Cleaning your car can be a hassle, especially when the weather is less than desirable. Consider these reasons why cleaning your vehicle in the winter is vital.
When the snow is coming down and the temperatures are below freezing, spending time cleaning your or your teen’s car is probably the last thing you want to do. Unfortunately, the salt, snow, and ice can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s exterior. With that said, you may need to know the reasons why cleaning your car in the winter is important—keep reading to learn more about winter car care.
Salt and Moisture Cause Rust
The winter season is full of snow, sleet, ice, and salt, all of which can cause damage to your car. Although you may not see immediate damage, letting these substances sit or build up on your exterior can cause issues. You probably already know that excess trapped or pooling moisture can cause rust on your car, but salt can also eat away at your paint job.
You may think dried salt can’t cause damage, but that’s not the case—it can damage your car’s exterior. Luckily, one of the many benefits of waxing your vehicle is you can drive in the winter months without worry, as it gives your car a protective barrier from the elements. However, even with a wax coating, you should wash your car every week or two, depending on weather conditions.
Snow Build-Ups Can Be Unsafe
It’s nearly impossible to prevent snow from building up in certain areas of your car, but you must know that it can be unsafe. Although you can brush snow off of your vehicle before driving, it still builds up in your wheel wells, rims, and undercarriage as you drive. With that said, you should clean your car frequently to melt any chunks of ice or snow and ensure your vehicle gets you from point A to point B safely.
Visibility Is Crucial for Your Safety
If you’ve ever driven in a snowstorm or behind a large vehicle with snow on the ground, you probably know that dirt and other substances can build up on your windows. As you drive, you must be able to see clearly out of all your car windows to get to your destination safely. By taking your vehicle through the wash frequently, your windows will stay clean enough to safely get you through the winter months.
After learning the reasons why cleaning your car in the winter is important, you or your teen driver are ready to travel through the cold months with ease. Along with a few tips for purchasing your teen’s first car, you should be sure to teach your new teen driver the importance of keeping their vehicle clean despite the weather. Driving safely should be everyone’s main priority, and having a clean car is one of the best ways to keep yourself and others out of harm’s way.
