If you live in a warm state like California, your mechanic probably doesn’t know much about salt residue and the problems that it can cause. If you live in a cold weather state, however, your mechanic can tell you all too well just how bad salt can be. How important is it to wash your car, especially during winter months?
Preventative Maintenance
Why wash your car during the winter? Regular car washes are crucial year-round, but winter washing takes on heightened importance. Winter road treatments like salt and chemicals aggressively accelerate rust formation on your vehicle’s frame and body panels – especially with older vehicles. Left unchecked, rust can compromise structural integrity, necessitating costly replacements – potentially thousands of dollars depending on your vehicle.
Proactive winter car care involves meticulous cleaning of the undercarriage, wheel wells, and any areas exposed to salted roads. This preventative maintenance minimizes rust damage and significantly reduces the risk of expensive repairs.
Furthermore, diligently removing snow, dirt, and debris from the paint surface throughout the winter is paramount. These contaminants also contribute to rust and corrosion, increasing long-term maintenance costs. By prioritizing winter car washing, you invest in your vehicle’s longevity and avoid costly repairs down the line.
So, do yourself a favor and read how you should properly wash your car in the winter to help prevent rust, erosion and other potential problems.
Try Water
Water is just one of those miracle substances that seems to fix so many things – and salt on the underbody of your car is just one. If you don’t have access to an indoor carwash (they do exist), wait for the weather to warm up a bit and then use a wand sprayer attached to a garden hose to thoroughly and carefully spray the bottom and sides of your car.
Don’t do this in cold weather in your driveway, otherwise the cold water on the car and on the driveway will freeze and then you’ve got yourself a whole different problem.
Remember to be thorough and spray the entire underbelly thoroughly.
Clean It Up
Of course, years of accumulated salt is going to get pretty tough and water may not be enough to get it all off your car. If so, attach your wand sprayer to a container of car wash solution or Simple Green cleaner, available at most hardware or auto stores. Spray the cleaner on the car carefully and then remove the cleaning attachment and rinse well with clean water
Be Serviced
If you can afford it, it’s well worth it to take the car to a professional car wash and have them provide a full-service wash. This will include a good scrubbing to get all that salt and debris off your car and leave it spick and span. Consider doing this once every two or three months just to make sure you aren’t leaving salt behind. Openbay offers discounts on car washes, nationwide. Give them a try and you can save money on keeping the exterior of your vehicle clean and free from salt.
Ignoring the fact that salt builds up on your car during the winter months can cause problems later down the road. Help avoid some of these (potentially costly) issues by cleaning your car regularly in the winter time.
