The winter can be a treacherous season for our cars, especially those of us that live in areas that see significant amounts of snow during this time of year. While ice, snow, salt, and debris can cause a lot of damage to our vehicles if left unchecked, there are a few things that we can do to protect them against winter damage. Here, CARS Protection Plus includes a few common ways to keep winter hazards from harming your vehicle’s paint, glass, and undercarriage.
Wash and Wax Your Car
Washing and waxing your car before the first snow in your area is good practice for a few reasons. Waxing your car gives it a layer of protection against the elements, protecting it from rust and oxidation on the exterior. Washing is helpful because it rinses off slush and salt, which can be extremely damaging to the body, frame, and undercarriage of your vehicle. When washing in the winter, use lukewarm water, wipe with a soft material, and do not forget to clean the salt and debris that can accumulate under your car. For best results, always ensure that you are using high quality waxes and detergents to keep your car’s paint in the best condition possible.
Cover Up
CARS Protection Plus acknowledges that one of the best ways to protect against winter damage is to find ways to keep snow from making contact with your vehicle. Snow buildup can be damaging to your windshield, and a windshield snow cover can make a great barrier between snow and glass. When possible, protect your vehicle by keeping it out of the snow. If you do not have a garage or enclosure to prevent snow buildup, however, one solution can be to purchase a snow shelter. Snow shelters act as umbrellas for your vehicle and can protect it against direct contact with snow in addition to helping it maintain its interior warmth. CARS Protection Plus recognizes that an additional benefit to added protection is that it makes cleanup after snowfall much easier.
Consider Your Tires
Driving safety in the winter depends on how well our tires can keep traction and, for this reason, it can be helpful to examine your tires and consider replacing them with new ones if your current ones are worn out. Drivers in areas that only see occasional snow may only need all-season tires that perform well in snow traction tests. Drivers in areas that typically see a lot of snow in winter or where temperatures regularly drop below 45 degrees will fare better with dedicated winter tires. Even if your tires are well suited for winter conditions, CARS Protection Plus recommends regularly checking your tire pressure on a weekly basis to maintain traction on icy or wet surfaces while driving. This is an important step because tire pressure can decrease as much as one pound per square inch for every 10-degree temperature drop.