With frosty mornings, rainy days, and dark nights, knowing how to wash your car in the winter can be difficult. With slush and salt on the streets and cold temperatures, winter is extremely tough on vehicles. If you get into the habit of cleaning your car regularly this winter season, you will set yourself (and your vehicle) up for success! Today, we are outlining 5 tips for how you should wash your car in the winter.
How To Wash Your Car In The Winter
Rinse Your Car Regularly
On winter roads, your car will encounter things like salt, grit, and rotting leaves. These things can can all stick to your paintwork and leave harmful deposits behind. This, in turn, causes the onset of rust, which will eat away at your car’s exposed metal work if it is left unchecked.
To avoid the possibility of rust, we suggest that you rinse off all mud, salt, snow, and slush from your vehicle as soon as you possibly can. Rinsing regularly will help keep your car looking its best and running smoothly during the colder months.
Remove Dirt and Salt Buildup
Our next tip is to remove any dirt and salt buildup from your car’s undercarriage. Salt, dirt, and moisture deposits are the most harmful on your car’s undercarriage where metal components are less protected. If rust takes hold here, you could face all sorts of mechanical issues down the road, or see the resale value of your car plummet when it comes time to trade it in or resell. This is why you should always remove buildup from the underside of your car. Do not forget to clean off the wheel arches, door jams, and the spaces between the bumpers, bonnet, and boot.
Add a Strong Layer of Protective Wax
Waxing adds more gloss and protects the exterior of your vehicle from things like sun exposure and small scratches. If you have never waxed your car before, don’t worry, it is not difficult. This is a great way to ensure your paintwork is protected during the winter. To apply wax, add some to a foam applicator and rub it into the finish in a swirling motion. Wipe off the excess with a microfiber towel. Your car will now be more protected from winter’s grit and grime.
Clean the Carpets and Upholstery
Next, to wash your car in the winter, make sure to clean the carpets and upholstery from time to time. Your wet and muddy shoes will bring in a lot of dirt into your car. Even if you have car mats, dirt will still find a way into the carpets, creating stains and smells.
It is important to thoroughly clean your car’s interior, to keep it looking (and smelling) fresh! Rocket Carwash makes cleaning your floor mats quick and easy with our state-of-the-art mat machine. Head to your nearest Rocket Carwash location today!
Keep the Windshield Smear-Free
Finally, keeping your car clean in the wintertime is not all about looks but safety, too! Believe it or not, sun dazzle is more common in the winter than it is in the summer because the sun is low during peak driving hours. When the sun hits them on a winter’s morning, or when the sun is low in the sky, dangerous dazzle could impact your ability to drive the car safely.
That’s why it is so important to keep your windshield clean and free from smears. Also, it goes without saying that if you park your car outside, make sure you clear your windscreen, roof, and rear window of any snow or ice before driving. Not only can leaving it impair your vision, it could also cause a distraction for other drivers.
Closing Note
We hope these tips will help you take care of your car and wash your car in the winter safely! For an extra boost, head down to your nearest Rocket Carwash and treat your vehicle to a fresh wash. Learn more about our wash feature here!
