3 Easy Steps to Protecting your Car During the Winter

If you’re in Oklahoma you know the weather can be very unpredictable. Lately we've experienced freezing temperatures, in addition to snow and ice. To prevent us from these hazardous road conditions, companies apply salt and other chemicals to safeguard us from these unwelcome conditions. Unfortunately the chemicals used to protect us create a hazard to our vehicles finish.

Salt is a major cause and accelerate for rust, especially on the undercarriage of the vehicle. The vital, unseen components underneath your vehicle such as the braking system, steering components, suspension parts, metal frames including the wheels are essential for the safe operation of your vehicle. It can also cause premature damage to the painted surfaces if left on the vehicle for too long. Left unattended you may incur costly, unnecessary repairs. Let us show you how we can avoid these problems in 3 easy steps.       

1. Have your car professionally detailed and protected prior to the winter season: Part of our winterization detail includes the application of a durable wax, sealant or ceramic coating that is applied to paint and wheels. We also perform a window treatment that increases vision and cuts down on wiper wear. The overall process provides a protective barrier between your vehicle and the elements.
2. Winter maintenance: Wash immediately, after the snow and ice melt. Preferably at a “touch less” car wash facility, equipped with an undercarriage rinse option. Timing is crucial because the mix of chemicals applied to streets, promote rust on your vehicle as noted above. As a result, you prevent build up that could damage essential mechanical parts underneath the vehicle. NOTE: With my years of experience in the automatic car wash industry, I've seen a lot of damage occur from drive through car washes. If you plan to go to an automatic carwash, only use the touch less wash! If brushes or foam strips come into contact with your vehicle, they will be carrying all of the salt and grime that they picked up from everyone else’s vehicles. I’ve seen this happen way too many times to count.
3. Protect your carpets on the interior of your vehicle: The easiest way to do this is to flip all of your mats upside down so that you aren’t tracking any moisture onto your carpets. This is crucial in the rainy seasons as well. It’s amazing how clean you can keep your carpets by simply turning them over. Consider buying mats or something to cover the heavy traffic areas in your carpets not covered by any mats, especially those who transport children with SUV’s. Also, fabric guard can be applied to prevent stains from occurring.

I hope this information helps to maintain your vehicle through the winter season. If you have any questions or need further advice, please leave your comments below or contact me directly at 918-955-7174 or DJ@EcoGreenTulsa.com. Happy New Years!

 Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net