Washing a car in the winter months can help it operate at peak capacity despite harsh weather.

People take different tactics when it comes to washing their cars. Some prefer to hand wash their vehicles, taking care to primp and polish. While this might be easy when it is warm outside, cold weather can quickly zap ambition and actuallymake it downright painful to do so. Also,environmental experts tend to frown upon washing the car in the driveway because of the water waste and chemical detergents running into storm sewers. Commercial car washes recycle and filter their water.

Preventative car care is especiallyimportant when the cold weather sets in.The road additives - such as salt and sand - can wreak havoc on a car’s paint, corrode the undercarriage of the vehicle and potentially rust the wheel wells. Keeping the car clean and waxed can protect the finish and help protect against scratches and marring from any winter road debris.

Car corrosion damage is especiallycommon during the winter months.Prevention remains the best solution to corrosion, and a car wash is a preventativemeasure that takes little effort.

Cars need washingin winter too

It’s essential to wash away road salt and other grime of the cold-weather season. Otherwise, drivers risk damage to the car’s enamel and corrosion of its undercarriage.

Automatic car washes are a convenient way to clean a vehicle in the winter.However, these facilities tend to use harsh chemicals that eat through debris. This can result in swirling patterns and spotting on some cars. An alternative is to head to one of the self-wash carwash bays and bring along your own products or rely on theirs so that you will have a high-powered water supply for rinsing. Even if you cannot do the cleaning job you would in the warmer weather, rinsing some of the salt and grime from the car, expecially underneath, can go a long way toward preventing corrosion.

Before the snowy season sets in, it’s a good idea to do a thorough washing of the car and apply a new coat of a high-quality wax. The wax will serve as an extra barrier against grime.

Before and after washing the car when it’s below freezing, it’s adviseable to use a de-icing product on the doors and windows. If not, the windows might get stuck.

Washing a car in a cold climate is not something many people enjoy, but it’s a good way to keep a car running strong and looking good.

If you think a car wash is only for sunny summer days, think again.

FA L LL C A R FA L LL C A RR FA L L C A R C A R E C A R E C A R E

CITIZEN’S NEWSFriday, October 14, 2011 17

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