How often to wash the car in winter and how to prevent corrosion

Be especially careful when washing your car in winter. The chemicals used by road services to combat ice and snow buildup on the roads can settle on the bodywork, causing corrosion.

There is no consensus among drivers about the need for frequent car washing in winter. Read OBOZREVATEL's article on how to properly wash a car in the cold season to prevent corrosion.

When to wash your car in winter

When the air temperature is zero and the car is used daily, experts advise washing it no more than a few times a week.

It is necessary to regularly clean the car from chemicals that are sprinkled on the road from ice and snow. Caustic road dirt, which usually contains technical salt, is a very dangerous and aggressive mixture for metal, which leads to damage to the paintwork and destruction of rubber. The mixture of salt, exhaust gases and dirt can cause rust.

Of course, corrosion is hard to notice right away, but it is a matter of time. Regular exposure to acids and chemicals will lead to the appearance of small brown droplets that you may not notice. And in a few seasons, these "specks" will dramatically increase, expand and grow.

It is extremely difficult to get rid of rust. You will have to pay a considerable amount of money. And upon completion, you may need to repaint the car.

Moreover, road salt has a negative impact on chrome elements, wheels, arches, sills, etc. Dark spots appear on them too.

How often should you wash your car?

First of all, you should follow basic rules. Don't wash your car in sub-zero temperatures by hand - you'll have to deal with frozen doors, locks, or trunks later. In addition, it can cause cracks in plastic or rubber. Due to sudden changes in temperature, there is a chance that the paintwork will crack because water will get into the microcracks and turn into ice when exposed to subzero temperatures. In this case, you should wash the car in a well-heated garage and dry it properly before driving.

Thus, the car should be washed using special products and warm water. Hot water in the cold will crack the paint and cause the glass to burst. For example, experts advise applying active foam to the body and leaving it on for a few minutes. Dirt and salts will quickly come off.

Do not forget about arches, sills, and the bottom. This is where harmful deposits most often accumulate.

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