As summer comes to an end, families across Montreal start preparing for a new school year. Between school drop-offs, commutes, sports practices, errands, and after-school activities, your vehicle may see more daily use than it has during the summer.
Before your routine gets busy, take time to make sure your vehicle is ready for the extra driving. A few basic car safety checks can help you identify potential problems early and give you greater confidence behind the wheel.
Montreal’s changing weather, frequent short trips, and rough or uneven roads can all add stress to your vehicle. Whether you drive a family SUV, sedan, minivan, or another type of vehicle, these five checks should be on your back-to-school maintenance list.
1. Check Your Tires, Steering, and Suspension
Your tires play a major role in vehicle safety. They provide the traction you need for accelerating, cornering, and braking. If they are underinflated, overinflated, worn, or damaged, your vehicle may not handle as expected: especially on wet roads or uneven Montreal streets.
Start by checking the pressure in all four tires. You can find the recommended pressure on the sticker inside the driver’s door or in your owner’s manual. Check the pressure when the tires are cold for the most accurate reading.
While checking the pressure, inspect the tires for signs of damage or unusual wear. Look for:
- Uneven tread wear
- Cracks or bulges
- Cuts or punctures
- Objects lodged in the tread
- Low tread depth
Tread depth is the amount of usable rubber remaining on the tire. Low tread depth can reduce traction and increase stopping distances, particularly in rain.
Uneven wear can sometimes indicate a problem with wheel alignment, which refers to the angles that position your wheels relative to the road and the vehicle. It may also point to a tire balance or suspension issue. Your suspension includes components such as shocks, struts, springs, and bushings that help keep the tires connected to the road.
Watch for these warning signs while driving:
- The vehicle pulls to one side
- The steering wheel vibrates
- The vehicle feels loose or unstable
- You hear clunking over bumps
- The steering wheel is not centred when driving straight
- Tires are wearing more on one edge than the other
Simply replacing a worn tire without addressing the underlying issue may lead to premature wear on the replacement. If you have recently hit a pothole or curb, a professional wheel alignment inspection can help determine whether your vehicle needs attention.
It is also worth checking your spare tire if your vehicle is equipped with one. A spare that has been sitting unused may have low pressure or may not be in suitable condition for an emergency.
2. Inspect the Braking System
School zones can be busy. You may need to stop frequently for traffic lights, pedestrians, crossing guards, school buses, and children moving between vehicles. Having a properly functioning braking system is essential in these situations.
Pay attention to any changes in the way your vehicle brakes. Warning signs can include:
- Squealing or grinding sounds
- A soft or spongy brake pedal
- Vibrations when braking
- The vehicle pulling to one side
- A brake pedal that feels different than usual
- A noticeable increase in stopping distance
- A brake warning light on the dashboard
Brake pads and other braking components naturally wear over time. How quickly they wear depends on your driving habits, vehicle type, traffic conditions, and how frequently you drive.
A soft or spongy pedal can indicate a problem with the hydraulic braking system, which uses fluid pressure to apply the brakes. Grinding may mean that brake components are severely worn and require prompt attention.
If you hear unusual noises or notice changes in braking performance, have the system inspected rather than waiting for the problem to become more serious. A brake inspection can also provide an opportunity to check:
- Brake pads
- Rotors, which are the discs the pads grip
- Calipers, which press the pads against the rotors
- Brake fluid
- Brake lines and related hardware
- The parking brake
This is particularly worthwhile before the school year begins if your vehicle will be making frequent short trips through busy neighbourhoods. You can learn more about available maintenance and repair options on the Canada Tire Decarie services page.
3. Test Your Lights, Wipers, and Visibility
Good visibility is an important part of safe driving. School drop-offs and commutes can happen early in the morning or later in the evening. Rain, fog, glare, and changing fall weather can also make it more difficult to see the road and other vehicles.
Walk around your vehicle and make sure the exterior lights are working properly. Check the:
- Headlights
- Brake lights
- Turn signals
- Hazard lights
- Parking lights
- Reverse lights
If a bulb is dimmer than the others or flickers, have it inspected. Uneven lighting can make it harder for you to see and for other drivers to recognize your intentions.
