maintenance tips can help Members gain valuable advice and guidance. We also provide roadside assistance and at-home services like CAA Pit Crew, so help is never far away. As repair costs keep climbing, staying on top of maintenance is one of the smartest ways to avoid costly surprises.
Follow your vehicle's maintenance schedule
Your car's owner's manual holds the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, a checklist of exactly when your specific model needs service, from oil changes to major inspections. It should always be your first stop for questions about upkeep, since it reflects what your car needs to stay healthy and reliable. Sticking to the maintenance schedule is particularly important while your vehicle is under warranty, since skipping recommended service can void that coverage entirely.
Being proactive can save you money down the line
Staying proactive with car maintenance is one of the easiest ways to save money over time. Addressing a small issue right away often prevents it from far more costly repairs later down the road. Think of your car as a system of interconnected components, each one dependent on the others to function properly. When one part fails, it can trigger a chain reaction, turning a minor issue into an expensive one.
Prepare your car for Canadian winters
Don’t wait for the first snowfall to catch up on regular maintenance. Have a mechanic inspect the brake pads and rotors, and replace them if needed. Check the heating and cooling system, air filters, wires, cables, belts, and hoses, replacing anything showing wear. Confirm all vehicle lights work, including headlights, taillights, and turn signals. Finally, inspect windshield wipers and replace worn blades so they clear snow, ice, and slush effectively.
Preventing rust on your vehicle
Canada's harsh weather takes a real toll on vehicles, and rust is one of the most common results. Winter road salt combined with year-round rain and moisture steadily wears down a car's frame and undercarriage. Annual rust-control treatments and frequent washes, especially in winter, go a long way toward extending your vehicle's lifespan. CAA Members get $10 off at Krown Rust Control and 10% off car washes at Shell.
After winter, conduct a spring car inspection
Winter weather can be hard on your vehicle, so it is a great idea to get a multi-point inspection. Freezing temperatures are tough on batteries, especially if your vehicle has been sitting over the winter. Our CAA Pit Crew technicians can test, replace, and recycle yours right in your driveway.
Cold weather also takes a toll on your vehicle's overall health, and a few components are common culprits when things go wrong:
- Electrical components.
- Engine oil.
- Transmission fluid.
- Brake and suspension.
- Horses
- Belts
- Ignition and starter
- Timing belt
- Fluid leaks
How to prepare for heading to the mechanic
Before heading to the mechanic, think about when you first heard, felt, or saw a problem with your car, then describe it to your mechanic in plain, simple language. This guides technicians in narrowing down the area of concern so they can give you a clear, accurate quote and timeline. If you drive your vehicle regularly, you're often the first to notice changes in how it sounds, feels, or performs, so those details matter.
Not a CAA Member? Join today
CAA Membership means help is there when you need it, including roadside assistance for emergencies. Members can also stay ahead of maintenance with CAA Pit Crew, which brings services like oil changes, windshield repair and tire swaps to your driveway. Add exclusive savings at retailers like Krown, NAPA AUTOPRO, and Shell to keep your car in great shape.
Winter car maintenance FAQ
Cold weather can expose battery issues that may have started during the extreme heat in the summer. Test your battery before winter to make sure it is fully charged, look for a battery reading of at least 12.6 volts, and check the battery's posts, cables and alternator for wear. If the battery is struggling, consider replacing it before it leaves you stranded on a cold morning. CAA's Mobile Battery Service can test, replace and recycle your battery at your location, and CAA Members save up to $25 when purchasing a CAA Premium Car Battery.
Winter tires are strongly recommended because they are designed to stay softer in very cold weather. Having winter tires can also earn you a discount on your auto insurance. All-season tires can struggle to maintain traction when temperatures drop below 7°C, while winter tires have deeper, more aggressive grooves that improve stopping, acceleration and cornering in winter conditions. Studded tires may provide extra grip in specific conditions, but they are only legal for highway driving in Northern Ontario.
Wash your vehicle regularly through the winter to clear away salt buildup and help prevent rust on the undercarriage. A car wash's high-pressure jets rinse the body, wheels, trim, and undercarriage, where salt tends to collect. It's also worth washing your vehicle before roads get salty and applying a coat of wax for extra protection as winter approaches.
Tire air pressure drops in colder weather, so check it monthly. Maintain tires at the recommended pressure specified in the owner's manual – do not exceed the pressure listed on the tire sidewall. Using identical tires on all four wheels enhances vehicle handling.
Don't mix tires with different tread patterns or sizes. Tires marked with the pictograph of a peaked mountain and a snowflake meet specific snow-traction performance requirements and are built for severe winter conditions.
Fill your washer fluid reservoir with winter fluid, including detergent rated for temperatures down to-40 °C. Keep a spare jug in the trunk. Replace wiper blades that streak or smear to ensure clear visibility.
If you must drive in bad weather, plan ahead and be prepared: keep the fuel tank at least half-full, make sure others know your destination, ensure you cell phone is fully charged and share your estimated time of arrival. Make sure your winter tires are installed before the snow starts falling. A rule of thumb is to install them when the weather is –7C for at least seven days, or by mid-November.
Keep to the main streets, drive cautiously, and match your speed to the road and weather conditions, avoiding passing other vehicles if possible.
If visibility becomes poor, clear all snow from the hood, roof, windows and lights first, then find a place to safely pull off the road — a rest area or roadway exit is best. If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as you can safely and turn on your four-way flashers so other drivers can see you.
