Winter Vehicle Prep for Ontario Drivers.

Winter Tires Aren't Optional Here.

Simcoe County sits in the lake-effect snow belt off Georgian Bay. That means sudden, heavy snowfalls that can drop 20 centimetres in a few hours — sometimes more. The stretch between Collingwood and Wasaga Beach sees some of the highest accumulation in Southern Ontario. All-season tires aren't designed for this.

Winter tires use a softer rubber compound that stays flexible below 7°C, which improves grip on cold pavement even when there's no snow. The tread pattern is designed to channel slush and bite into packed snow and ice. The difference in braking distance alone is significant — we're talking metres, not centimetres.

Most insurance providers offer a discount for running winter tires between roughly October and April. We handle seasonal tire changeovers every fall and spring, and we inspect the tread depth and condition each time. If your winters are getting worn, we'll let you know before they become a safety issue. We also check your brakes while the wheels are off — it's the logical time to do it.

The right tires make the difference between stopping and sliding.

Rust Proofing Before the Salt Hits.

The single most destructive thing Ontario does to vehicles is salt corrosion. Road salt gets sprayed onto every major road in Clearview Township from November through April, and it attacks brake lines, exhaust components, subframes, and body panels. Left unchecked, it shortens a vehicle's life by years.

Rust proofing creates a barrier between the salt and your vehicle's metal. The best time to apply it is in the fall, before the salt trucks start running. An annual application — particularly an oil-based undercoating — creeps into seams, folds, and hard-to-reach areas where moisture collects and corrosion begins.

We see vehicles every week where rust has compromised structural components. Brake lines corroded through. Exhaust systems falling apart. Subframe mounts weakened. Almost all of it is preventable with annual protection. If you're new to the area and haven't dealt with Ontario salt before, this is one of the most important things you can do for your vehicle. It's a fraction of what you'll spend on understanding long-term maintenance costs if corrosion takes hold.

An ounce of prevention is worth a subframe replacement.