Clean your car: Consumer Reports advises keeping vehicles clean during the winter. The Road report says to wash your car every two to four weeks, which will help prevent the damage road salt can do to a vehicle. When washing, opt for the “touchless” or “brushless” car wash, as brushes making contact with salt or sand can cause scratches in the vehicle’s paint surface.

The report also encourages people to pay for the undercarriage cleaning but skip the wax and tire treatments, since they won’t last in wintry weather.

While between washes, make sure to keep sensors free of grime, ice and snow and use a winter blend to keep windshield washer fluid full to avoid freezing and keep the windshield clear of ice, snow and salt mist.

Stop distance: A hybrid sedan takes an additional nine feet to stop on dry pavement, compared to a non-hybrid version of the same model car. Meanwhile, a hybrid SUV takes an average of four additional feet to stop when compared to the same, non-hybrid model.

These statistics are according to testing data compiled by Consumer Reports.

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RECALLS: For those who are not aware, Consumer Reports has information on current vehicle recalls. General Motors has put out a recall for more than 650,000 Chevrolet and GMC pickup trucks and SUVs.

The recall includes 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs.

It focuses on models with a 5.3-litre engine and a 3.08-ratio rear axle. The recall is in regard to a faulty sensor that may cause a wheel to brake unexpectedly and could lead to an accident.

According to Consumer Reports, the 2015-2018 models of Subaru Forester are also under recall. The issue involves a front-passenger airbag that may deactivate, even with a person sitting in the seat.