Winter Car Care

Jan 27, 2017

If there’s one thing Destination Kia customers near Albany, Schenectady, Clifton Park, Queensbury, and Kingston NY know, it’s winter. You might be a professional at shoveling your driveway and driving during a snowstorm, but are you properly cleaning your vehicle during the winter? Probably not. Road salt, snow, and dirt don’t just make your car look unkempt, it can create rust and reduce the trade-in value or your vehicle. No worries, Destination Kia is here to help with these four tips!

Winterize with Wax – Wax can be a helpful protectant against harsh winter road conditions. It’s also incredibly affordable! One afternoon spent applying a layer of wax can protect you against several months of salt, snow, and mud.

You Missed a Spot – While road salt can accumulate anywhere on your vehicle, the most susceptible areas are behind the wheels, front grille, and quarter panels. These are generally the first places rust begins to form. Make it a habit of checking these areas regularly and making sure they’re clean to avoid rusting.

Wash It Down – We know what you’re thinking. “What is the point of washing my car in January? It’s just going to get dirty again!”. That may be true, but regularly rinsing your vehicle from all the winter grime will help prolong its appearance in the long run. Regardless of your method (hand wash, power washer, drive-thru car wash), make an effort to do so every other week. One more thing – make sure you’re washing your vehicle when the temperature is above 32 degrees. If not, prepare to be driving around in a popsicle!

Switch It Up – If you’re trudging through icy, snowy, dirty parking lots or streets, chances are your boots are bringing winter into your car. The best way to protect your floors is to invest in some custom fitted rubber mats for the winter.

Have more questions? No problem! Stop by the Destination Kia Service Department.

Woo, Kevin. “Why Washing Your Car in Winter Is Important.” YourMechanic Advice. N.p., 31 Mar. 2016. Web. 27 Jan. 2017. <https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/why-washing-your-car-in-winter-is-important-by-kevin-woo>.