When winter weather strikes, salt and sand are excellent tools to help provide a safe road for drivers. Salt helps melt the ice even when temperatures are below freezing, and sand helps keep the salt in place.
But while salt and sand help your car grip the road in less-than-favorable weather, it can also spell trouble for a car’s finish or even cause vehicle damage.
Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to help protect your car this winter.
Getting a car wash isn’t just something for the spring and summer months. In fact, keeping your car washed and waxed regularly in the winter is one of the best things you can do to prevent salt and sand damage to your vehicle. Cars should be washed, if possible, every two weeks during the winter, including the undercarriage where salt can get stuck. Vehicles also should be washed after each snowfall, if possible. Winter often also means cold temperatures. If it’s below freezing, hold off on your car wash until the temperature rises. Otherwise, water may freeze on your car’s surface and cause damage, too.
As for waxing, cars should be waxed every three months during the year. Be sure to get your car waxed before the first snowfall is expected in your area and consider applying a ceramic coating for added protection.
Snow and ice can get stuck and freeze in your car’s wheel wells – often taking salt, sand, or even bits of dirt or asphalt with them. Over time, these can damage your car’s undercarriage or the wheel well. Be sure to clear debris from around the wheels before you hit the road, and target these areas when washing your car in the winter.
These days, roads are almost always pre-treated ahead of an expected snowfall or ice storm. That means salt is on the road even before the first snowflake falls.
If possible, plan your travel around snowstorms, opting not to drive the day prior to, during, or the day after a snowfall. This can help minimize the amount of salt your car encounters (and help you avoid possible dangerous driving conditions). Of course, avoiding driving entirely isn’t always possible. If you do have to drive, be mindful of avoiding potholes and puddles, which can collect dirt, salt, and other items that could damage your car.
With road salt, the exterior of a car often gets the most attention, but it’s important to care for your car’s interior too. Salt and grime can be tracked in on your shoes during the winter, quickly staining the carpet.
To prevent this, you can put down plastic weather floor mats to help protect the inside of your car. If you do track in any salt, be sure to vacuum and clean the carpeting or seats promptly to help prevent staining.
Salt can corrode metal quickly, especially on paint that’s damaged. If your car has any chips or scratches to the paint job, be sure to repair them promptly – ideally before the first snowfall. This will help protect the actual body of your car from damage and prevent the paint job from deteriorating further.
Need help repairing chips or scratches? Carwise.com can help you find a body shop near you to help with all your car maintenance needs. Search your zip code today to get started: carwise.com/auto-body-shops