Your windshield wipers should also be in good condition. Summer heat and sunlight can cause the rubber blades to become hard or cracked. Worn blades may leave streaks across the windshield instead of clearing it properly.
Check for:
- Streaking
- Skipping
- Squeaking
- Cracked or split rubber
- Areas of the windshield the blades do not clear
Check your windshield washer fluid level and top it up if necessary. It is much easier to discover an empty reservoir in your driveway than when you are dealing with a dirty windshield during a rainy commute.
Finally, inspect the windshield for cracks or chips. Small damage can sometimes spread because of temperature changes, road vibrations, or impacts. If you notice damage, have it assessed before it becomes a larger visibility issue.
Also clean your mirrors and windows, confirm that your mirrors are adjusted correctly, and check that your rearview camera or parking sensors work properly if your vehicle is equipped with them.
4. Test the Battery and Charging System
A reliable vehicle needs to start when you need it. Few things can disrupt a busy school morning faster than turning the key or pressing the start button and discovering that the engine will not start.
Summer heat can be hard on automotive batteries. Even if your vehicle has started normally throughout the summer, a battery that is already aging may become more noticeable as conditions change and mornings become cooler.
Watch for signs that your battery or charging system may need attention, including:
- Slow engine cranking
- Dimming headlights
- Electrical accessories behaving unusually
- Difficulty starting the vehicle
- Corrosion around the battery terminals
- A battery or charging system warning light
The battery is not the only component responsible for starting your vehicle. The alternator, which recharges the battery while the engine runs, must also work properly. The starter, cables, and electrical connections all play a role.
If you have experienced starting problems or your battery is getting older, consider having the battery and charging system tested. A technician can determine whether the battery is holding an adequate charge and whether the charging system is operating properly.
Taking care of a weak battery before the school year starts can help prevent an inconvenient no-start situation during a busy morning.
5. Check Your Fluids and Maintenance Schedule
Your vehicle relies on several fluids to keep its systems operating properly. Before school starts, check the fluid levels recommended in your owner’s manual and look for signs of leaks.
Depending on your vehicle, these fluids may include:
- Engine oil
- Coolant
- Brake fluid
- Transmission fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Windshield washer fluid
Engine oil is especially important because it lubricates the engine’s internal components and helps manage heat and friction. Driving with insufficient or degraded oil can contribute to unnecessary engine wear.
Coolant is also important after a hot summer. It helps regulate engine temperature and protects the cooling system. If your temperature gauge is running higher than normal or you notice coolant leaking from your vehicle, have the cooling system inspected.
Never remove a radiator cap while the engine is hot. The cooling system may be under pressure, and hot coolant can cause serious burns. Follow your owner’s manual or ask a technician to check the system safely.
This is also a good time to check your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. If an oil change, filter replacement, fluid service, or other recommended maintenance is due soon, completing it before school begins can make it easier to stay on top of your vehicle throughout the year.
Canada Tire Decarie offers oil changes with safety inspections as well as fluid checks, flushes, and replacements.
A Quick Inspection Can Help You Start the School Year With Confidence
Getting your vehicle ready for back-to-school driving does not have to be complicated. Checking your tires, brakes, lights, battery, and fluids can help identify problems before they interfere with your daily routine.
You should also pay attention to changes in how your vehicle drives. A new vibration, unusual noise, warning light, fluid leak, overheating, or change in braking performance is worth investigating.
Some issues are easy to spot at home, while others require professional equipment and experience to identify. If you are unsure about the condition of your vehicle, a professional inspection can provide a more complete picture.
At Canada Tire Decarie, our team can inspect your vehicle and help identify maintenance or repair needs before they become a bigger inconvenience. Whether you are preparing for daily school drop-offs, a longer commute, or simply want to make sure your vehicle is ready for the months ahead, an inspection can be a practical way to start the school year.
Contact Canada Tire Decarie to discuss your vehicle’s needs and arrange an inspection.