Now that we’ve fallen back an hour and the 11th month of the year is upon us, it’s time to decorate for Christmas and buckle down for winter!

Before getting swept up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, you should make sure that your vehicle is ready to hit the roads safely. 

Once everything checks out, you can dive head-first into your holiday preparations—whatever that may look like this year! We have even come up with a few new playlists to help you get through the grey and dreary days of November!

Changing tires in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes

It cannot be said enough: swapping out your summer tires for winter tires is the number one way to get your vehicle ready for winter.

In Quebec, winter tires are actually mandatory from December 1 to March 15 inclusive—every vehicle on the road must be outfitted with their own set!

In Ontario and New Brunswick, winter tires are strongly recommended but not mandatory.

In Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, winter tires are not required but are recommended.

For a complete rundown of the rules, laws and recommendations on which tires are needed for each season, visit your province’s government website!

Accessories for any situation!

November is the perfect month to stock up on winter accessories to make your life easier!

Reusable mug

Is your coffee thermos still doing the trick? Over the years, reusable mugs may become stained and no longer insulate as well as they used to. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re in the market for a new one: 

• Durability: especially if you are using it every day!
• Capacity: are you more of an espresso person or an XL coffee drinker?
• Size: this goes hand in hand with capacity, but you want to make sure that the mug will fit in your vehicle’s cup holder!
• Mouthpiece: do you prefer using a straw, sipping from a small opening or drinking from a spout?

Clean and organized interior
 

Preventative measures are still in place and cleanliness is at the top of our minds! Set up mini sanitation stations in your vehicle complete with small garbage cans that are easily accessible for every passenger so that they can throw away garbage and single-use face masks (if needed)!

Get your hands on a few hanging trash bags that attach to the back of your seat, a small garbage can or some storage bins for your vehicle. While you’re at it, make sure that your vehicle is stocked with Kleenex boxes and small bottles of hand sanitizer!

Tip: buy two of everything listed above (garbage cans, tissues and disinfectant). You want to make sure that the front seat passengers and those in the back have everything they need. That way, you can avoid needlessly touching everything!

We also recommend keeping a few extra face masks in your glove box just in case you forget to grab one before leaving the house!

First-aid kit

As the temperature starts to drop below freezing, severe weather conditions often pop-up unexpectedly—make sure that you are prepared for the worst! To tackle just about anything with confidence, make sure that your vehicle’s first-aid kit is well-stocked.

• Is it easily accessible? Especially if you can’t leave your vehicle to go and grab it.
• Does it still have the same number of items as when you bought it: bandages, gauze, Band-Aids, disinfectant wipes, etc.?
• Are all products with an expiry date still safe to use? 

New playlists to grace your ears!

For some, it’s still too early to be jamming out to Christmas music. That’s why we’ve come up with a handful of playlists that you can listen to when you’re at home or on the road!

Happy Nostalgia on the Road

Our Happy Nostalgia on the Road playlist is perfect for drivers that spend a lot of time on the road or want to reminisce about the good times!

Mechanic Afternoon

For those handymen and women who often do their own vehicle repairs, our Mechanic Afternoon playlist will make the long hours in the garage fly by!

Time to Relax

Need a little “me time” before the December madness starts? Of course, you deserve it! Whether you’re sitting at a red light sipping on a flavoured coffee in your new insulated mug or relaxing in a warm bath, our Time to Relax playlist will help you mellow out!

Running Errands

Whether you’re doing your weekly shop or running out to grab that missing ingredient, it’s always important to stay calm, cool and collected. Each song on our Running Errands playlist was hand-picked to keep your spirits up and put a smile on your face.

Soirée de jeux de société

The month of November can be quite beautiful, but you never know when the temperature will decide to plummet! When the dark, cold nights settle in for good, drown out any negative thoughts by pulling out a board game and listening to this playlist for a bit of family-friendly fun!