Try these essential tips for cold weather protection.
Winter weather can be highly damaging to vehicles. Aside from the dangers of icy roads, your car is exposed to cold temperatures, road salt, and ice, all of which can affect your paint job and how your car looks by springtime.
Understanding the hazards of winter weather can help you create a good defense plan. Let’s explore your options.
Hazards of Winter Driving
Natural and man-made hazards can damage your car’s exterior, including:
- Salt from roads, which can eat away at your paint if it’s not quickly removed.
- Freezing temperatures that can cause small cracks to become larger.
- Falling ice that can make brittle paint chip away.
- Heavy snow, which may lead to scratches as you try to remove it.
- Icy roads, which can lead to fender benders or more serious accidents.
Cold weather can also affect how your car functions, from causing liquids to thicken to reducing tire pressure.
How to Protect Your Car This Winter
Winter is coming, and now is the best time to start preparing your car protection game plan. Here’s how you can preserve your car’s appearance and reduce the impact of winter elements.
Regularly Wash Your Car
Washing your car can be challenging during the winter, especially if you prefer to handwash your vehicle. But it’s important to remove road salt and dirt as soon as possible to prevent any rust or corrosion.
Use a pH-neutral car shampoo to avoid mixing with harmful elements. This type of shampoo rinses cleanly, helping to prevent spots and streaks.
If it’s just too cold for a full wash, at least rinse your vehicle regularly to remove as much salt and road grime as possible.
Wax the Exterior
Wax offers an invisible shield that protects against snow, ice, dirt, and road salt. It fills small scratches in the paint and may help prevent additional scratches or chips.
You should plan on applying wax every few weeks, as it will wash away over time and won’t last you all winter.
Add a Protective Coating
Protective coatings are a few steps above basic waxes and polishes. These coatings are professionally applied and “baked” onto the car’s exterior, creating a tough shield that offers a better barrier of protection. They also last longer, with applications lasting several years.
A clear protective coating like Cilajet prevents corrosion and repels elements that may otherwise corrode your paint job. It also makes car cleanup easier during the winter months, which means less maintenance in the cold. Your car can keep its healthy shine all winter with little to no effort.
Use Winter Tires
Winter tires are a must, especially if you live in areas that are prone to snow and ice. These tires use a special compound that grips the roads better and stays pliable even in the cold. Tread patterns are also different, which helps you stay the course in sludge and snow.
Quality tires will help you avoid hydroplaning in wintery weather so you can keep life moving. You’ll notice a difference in traction and can feel more confident in your safety on the roads.
Avoid Parking Outside
It’s no secret that parking in the elements is bad for your car. It’s exposed to UV rays, bird droppings, cold temperatures, and other hazards that may result from winter weather (such as falling tree limbs that become heavy with icicles).
Try to keep your car in the garage as much as possible, or at least in a covered parking area. When your car is covered and off the street, you can avoid damage from snow plows, road salt, or even other drivers that might slide into your vehicle.
Use a Car Cover
If indoor parking isn’t an option, at least cover your car. Car covers offer some protection from cold weather and the elements, reducing any risks to the exterior. It also means there’s no need to scrape ice and snow off your car after Old Man Winter visits.
You can often find car covers made specifically for your make and model. It’s helpful to practice putting it on and removing it before you need to. This way, you’ll know what to do before you’re in a hurry.
Avoid Ice Scrapers and Brushes
When winter weather occurs and you have places to go, it’s tempting to use a scraper or other tool to clear off your car and get on your way. But consider these tools aren’t good for the longevity of your paint.
Scrapers, even gentle ones, can scratch your paint or glass and leave marks. They might be effective, but you’re not likely to like the long-term results. A better option is to use a soft-bristled brush or a foam snow removal broom. They won’t scratch your car and can be just as effective as a scraper tool.
Be Prepared and Keep Your Car in Excellent Condition All Winter
Winter weather brings about several hazards that can affect your car. While you only have to worry about snow, ice, and salt for a few short months each year, you still need to take the proper precautions. These hazards don’t just affect your driving safety; they also impact your car’s paint job and its longevity.
With the right preparation and care during the winter, your car will be in great shape come spring. Regular washing and rinsing, car covers, clear coatings, and winter tires will help you preserve your car’s appearance, maintain its value, and make driving a year-round pleasure.