During the winter, it is especially important to take care of your vehicle’s exterior. Many people often think, “Why bother? My car is only going to get dirty from the snow and sludge?” However, it is for this very reason that you should not neglect caring for your car’s exterior. Unsure what the best winter car care routine is? At Waterloo Automotive, we are dedicated to helping you keep your vehicle in mint condition. Because of this, we have some helpful guidelines below.
Guidelines for Winter Car Care:
1. Wiper Blades
When it comes to caring for your car, it is important to start with the basics. In this instance, that means properly looking after your windshield wipers. When there is snow, rain, and ice coming down outside, it is crucial to your safety on the roads that your wipers are properly working. Without well-functioning wipers, your vision can become compromised, making for dangerous driving conditions. The solution? When your car is parked and you are expecting ice or snow, cover the blades up with plastic or cloth. This should help protect the rubber from extreme temperatures and further damage.
This helps to a certain extent, but when you begin to see streaks on your windshield, it is time to replace the blades. Why? A streaky windshield is indicative of malfunctioning wipers, something that cannot be risked when you need them most. Another reason these blades are so important is the fact that wipers help remove damaging road salts and snow/ice accumulation from your windshield. Left untreated, this buildup can create cracks in your windshield. The best way to avoid this is with good, preventative car care.
2. Car Wash
Although the cold temperatures may discourage you from regular visits to the car wash, this is still a crucial part of car care — winter is no exception. When the snow and salt-filled roads become a mess, your car’s exterior becomes a mess, too. In addition to making your car look bad, the chemicals used to melt ice and snow on the roads can have damaging effects on your car’s paint.
3. Wax
Another car care tip we encourage is regular waxing. Wax helps protect your car’s exterior from the wintertime elements, resulting in less of a need to wash your car. Additionally, special wax can be used to protect alloy wheels from roadway salt buildup. Unsure which wax is right for your vehicle? Consult a professional — they should be able to guide you in the right direction.
Schedule a Car Care Appointment Now
Another important part of car care is keeping your tires in good driving condition and your fluids at the proper levels. At Waterloo Automotive, we understand that life gets busy, making it difficult to keep up on regular car care. Not to worry, though — our comprehensive service packages can help.
To learn how we can assist with your winter car care needs, call us and speak with one of our skilled auto technicians.