How important is cleaning your car during winter months

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – Winter may not seem like the most ideal, or even convenient time to get a car wash. But if you’re worried it'll wind up doing more harm than good, or even freeze the finish, think again.

Keeping up with car maintenance in the winter is more important than ever, because of the snow and bitter cold. Going through an automatic car wash is just as effective as handwashing your car, if not better, especially in the winter months. And with all the dirty snow, salt, and grime on the roads getting at least one car wash every week or two can help keep the chemicals off and prevent rust.  

“The underbody wash definitely helps protect the vehicle and keep it safe and there’s never a wrong time to wash the car and you can never wash too much,” Mike’s Car Wash District Manager, Jake McLemore said. 

 McLemore said the chemical treatments coating the pavement harm every part of a vehicle. Giving your car a good scrub regularly is one of the best ways to prolong its life. However, if temperatures are below freezing, avoid doing it yourself. Instead, go to an automated car wash---to help lessen the risk of doors and locks freezing.

 “We use hot water on several different spots of the car during the process of the car being washed. It helps get that snow and ice off the vehicle, we also have 16 hot air dryers that help get the car dry as possible,” McLemore said.

The district manager said winter is one of the busiest times of the year for mike’s—and other area car washes as well.

 “The cold doesn’t necessarily play a factor in the quality or the safety of the car wash and washing your vehicle,” McLemore said. 

 It’s important to keep your car running for at least 30 minutes before getting a wash since warming it up helps prevent freezing.