Is It Possible And How To Wash A Car In Winter, Including At A Self-service Car Wash

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Do I need to wash the car in winter: we solve a controversial moment

Some motorists believe that dirt and snow adhered to the body protects it from premature corrosion, so they try not to wash their car. Other owners are very afraid of the negative effects of the reagents used for road dusting and wash their car very often. Let's see which of them is right.

Can I wash my car in winter

Although many people associate winter with cleanliness and old snow, the car gets dirty at this time even more often than in the warm season. Some motorists are afraid that after washing the car, moisture will freeze and damage it, so they try not to wash the car at all in winter. Others are afraid of the negative effects of salts that are sprinkled on the roads, so they wash their cars in any weather on their own. Let's try to figure out which of them is right?

Getting on the car body, aggressive reagents begin to corrode the paintwork within a few years, and then the metal of the body. If the car is not washed at all in winter, then it will not only have an unattractive appearance, but will soon be covered with rust.

In winter, the car is very quickly covered with a layer of dirt and salt

Features of the winter period are low temperatures. As you know, at a frost of 10–20 degrees, all corrosion processes practically stop, even when the body is covered with salt. But we must not forget that already at -5 ^o C, the reagents begin to actively corrode the metal. This process occurs even faster during temperature drops from negative to positive. Taking into account the conditions of the city, it is necessary to wash the car regularly, but you need to know how to do it correctly. In winter, you have to wash your car even more often than in summer.

If we talk about the frequency of washing a car, then it all depends on the weather conditions and how often it is used. If the car is driven constantly, and the temperature often crosses the zero mark, then it should be washed at least 2 times a week. In the case where the car is rarely used, or the outside temperature is below 20 ^on C, it is sufficient to wash once a month.

Video: to wash or not wash a car in winter

How to wash your car in winter

It is not recommended to wash the car yourself with a bucket and a rag in winter. So you will not only freeze your hands, but while rubbing dirt and sand, damage the paintwork (LCP), besides, the water will immediately freeze on the surface. It is best to clean your car at a professional car wash. To wash your car with high quality and cause it a minimum of harm, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. Washing is carried out only in a heated room.

2. Special means are used.

   

   Special detergents are used to wash cars

3. Drying is carried out using pumps to remove as much moisture as possible from hard-to-reach places.
4. The body is treated with wax, which prevents the adhesion of dirt and reagents.
5. After washing, the locks, doorways, as well as the trunk and hood openings are treated with a WD-40 type agent. All seals are treated with silicone grease.
6. You can only go outside by dry vehicle.

Video: how to properly wash a car in winter

How to wash a car at a self-service car wash

Since the self-service car wash is usually located outdoors, experts do not recommend using it in the winter. If you decide to use such a service, then you must adhere to the following rules:

• if the temperature is below 10 degrees, then it is better to postpone the sink;

• it is necessary to ensure that the water is warm. If it is hot, then there is a large temperature difference, which negatively affects the paintwork;

  

  The water should be warm, since a large temperature drop negatively affects the paintwork

• except for the body, you must also wash all the rugs. A lot of snow, dirt, reagents accumulate on them, and soon it all starts to smell bad. Moisture from the carpets gets onto the car body, which leads to its premature corrosion;
• it is necessary to wash the entire body, but especially carefully the fenders, bumpers, hood and doors, since most of the dirt accumulates here;
• after the car is washed, it must be wiped dry;
• since it will not be possible to completely remove all the moisture, it is recommended to open the doors, hood and trunk for some time after washing. The water present on the seals will freeze and they will not be damaged when the doors are opened. The more frost, the less time it will take.

After washing, start moving slowly and be sure to make several test brakes. This is necessary to dry the brake pads and discs to ensure proper operation in case of emergency.

Video: how to wash a car at a self-service car wash

Whether or not to wash a car in winter is a personal matter for every motorist. It is clear that no one will drive a car covered with a layer of mud all winter. It is necessary to wash the car as needed and, if everything is done correctly, the car will always look beautiful and at the same time it will not damage its body and paintwork. Do you wash your car in winter? And if so, how?