Winter Car Care Tips

 
The colder months of the year can take their toll on your car, especially if you live up north or in the Midwest. But a few simple preventative measures will keep your car looking good and protect it from the ice and slush. Your car will thank you and you'll thank yourself when you get ready to sell it.

Here are a few tips for protecting your car from the cold weather:

• Protect your car's appearance and value. According to the International Car Wash Association (ICA), regular washing and waxing will help maintain your car's appearance and resale value. A car that's in good condition is worth a lot more than a car with dull paint or rust.
  
  "Most car owners realize the value of regular oil changes to protect the engine," explains Mark Thorsby, the executive director of ICA. "But if they neglect the oil changes and have to replace the engine, the car could still be as good as new. But a car with dull paint and a lot of rust can never be economically restored. The best prevention is to wash and wax your car regularly at a professional car wash." 
  
  Thousands of professional car washes around the world offer a wide range of services to help protect your car's finish from harmful rusting. There's simply no reason not to keep your vehicle in great shape. Most car washes offer varying levels of service to suit all of your car care needs. 
  
  As a starting point, try an exterior tunnel type car wash to easily apply protective waxes and undercarriage treatments. You might also consider detailing or custom polishing services for more extensive protection for your vehicle.
  
  By properly applying a high quality polish, you can restore a shiny finish to your car. And with a well-done detail service, you can thoroughly clean everything from the air conditioner vents to the rugs in the trunk. 
   
• Sometimes your car just needs a quick fix. If you find yourself running short on time but still need your car professionally cleaned, you can try a self-service car wash that provides several effective self-cleaning services to choose from.
  
  For best results, be sure to follow the step-by-step instructions posted in the bay. These usually recommend starting with a pre-soak to loosen any road grime that may be on your car.
  
  Next, use the high-pressure soap wash on your car. Then use the foaming brush for gentle scrubbing, followed by the fresh water rinse. And be sure to take advantage of any special tire and wheel cleaners that may be available.
  
  To ensure maximum protection and a brilliant shine, finish up by applying the wax. Many self-serve car washes offer a spot-free rinse option where all of the car cleaning solutions are specially formulated to remove tough road dirt and protect and enhance your car's shine. 
   
• Protect Your Car from winter weather and everything that comes along with it. 
  
  To get a head start on protecting your car from winter's ill effects, be aware that the worst thing that you can do to your car is nothing! Don't worry that your car might freeze up. Washing road salt, mud, and slush from your car during cold weather is vital to maintaining it's appearance. 
  
  The single best thing that you can do during the cold months is to carefully wash your vehicle often at a professional car wash.
  
  If the temperature hovers around freezing and you've been driving on salted roads, you may need to wash your car every other day or so. This may seem a little excessive, but your car is a very expensive item and it's very important to protect it.
  
  Properly washing your car should also include an undercarriage rinse to remove salt from those hard-to-reach places that are most likely to rust, especially the bumpers and in the wheel wells.
   
• Protect your truck or pickup with a quality truck bed cover.

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