Slush. Ice. Cinders. Salt. Winter sure is a sloppy time for the roadways in Northeast Ohio, and no one is a stranger to the mess of dirty, melting snow. It often seems like our cars get the worst of it. Either all of the snow and sludge collects on our shoes and ends up in our carpets and car mats, or, maybe even worse so, bits of dirt and ice get stuck to the outside of our cars, making every vehicle color a lovely cloudy gray until the spring thaw.
This is why it is so important to keep your car clean inside and out during the winter. Most people feel it is a losing battle, but we have a few tips and tricks that will help you keep your car spotless. After all, who wants a ruined ride once the weather breaks and the sun returns?
Wax is your best friend.
Icy, snowy, wet roads collect dirt, and when driving on slick roadways, this grime ends up all over your fresh paint job. That’s why investing the extra bit of time and money into getting a fresh wax is worth it. The extra layer of protection wax gives the exterior of a vehicle means less damage from the bits of grit it collects on a winter road trip.
Look into snow foam.
When washing your car, you want to make sure you don’t have a layer of solid grime on it. Scrubbing this debris can lead to microscopic scratches, leaving your car susceptible to rust and corrosion. Soak off the grime with a layer of snow foam before a regular shampoo — it’ll keep your car cleaner longer!
Hint: Rubber mats are waterproof.
One of the easiest ways to keep your car clean in the winter is to replace your fabric floor mats with rubber or plastic ones. They keep the muddy water from soaking into your carpets and can easily be cleaned when things get too grimy. Challenge yourself to keep your car clean this winter and buy a few rubber mats — they’re inexpensive as well!
A clean car is a happy car, and a well-maintained car is a reliable car — don’t forget about the nuts and bolts this winter and get a regular car check-up at your local Northeast Ohio Rad Air Complete Car Care & Tire Center!