Regina, Saskatchewan — Saskatchewan-based drivers should check their block heaters amid cold winter weather, according to Raza Dawood, the owner of Usman’s Auto in Saskatoon, Sask.
Dawood said that, during a January cold snap, he received up to 15 calls per day from customers with car troubles. The main complaint: “my car is stuck and I can’t start it [in the morning.]”
Dawood’s first question was to ask if they had their block heater plugged in.
“It’s a common problem in Saskatchewan,” he told CBC News. “Especially because people move from other provinces, where they don’t have block heaters.”
Christine Niemczyk, a spokesperson for CAA, added that now is a good time to take additional steps toward car care, to ensure longevity of their vehicles.
“With our extreme cold weather, we know what weakens the battery, and instead of just charging the battery you might need to change it and replace it. The lifespan of a battery in Saskatchewan is about three to four years.”
