Best ways to keep your car clean this winter

BY KATHLEEN DUFF

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Winter is tough on vehicles. Whether you drive a rugged four-wheeldrive truck or a trusted passenger sedan, the season ’ s ice, snow and sludge can do plenty of damage.

Ignoring a vehicle in the winter can be costly, leading to chipped paint and corrosion that need to be repaired. If not addressed, those issues can decrease the usable life and the resale value of cars and trucks.

“The question I get all the time is, ‘Should I wash my vehicle in the winter?’” said Wade Keith, brand manager and part-owner of Breeze Thru Car Wash. “My answer is absolutely. In fact, I’d say wash it more often. ”

Keith said magnesium chloride and other substances applied to Colorado ’ s highways to foster ice melt can stick to a vehicle. If left unchecked, the chemicals, along with abrasives such as dirt and sand, can damage a vehicle ’ s paint.

“It cakes on your car, creating chipped areas; it can erode parts of your car faster, ” he said.

Pressure washing is particularly important. Breeze Thru offers various package options, including an Unlimited Wash Pass, in which customers can wash their vehicles as many times as they want for one monthly price.

“A one-pass will get your car cleaner, but if you wash more frequently, the more you do it, the better, ” Keith said. benefit of having a wash membership pass is to go through the wash multiple times while the weather is bad to keep it clean longer. ”

That practice is particularly important for the undercarriage of a vehicle. Often neglected because it is out of sight, the undercarriage is where corrosives can cause the most damage.

“Again, a pressure washer is your best option. If you do a lot of winter driving, especially in the mountains, it ’ s important to clean that out. ”

To reduce wear, the car-wash industry has introduced a new type of wax called ceramics, Keith explained.

“We ’ ve introduced the ceramic in our top package called the Premium Shine. You can see the difference; it provides a lot better protection. The good thing is that it adds an extra layer against bugs, and bugs are hard to remove, ” he said. “I wax my car before snowstorms to protect the exterior. ”

And that ’ s just the outside. Cold weather can be equally damaging to the inside of vehicles. Keith recommends all-weather mats that can be removed and washed.

“They are really a good idea if you have kids and dogs, ” he said.

Winter car care tips

• Use a product such as Windex on windows to ensure that snow and ice slide off more completely.

• Check windshield wiper levels prior to traveling.

• Consider packing a car care kit for the winter, including extra windshield wiper fluid, soft cloths, a bag of kitty litter to provide traction beneath stuck tires, flashlight, blankets and jumper cables

• Don ’t forget to winterize boats and other recreational equipment. Wash them thoroughly before storing them for the winter.

• Clean interiors after every trip or event. Vacuum often. Try running a damp cloth across upholstery where dogs or cats have been to remove short hairs.