5 Tips for Winter Car Maintenance
It’s December, you and the family are on the way to Christmas dinner, and you hear the clanking of rock salt hitting your car. This is more common as colder weather sets in and the snow comes down. But in reality, what is this rock salt doing to your car? In this article, we’ll educate you on actions to prevent your car from rock salt damage and why it’s more critical to commonly wash your car in the Winter months, in comparison to any other time of year.
1. Salt Corrosion. One huge problem for car owners during the Winter months is salt corrosion. Furthermore, rock salt surely helps to make roads a safer place by melting down ice and snow. But it can also melt down parts of your car, resulting in rust. When salt splatters on your car and mixes with water, it creates a chemical reaction known as oxidation. Oxidation can cause salt corrosion, eventually resulting in the rusting of your car if not treated. Rusting will not only ruin your car’s bodywork but can also potentially lead to mechanical issues. Simply washing your car more in the winter can help to prevent such problems.
2. Safety. Not only does rock salt eat at your car when mixed with snow, dirt, and other chemicals on the road. It can easily impair your vision when on the windshield. Because of this, it’s vital always to have windshield washer fluid and to get a car wash commonly. It is recommended during the winter months to get your car washed every 1-2 weeks. This helps to prevent salt corrosion and keeps you and your precious passengers safe on the road.
3. Prevention of Expensive Repairs. When a car is neglected throughout the winter months, it often results in expensive repairs. With rust-related repairs, this can often result in parts being replaced, or in worst-case scenarios, a new car is needed. A simple car that was cash every 1-2 weeks would be a much simpler, cheaper option. This also helps to lengthen the lifespan of your vehicle.
4. Cars Are Dirtiest During Winter. Cars are easily at their dirtiest during the winter due to all the salt, ice, snow, dirt, and other chemicals on the road. No one likes to pull up in a dirty car, but in the winter, it’s far more common due to the constant change in elements. A car wash pass or stopping by every couple of weeks can help to make you look far more presentable for that critical winter meeting as well.
5. What Type of Car Wash? In the winter, any type of car wash is better than no car wash. But with that being said, the winter months are when you are at your greatest risk of having hidden spots collecting rust. That is why it is recommended you hand wash your vehicle at the Clean View Auto Wash Self-Serve or get an upgrading car wash with Ultimate Wash or Good Wash. These options ensure that those hard-to-find spots do not get missed and your vehicle stays rust-free during those winter months.
All in all, it is recommended you wash your car every 1-2 weeks for proper preventative care on your vehicle. Here at Clean View Auto Wash, we have all the proper tools to keep your car lasting longer, your family safer and looking good for that big meeting. Stay safe this winter!
