3 Things To Get Your Car Ready For Winter
Posted on: 13 September 2019
Winter is approaching – faster than many people would like. Unfortunately, winter weather brings a whole lot of potential damage for your car, truck, or SUV. Have you done what you need to do to prepare your vehicle for another winter's beating? Here, you'll find a short list of things that you should do to your car to protect it from the hazards of winter driving.
Rust Protection
Rust will happen very quickly over the winter, especially if it's already forming before you begin driving on the salt-covered roads. Before winter hits, it's a great idea to treat any areas of rust with a rust-inhibiting spray. Pick up some rust protection products that match as closely to your paint color as possible – if you're doing under-carriage work, go with black.
Before you can apply the rust-inhibiting spray, you'll have to remove the rust. This is done with a wire brush, sandpaper, or steel wool. After you've sanded away all of the rust, wipe the area clean and apply the spray. Follow the instructions to find out how long the product has to dry before you drive the car or before you apply the second and third coats.
Fresh Coat of Wax
Your car needs a good cleaning and wax job. The wax will help to create a barrier between the paint and the salt that will eat away at the metal under the paint. Waxing the car is more than just about shine – it's about protection. Those tiny scratches that might seem like nothing right now, but they can turn into large rust spots quickly if you allow the metal under the paint to remain exposed. The tiny scratches are sealed up with the wax, and the salt will have a little harder time reaching the metal.
Tires
How's the tread on your tires? Whether you have a four-wheel drive vehicle or not, you need to have good tires to get around safely in the snow and ice. If you have a front-wheel-drive car, you may want to upgrade to winter treads rather than all-season tires. These will provide a greater amount of traction in the snowiest of conditions.
Talk with a local auto professional to learn more about protecting your car from the damage of salt this year. Hopefully, winter doesn't hit hard, but if it does, you'll know that your car is ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
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