This blog was developed in partnership with Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance.

Have you ever found yourself on a Canadian highway wondering if that moose up ahead has a driver’s license? Welcome to driving in the Great White North, where adventure occasionally meets misadventure.

New to Canada? Here, winter isn’t just a season because it’s an extreme sport. From blizzards that could bury a basketball player to roads with an infinite amount of potholes, Canadian driving throws curveballs that would make even seasoned drivers sweat.

But don’t panic! This is where roadside assistance becomes your new best friend. Think of it as that reliable friend who shows up when you’re stranded.

With roadside assistance in your corner, you can explore your new home with confidence. Professional help is a phone call away, leaving you free to worry about important things.

Driver calling roadside assistance for help while driving. — Credit: Getty Images

Why do you need Roadside Assistance?

Canadian Weather Challenges Drivers

Canada’s climate presents some of the most challenging driving conditions in the world. Understanding these seasonal changes is crucial for safe travel!

Winter in Canada can see temperatures plunge below -40°C in some regions, creating conditions where vehicles may struggle to start or operate properly. Snow and ice affect traction and visibility, while blizzards can appear suddenly, reducing visibility to near zero.

Black ice is nearly invisible, slippery patches on what appears to be clear pavement. This poses another danger to those unfamiliar with winter driving.

While Canada is known for its winters, summer temperatures in southern regions like Ontario, Quebec, and parts of British Columbia go above and beyond, reaching 30°C. This heat can cause vehicle cooling systems to fail, tires to blow out, and batteries to weaken. Summer also brings increased traffic to popular tourist destinations, raising the likelihood of breakdowns in unfamiliar areas.

The transitional seasons also bring challenges. Spring thaws cause flooding, potholes, and unstable road conditions, while fall brings early frost, unexpected snowfalls, and roads covered with slippery fallen leaves. These in-between seasons require drivers to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, sometimes within the same day.

Peace of Mind During Cross-Country Exploration

Considering these challenges, roadside assistance provides essential peace of mind for every driver. Whether you’re discovering the coastal beauty of British Columbia, the prairie expanses of Saskatchewan, or the charming maritime provinces, knowing emergency help is available allows you to focus on the joy of discovery rather than the anxiety of potential breakdowns.

Friends having fun on a road trip. — Credit: Getty Images

What is Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance?

For over 100 years, Canadian Tire has been helping Canadians with their automotive needs, and its roadside assistance program extends this commitment to drivers everywhere across the country.

At its heart, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance is an emergency service designed to help get you back on the road when unexpected issues occur. The program provides help for common roadside emergencies, including vehicle breakdowns, flat tires, battery failures, and situations requiring towing.

How It Differs from Roadside Services in Other Countries

Unlike roadside assistance in many other countries, Canadian Tire’s service is specifically designed to address Canada’s unique challenges. Consider the long distances between service centres and accessibility in outlying areas. Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance works to combat these issues.

Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance also operates throughout all ten provinces and responds to emergencies across major highway systems in the territories. This coast-to-coast coverage ensures that emergency assistance is available whether you’re in downtown Toronto or on a highway in the Yukon.

Major Membership Benefit

Signing up for Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance provides access to emergency roadside services. The service also operates 24/7, 365 days a year. Because cars do break down outside of the 9-5.

List of Roadside Services

Towing Services

When your vehicle cannot be repaired on the side of the road, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance provides unlimited tows to the nearest Canadian Tire Auto Service Centre or another facility of your choice within the covered distance. This service becomes particularly valuable when travelling far from home on unfamiliar roads.

Vehicle Lockout Assistance

Few situations are more frustrating than standing outside your locked vehicle. And trust us, we’ve all been there! Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance provides lockout services to get you back into your vehicle safely.

While you may have the keys, we still have a uniquely Canadian problem: frozen door locks and handles. During winter months, moisture can freeze in your car’s lock mechanism or around door seals. Roadside assistance technicians are equipped with de-icing tools and techniques to address these seasonal challenges.

Battery Services

Extreme temperatures are particularly hard on vehicle batteries, often causing them to lose charge or fail. Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance provides battery boost services to get your vehicle started when temperatures change.

Family checking their car that has broken down. — Credit: Andrej Lišakov

Tire Services

Flat tires can happen anywhere, anytime…often in the most inconvenient locations and weather. Roadside assistance professionals will change your flat tire to get you back on the road quickly and safely, regardless of conditions.

If your vehicle has a spare tire, technicians will install it properly so you can continue to your destination or a service centre for permanent repairs. If no spare is available, towing to the nearest repair facility will be arranged.

Preventative Care

Before starting your next Canoo adventure across Canada, inspect your vehicle by checking for:

Oil change interval
Tire pressure/condition
Lights and signals
Windshield wipers and washer fluid
Fluid levels
Battery Condition
Brake system function

Top Tip: Did you know Roadside Assistance members get a coupon to save $40 on an oil change at Canadian Tire? Plus, Canadian Tire Auto Service can complete routine inspections to ensure a vehicle is in good working condition!

Seasonal Maintenance Recommendations

Winter Preparation:	Summer Preparation:
Winter tire installation Battery testing Block heater check Winter-grade fluids Emergency kit update	Cooling system inspection Air conditioning service Undercarriage inspection after winter Tire rotation and alignment

Canadian Tire’s Nationwide Service Network

A huge advantage of choosing Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance is access to their extensive network of Auto Service Centres across the country. With all Roadside Assistance memberships, tows to Canadian Tire Service Centres are FREE!

Now that you have researched the driving conditions through every Canadian season, inspected your vehicle, and found a roadside assistance program that is supported by a national network, it’s time to head out! Navigator: where are we going?

Friends on a road trip having fun. — Credit: Getty Images

Western Canada Adventures

The Rocky Mountains & Icefields Parkway: Routes through Banff and Jasper feature wildlife you will not see anywhere else, but also see extremely quick changes in weather.

Pacific Coast: BC’s coastal highways offer unbelievably beautiful ocean views but come with winding roads, fog, and rain. Click here to read about the best towns in BC to visit.

Central Canada Explorations

Great Lakes Region: Beautiful waterside drives with potential for lake-effect snow and fog.

Northern Ontario: Extensive wilderness with limited services along the Trans-Canada Highway.

Québec: Rich cultural routes from small, eastern towns to the Gaspé Peninsula, with varying urban and rural driving challenges. Click here to read about the best towns in Québec to visit.

Atlantic Canada Discoveries

Coastal Routes: Spectacular views with rapidly changing maritime weather, especially sudden fog.

Cabot Trail: The famous Cape Breton loop offers stunning views but includes sharp turns on the edge of oceanside mountains. Don’t worry, there are a lot of stopping points on the side of the road, so you can safely pause and enjoy the views.

The Cabot Trail in fall. — Credit: Jan Walter Luigi

As a newcomer to Canada, having reliable roadside assistance isn’t just about emergency support. It’s an investment in your experiences! With Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance, you gain the confidence to explore Canada knowing that professional emergency help is always available.

Emergency Procedures

If an emergency were to happen (knock on wood), please:

Move vehicles off the road if it is possible and safe to do so.
Set up warning triangles or pylons if available.
Call roadside assistance for non-life-threatening situations.
Call 911 for emergencies involving injuries.

Resources

Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance Contact Information:

Visit their website here.
Please call their Emergency Service line at 1-888-727-7478