7 Tips for Winter Car Care

Winter finally arrived in Victoria! Maybe you saw it coming, but this recent blanket of snow certainly caught us off guard. Victoria looks especially charming with a nice layer of snow, but we have to remember to take a few extra steps to care for our vehicles after a snowfall.

In most cities, Victoria included, snow means salt. When we drive in the snow, and after the snow has gone, our vehicles get caked in road salt and other debris. This salt can be disastrous for our vehicles, so it’s important to take proper precautionary measures.

Here are our 7 best winter car care tips:

Wash

The best thing you can do to make sure your vehicle stays safe from road salt and other winter debris is to wash it regularly. The goal should be to reduce the amount of time that your vehicle is exposed to salt, which means washing it off as soon as possible.

While the undercarriage of your vehicle is the must obviously vulnerable part, you need to make sure that the body gets cleaned of salt too. Obviously the winter weather can make it difficult to break out the soapy water and sponge. Remember that you can always bring your vehicle to us.

Protect

A layer of protection is your best friend. These days there are many ways to go about protecting your vehicle form the elements. The tried-and-true method has always been wax, but modern ceramic coatings are gaining popularity due to the superior protection and lifespan that they offer.

Paint Protection Films (PPF) offer the strongest protection, but they are generally not applied to the entire vehicle. We still endorse their use, but remember that if you have PPF applied to your hood and fenders, you still need to make sure that the rest of your car is protected.

Proper Parking

If you have the ability to park inside, especially during snowy weather, do it. Keeping your vehicle inside will help the snow melt off while you aren’t using it, and will take lots of the corrosive salt with it.

If you must park on the street, try to park it somewhere that sees little traffic, as every passing car will churn up snow and ice. Additionally, many Victoria drivers aren’t used to the conditions and may lose control of their vehicles.

Car Covers

If your vehicle will be parked outside for more than a couple days, consider a car cover. Covers keep precipitation from accumulating and protect your paint from having to scrape ice away. Additionally, when it is time to drive, you might actually find that you save time by not having to clean your windshield, roof, and rear window before starting up.

Brush

Just like how your dentist tells you to avoid hard-bristled toothbrushes, we advise against stiff brushes and aggressive scrapers for your car. When purchasing your brush, look for one with soft bristles that won’t damage your paint. For ultimate function, choose a specific snow removal broom with a foam head.

Repair

Any defects in your paint need to be dealt with as soon as possible, especially when it is snowy. The obvious concern during winter is rust caused by precipitation and road salt. Your paint’s main job is to prevent this rust from occurring, but even a small blemish will allow rust to gain a foothold in your paint, from which it can spread out. Take your car to a touchup shop for quick repairs, you will probably be surprised by how inexpensive and quick the process is.

Spring Clean

Once the weather warms up a bit and the snow is gone for good, give your car a thorough clean. Sunroof to lug nuts, headlights to taillights, make sure every square inch of your vehicle is cleaned of winter’s residue and caked on salt. You can buy specially designed hose attachments meant for spraying the underside of your vehicle with fresh water, helping you get rid of the salt. These are a fantastic investment, will last a lifetime, and can be found for between $30 and $50.

Professional Car Care in Victoria, BC

If your car deserves a little love, look no further than CJ’s Autobling in Victoria BC. We are the local experts on high quality ceramic coatings and extensive detailing. Check out our detailing services here, and follow this link to learn about our ceramic coatings. And, as always, feel free to reach out and get in touch we are always happy to chat.