By Jim Utter
Director of Journalism
Cold temperatures may seem a contra-indicator to heading to a car wash, but winter and spring tend to be the two busiest seasons for car washes.
While freezing temperatures in general don’t tend to mix well with water, the debris buildup from winter weather is reason enough to explore the need to find a car washing option.
Especially in areas of the country that face harsh winter weather conditions – and we’ve already seen a fair share of that already including in areas not generally accustomed to it – road salt, grime and other debris can potentially damage a car’s paint and undercarriage if left untreated.
In many cases, waiting for a good “spring cleaning” may not be the best option. But should you decide to visit one of the many commercial car washes that operate in the winter, there are some helpful tips you should keep in mind.
A clean car is a better car: Washing your car in winter is important for several reasons, with the most important preventing the buildup of road salt, debris and dirt that easily gets collected on roads, especially in areas that see a lot of snow and ice.
While road salt is great for driving safety, it can be harsh on your car’s paint and metal surfaces. Regular washing removes salt and helps prevent rust and corrosion. It also prevents dirt buildup which can be more prevalent in the winter.
Two areas of important concern are maintaining good visibility, with clean windows and mirrors, and cleaning the undercarriage of your car, which is prone to the collection of winter grime which could potentially damage areas like the exhaust system, suspension components or the wheel wells.
Stay in the heat: Washing your vehicle when it’s colder shouldn’t cause issues but if you are concerned about low temperatures, many automatic drive-thru car washes are heated, as is the water and washing products used.
Some car washes – particularly those located in areas with frequent cold temperatures and winter weather – advertise their year-round availability and even offer amenities like heated concrete on the premises.
Touchless car washes may be preferrable in the winter if you are concerned brushes may not be thoroughly cleaned after performing numerous cleanings. An undercarriage wash option is also important because, as pointed out above, it’s a prime location for the collection of salt and grime.
Don’t freeze yourself out: The biggest issue when washing your car in freezing temperatures is preventing the doors from freezing shut. Most cars today have keyless entry, so locks freezing isn’t as much of an issue as it used to be, but the rubber seals in the door frame can still freeze from ice.
Although most car washes have air dryers, they don’t always get a car completely dry. After a winter wash, pulling your car into the vacuum areas and towel-drying the door jams and rubber door deals is probably a good idea.
If unsuccessful and you do find your car door frozen shut later, you can try melting the ice with a hairdryer or pour lukewarm water over the door openings (a trick I used successfully many times in upstate New York). Avoid the window glass, if possible, to reduce the risk of cracking from the drastic change in temperature.