Damaged ignition wires, clogged air filters or worn spark plugs can make starting difficult or may cause a sudden breakdown. Ensure these components are in good repair or replace as necessary.
If the vehicle's carpet is exposed to a lot of salt water over the winter, rust could form underneath where you can't see it. A good rug shampoo will help remove the salt from the carpet fibres, and be sure to clean the upholstery too. Give the vinyl in your car a good cleaning with a vinyl treatment product as well, to help protect against drying and cracking.
Spring car maintenance FAQ
When switching to summer or all-season tires, the rule of thumb is typically 7-for-7: wait until there are seven consistent days at 7 C. Summer and all-season tires provide better traction on snow-free roads, making your vehicle safer to drive. Winter tires are not designed for warm weather and will wear faster once temperatures consistently reach 10C.
Our CAA Mobile Tire Change service will send a technician to your home to change your seasonal tires on-site.
While washing your car, inspect the paint for chips or scratches, and look for rust buildup. If you find minor damage to your paint job, buy some touch-up paint as soon as possible.
Spray the salt and dirt out of your wheel wells, a favourite hiding spot for rust, and repair any rust, if required.
Keeping cool in the summer months is important, both under the hood and inside your vehicle. In fact, there are just as many calls on some summer days as on winter days. Why? Overheating! Before the temperatures start to rise, check your vehicle's cooling system and have your antifreeze tested to ensure it's at the proper strength. Check that your radiator pressure cap is in good condition, and make sure the rubber seal is intact and there's no coolant residue around the cap.
Year-round maintenance FAQ
Change the engine oil and filter as per your vehicle's factory-recommended intervals. If you don't have a maintenance schedule to reference (common with older vehicles), the standard rule of thumb is every 5,000 km or three months, whichever comes first. Keeping your oil clean improves your vehicle's performance and can even help you get better mileage.
Most car batteries last between three to five years. Your vehicle's battery is an extremely important component. It must remain in good condition to withstand harsh cold or extreme heat. Have your battery’s life checked by CAA's Mobile Battery Service. Our team can test, replace and recycle your battery at your home, and CAA Members save up to $25 when purchasing a CAA Premium Car Battery.
Properly inflated tires help prevent faster tread wear. If a tire is under- or over-inflated, it loses stability, negatively affects your vehicle's handling, cornering, and stopping capability, and causes uneven tire wear. Driving on properly inflated tires can save you money; they use less fuel, and if you blow a tire, it can cost anywhere from $50 to $250 to replace, depending on the kind of tire you need. Inspect your tire inflation when there are drops or increases in temperature.
Replacing the wiper blades every six months is particularly important in spring when you're dealing with temperature variations, dirt, rain, and pollen. Changing your windshield washer fluid in time for summer is important, as specifically formulated fluids banish sticky bugs, tar, dirt, bird droppings, and oil.
Consider purchasing streak-free formulas for improved visibility. It is also important to check your tire wear and inflation and swap your winter tires.
Pulling, a soft or squishy pedal, or unusual squealing or grinding often indicates a need for brake service or repair. It's also worth having a mechanic proactively inspect your brake pads and rotors , rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
Check the windshield for stone chips or cracks. Dealing with chips right away can prevent the entire windshield from cracking, while visible cracks usually mean the windshield needs to be replaced. CAA's Pit Crew service can fill chips in your windshield right from the comfort of your own home.
When diagnosing unusual sounds or smells from your vehicle, pay attention to the following signs:
Squeals are shrill, sharp noises typically associated with engine speed.
Clicks are sharp noises that may correspond to either engine or vehicle speed.
Screeches are high-pitched, piercing metallic sounds that usually occur while the vehicle is in motion.
Rumbles are low-pitched, rhythmic sounds.
Pings are high-pitched, metallic tapping sounds often linked to engine speed.
Heavy knocks are rhythmic pounding sounds.
Clunks are random thumping sounds.
As for smells, be alert to sharp odours such as burnt toast, rotten eggs, persistent sulphur smell, acrid odours, gasoline fumes, or burning resin, as well as sweet scents.
By staying alert to these noises and smells, you can catch potential problems before they lead to a breakdown.
If the problem persists after repair, ask someone from the facility to accompany you on a road test, clearly state the correction you want, and give them the chance to correct any errors or oversights.
Read your bill carefully, question any information or charges you don't understand, and ask for descriptions of replaced parts, not just part numbers.
Transport Canada's website lists any outstanding recalls for most vehicles. Type in your vehicle information, and your question will be answered.
If you think your vehicle may be affected by a recall, you can ask your local dealer to check your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). All recalls are VIN-affected, and the dealer will have the most up-to-date information from your vehicle’s manufacturer.
The Ontario Consumer Protection Act regulates motor vehicle repairs. Its purpose is to provide protection to automobile owners whose vehicles require repairs. The main features are as follows:
- Written estimates must be provided on request
- Customers must be told in advance if there is a fee for an estimate, and the amount of the fee
- No work may be charged unless it’s authorized
- Actual costs may not exceed an estimate by more than 10 percent
- Parts must be returned upon request
- Specific warranties must be set out
- Charging more for work that is covered by insurance is prohibited
- Repairers are barred from collecting illegal charges
Learn more here.
1. Visit caaneo.ca/termsandconditions for full Membership Terms and Conditions. Terms and conditions apply.