Nadia Matos
Manager, External Communications | CAA South Central Ontario
Thornhill, ON, CANADA
Media spokesperson and subject matter expert on winter driving, road trips and travel.
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Industry Expertise (3)
Public Relations and Communications
Automotive
Travel and Tourism
Areas of Expertise (4)
Road Trips
Travel and Tourism
Winter Driving
Strategic Communications
Education (2)
Mohawk College: Hons. Diploma, Broadcast Journalism & Communications 2005
Carleton University: Bachelor of Arts, History, History and Canadian Studies 2001
Media Appearances (6)
Ontario woman buys electronic rust control device, but her car still rusts
CTV News Toronto online
2022-11-22
CTV News also reached on to CAA and Nadia Matos, manager of External Communications said “It is very hard for us to recommend electronic modules as we have not seen any data that proves it is a viable way to reduce rust or that it works better than other options.” “Our recommendation is to spray your vehicle every year, in the summer months with Krown Rust Control. A vehicle that is annually treated will last longer and will run better. It uses a patented method to protect your vehicle from the dangers and mechanical failure that rust can cause. This gives the owner the opportunity to keep it for an extra five years or more and to save thousands of dollars,” said Matos.
'We're booked up every day, all day': Motorists urged to winterize vehicles
CTV News Windsor online
2022-11-17
CAA has partnered with several police forces and the Ministry of Transportation to help inform Ontarians that now is the time to get your winter tires installed, check your vehicle’s battery and have a stocked emergency kit with all the essentials needed for the winter months. “Now's about the time that you want to start thinking about booking your appointment with your mechanic,” said CAA South Central Ontario spokesperson Nadia Matos. “To get a set of four matching winter tires and while you're there you may as well get him or her to check your car battery.” “The average car battery lasts about three to five years, and even a fully charged brand new battery loses about 30 to 35 per cent of its power on those very cold winter mornings. So really now when you're getting your winter tires ready and as you're getting prepared for the winter driving season, it's crucial that you talk to your mechanic and make sure that your battery will make it through the winter months.”
Putting safety first this winter
Toronto Star online
2022-10-22
Four thousand per day: that’s the average amount of calls the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) receives in its South Central Ontario region during winter. And while that number doubles during severe weather, Nadia Matos said the reasons behind those surges are not always what you might expect. “Surprisingly, it’s not the big winter snowfalls that trigger the most calls for roadside assistance,” said Matos, external communications manager for the CAA. “Where we tend to get hit hardest with requests is when that deep, deep freeze comes on, which can take a significant toll on car batteries and make it all the more common for people to get stuck.” It is for this reason, said Matos, that having a well-thought-out emergency kit in your car — particularly in Ontario — is of the utmost importance. She said that there is no better time than now to eliminate as many risks as possible before the first flakes of snow touch the ground. “Most drivers are aware of the basic supplies that one should have in their car in case of an emergency,” said Matos. “Items such as matches, a blanket, reflectors, water and some non-perishable items like granola bars are important to have in your vehicle all year.”
Car theft in Toronto is up 60 per cent. Here are four ways to make sure your car isn’t next
The Toronto Star online
2022-06-06
Most of the time it's a crime of opportunity, says Nadia Matos, media and public relations consultant at CAA Club Group. To prevent theft, you want to make your vehicle less appealing as a target. But, ultimately, if a thief wants your car, they'll find a way to make it happen. Here are some expert tips to slow down car thieves: Be careful with your keys. To prevent theft, Matos' first piece of advice is to never leave your car unattended with the keys inside. "We hear about that all the time," she says. Matos recommends drivers purchase a "Faraday box" or bag, also known as signal blocking pouches, that can prevent your signal from being hijacked. And, if you have two cars in your driveway, park the most valuable vehicle inside the garage, Matos adds. Purchase preventative or recovery devices. Matos recommends car owners consider installing an immobilizer, if your vehicle doesn't already have one (many newer models do). This is an electronic security device that will only start the engine if the correct key is used, making it harder for anyone to steal your car. "What it does is help to prevent thieves from bypassing the ignition and hotwiring the vehicle," she said. Keep important car information handy. If your car is stolen, you'll want to contact the police as soon as possible, Matos says. In those instances, it's important to have key information on hand to support the police search for the vehicle. Matos advises owners to take a photo of their car and keep it in a safe place along with its VIN number.
Car rental agencies predict ‘carpocalypse’ in Canada this summer as they run out of vehicles
The Toronto Star online
2022-06-02
Nadia Matos, a spokesperson for CAA, said renters are spending at least 20 per cent more during peak rental times compared to before the pandemic. Yet, demand for rental cars is still high this summer, particularly on the east coast. "Our travel call centre tells us that most of the major rental companies are sold out for the summer months," she said.
Special devices, black market tech and guns: The tools behind the GTA’s car-theft crime wave
The Toronto Star online
2022-05-22
Nadia Matos, a media and public relations consultant for CAA South Central Ontario, said car owners should always consider investing in some anti-theft devices that can make it a little harder for would-be thieves. A steering wheel lock can stop a thief from driving your car. An electronic alarm can make noise and deter unauthorized entry. Car owners should ensure their vehicles have an immobilizer — an electronic security device that only starts the engine if the correct key is present, preventing thieves from hot-wiring a vehicle the old-fashioned way. Getting a kill switch professionally installed in the vehicle is also helpful. Matos also echoed police advice to keep keys far away from doors and out of range from any amplification device. "If your car has a wireless key fob, keep it in a Faraday box or pouch to block its signal, which prevents it from being hijacked," she said, adding that installing a GPS tracking device on your vehicle can help locate and recover it, if it's stolen. (A Faraday box is a container that blocks your key fob's signals from escaping.)
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