How Often Should You Wash Your Car in the Winter?

When drivers think of winter in Oshkosh, the image of crusty roads embezzled with dirty old salt may come to mind… or not. Regardless, if you’re a veteran driver to the wild winters of Wisconsin, you know how quickly your car can get dirty during the snowy months. And because cars get so dirty so fast in the winter, some drivers believe that you shouldn’t bother washing your car. So, can you wash your car in the winter? Should you even bother? Yes. You can wash your car in the winter, and you SHOULD wash your car frequently. Learn why it is important to know how to wash a car in winter and how often you should do it with the Holiday Automotive service team.

Can You Wash Your Car in the Winter?

Can you wash your car in the winter? Why should you wash your car in the winter? Just like any month of the year, you can wash your car by doing it yourself or going through a carwash in Sheboygan. During the winter months, however, washing your car matters more than any other season. Why? Because salt is used on the roads to melt snow and ice, you can expect your car to become coated with it. Salt on your vehicle leads to rusting, corrosion, and poor visibility when driving, which can lead to more serious issues down the road, such as:

• Expensive repairs due to rusted out parts
• Increased risk of car accidents
• The shortening of your vehicle’s lifespan 

If you find that your vehicle’s parts are rusted out, you’ll have to schedule a service appointment.

How Often You Should Wash Your Car 

Now that you know the risks of not washing your car, how often should you wash your car in the winter? Depending on the severity of winter in the West Bend this year, you should wash your car once a week to every two weeks. 

How to Wash Car in Winter: DIY

Unfortunately, visiting a car wash every week is expensive. By learning how to wash a car in the winter yourself, you can save yourself some extra cash. You’ll need the following: a hose, two buckets, high quality car wash detergent, a sponge or microfiber wash mitt, and lots of water. Once you have these items gathered, take the following steps:

1. Try to pick a day that is over 40 degrees Fahrenheit and wash your car during the daytime. If possible, wash your car inside your garage.
2. Take clean water, either using a hose or buckets, and spray your car to get rid of loose dirt and salt. Focus primarily on the undercarriage of your car. If you can, jack up your car for easier access to the undercarriage.
3. Fill one bucket with water (this will be your dirty water bucket) and another with car wash detergent and water. 
4. Take your sponge/microfiber mitt, and wipe down your car. Wash your sponge by dipping it in the dirty water bucket to prevent the salt from getting back on your car.
5. Once you’re done, let your car air dry.

Get More Tips on Winterizing Your Car With Holiday Automotive

Taking care of your car during the winter months in Fond du Lac is key to maintaining its lifespan. Read more of our winter tips and tricks on our website. For any questions, contact our service team.