Winter “Do’s and Don’ts” For Your Car

With all the snow, ice and salt, protecting your car in the winter can seem like an uphill battle. Knowing what to do and what NOT to do in the winter months can help your car to look and run great. Here we have some “do’s and don’ts” for protecting your car this winter.

• DO: Wax your car before winter – Not only does snow and salt dull your car’s paint but it can also make it susceptible to rust and oxidation. Using a high grade carnauba wax on your car will not only create a beautiful shine but will also help protect your paint.

• DON’T: Let salt and dirt age your body – Neglecting your car’s regular wash routine allows salt and dirt to accumulate during the winter months. If you allow your car to stay dirty for extended periods of time, oxidation and rust can prematurely age the body of your car. Keeping your car clean is a good way to help prolong the life of your vehicle.

• DO: Fill washer fluid – Visibility while driving can be an issue at times in the winter. Be sure that your washer fluid is full so you don’t get stuck driving blindly. It may be a good idea to invest in some winter specific washer fluid. These fluids typically will keep from freezing in all temperatures above -25 degrees Fahrenheit. You may also want to check your wiper blades and see if they need to be replaced.

• DON’T: Use hot water on your windshield – Don’t try to cut corners by de-icing your windshield with hot water. The rapid change in temperature can cause your windshield to crack.

• DO: Keep a snow brush in your car – If the first snow of the season has ever taken you off guard, you may have had to brush snow off of your car with your bare hands. Needless to say, this is not fun. It is never too early to get ready for winter by putting your snow brush in your car.

• DON’T: Use your scraper on your paint – A common misconception about the scraper on your snow brush is that it can be used to scrape ice off all areas of your car. This is most definitely not the case. Your scraper is specifically designs for your windows ONLY. Using your scraper on your paint can cause scratching and chips that can be expensive to repair.

• DO: Brush snow off of your car – No one wants to stand outside in the cold for an extended period but don’t get lazy when removing the snow from your car. If you allow snow to remain on your car, it can freeze further and be even harder to brush off. Don’t let the winter weather “snowball” into a problem. Snow also decreasing driving visibility which can make driving dangerous.

• DON’T: Keep your car in the garage unless it is clean – Many people keep their car in the garage to protect it from the snow. Not many people know this but this can actually be very dangerous for your car AND your garage floor. Since salt is more reactive in warmer temperatures, this can cause damage to the body of your car and your concrete. It is actually safer for you to keep your car outside so it is exposed to a fairly consistent temperature. Having a professional clean and seal your concrete can help prevent these problems in the future.

GK’s Custom Polishing, Inc. is your headquarters for automotive detailing, climate-controlled storage and transporting. To schedule your pre-winter detail, give us a call at (440) 937-4457 or send us an email at frontoffice@gkspolishing.com.  For more car care tips, visit our blog or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.