Winnipeg winters are harsh, testing even the most experienced drivers. We’re here to help you troubleshoot some of the most common winter carsharing issues.
Winter Snow Clearing
Peg City has two types of parking spots: either on-street or parking lot locations. Parking lots are cleared at a schedule determined by the lot owner or building management. The city sets the schedule for on-street clearing. Peg City manages vehicle moves for snow clearing on all round-trip FIX spots. When ending a trip with a FLO vehicle, it’s important to avoid streets marked with snow route signage and check for residential snow-clearing routes. The best way to stay current is to download the Know Your Zone App from the City of Winnipeg.
If you approach a snow-covered Peg City vehicle, whether on-street or in a parking lot, you have a few tools inside the vehicle to help you. Peg City cars come equipped with a snow brush and scraper, a snow shovel, winter tires, and spare jugs of wiper fluid. Since time is charged by the minute with FLO, we add ten minutes of free snow-clearing time at the start of your booking. Billable time begins once you start driving or after 10 minutes, whichever comes first.
Cleared the snow, but still having trouble getting the car out? Check the parking brake. While we ask members not to engage it at the end of their booking, some are in the habit. Parking brakes will either be located in the centre console just behind the gearshift, as an electronic parking brake button below the radio, or, for larger vans, as a pedal below the steering wheel and to the left. You’ll know the parking brake is on if you see the letter P or an exclamation mark surrounded by a red circle on the dash.
Dead Batteries and Starting Your Trip in Winter
Try this if you’re having trouble starting a car, whether push start or keyed ignition.
- Turn off all lights and fans.
- Put your foot on the brake and hold the start button down, or turn the key firmly all the way over and hold it in place (sometimes, in cold weather, it takes a moment for the engine to catch).
- It’s important to note that running the engine is the only way to warm a car. Turning the ignition into accessory mode, where the lights, fans, and even the radio are running, only drains the battery and doesn’t make it easier to start.
- If you’re in a push-start car and see a “key not detected” warning sign on the dash, take the vehicle fob from the glove box and use it to depress the button directly as you attempt to start the car. Sometimes, the fob can be cold, and bringing it closer to the ignition will help. You can also try warming the fob on your skin before starting.
- If you still can’t start the car, give us a call. We’re available for emergencies from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
Electric vehicles use two batteries – one to run the engine and another to start the car. Follow the same steps for an electric vehicle as you would for a fuel-powered one.
Please note that running a car for several minutes before beginning to drive is unnecessary. The best way to warm up a car is by moving slowly and braking gently as you begin to drive. We’ve got more winter driving tips for you here.
Low Tire Pressure Warning
The electronic tire pressure monitoring system often comes on in error, usually due to an issue with getting an adequate reading from the winter tires. Your only responsibility is to inspect the tires visually. If they all look normal (try to inspect on level ground without significant mounds of ice or snow), you’re free to drive as you need. If you notice a tire that looks a bit low, it’s helpful if you can add air to the tire. We’ve got a video tutorial for you here, and we’ll reimburse you for the cost of air. Just save your receipt.
If you notice a significant flat, discontinue driving to avoid further damage, and call our member services line for assistance.
Stuck Cars, Windows, or Doors
Call us if you’ve tried shovelling the snow around the car, checked the parking brake, and still can’t move it. We’ll help you get on your way.
If the window is stuck in the down position, double-check that the window lock hasn’t been turned on accidentally. You’ll find the button on the driver-side door console in some of our vehicles. If there’s no window lock button or you’ve checked that it’s not turned on, you can also try physically pulling up the glass as you press the window up button. Sometimes, this is enough to get it going. If you still can’t get the window up, call us.
Can’t open one of the doors? Try another to see if you can get in and loosen the door up from the inside. You can also use the extra wiper fluid in the car to melt ice around the door, then pull harder.
Cancel at No Cost
If a blizzard hits and you cannot use your booking or the city recommends limiting all non-essential travel, we will cancel your booking at no cost. Call to cancel.
