Washing a car in winter: what you need to know
During the cold season, especially in winter, dirt and reagents inevitably get on the car, get clogged in the cracks and create suitable conditions for corrosion. I want to wash it all off, but is it possible to pour water on the car when it’s -25 degrees outside? Let's find out together how often and how to properly wash a car in winter.
Do you need to wash your car in winter?
When it's below -10 degrees outside, you should wash your car with extreme caution, experts say. This is due to the properties of water, which expands at sub-zero temperatures. If you wash your car outside, small drops of water will remain in the cracks, chips and cracks. Because of this, a number of problems can arise in frosty weather:
rubber seals will crack
the door lock, wipers, trunk, gas tank flap will freeze
cracks will appear on the headlights, mirrors and glass
brake pads freeze
the paintwork will be damaged
On the other hand, you need to get rid of reagents that get onto the car along with road dirt. But is it really necessary to “save” your car from them? Let's consider this issue from a chemical point of view.
Reagents and salts that are sprinkled on the roadway can cause metal corrosion, that is, its oxidation and destruction. But for this, the reagents and the metal need to enter into a chemical reaction, which occurs only at temperatures above -5 degrees. Moreover, the warmer the environment, the more active oxidation occurs.
When the air cools to -8 degrees, all reactions that can destroy the metal “freeze.” In addition, reagents can have an aggressive effect on the car body only if there is damage to the paintwork.
Thus, during the thaw in winter, you can and should wash your car. However, what to do in cold weather if the car is very dirty and warming is not expected soon? Wash it of course! But this must be done taking into account the characteristics of the season.
Car in winter
Washing a car in winter: rules and features
Do not pour hot water on the body, as due to a sharp temperature change, the paint layer may begin to deteriorate. If it is -10 degrees outside, then the water temperature should not be higher than +40.
It is necessary to carefully wipe off any remaining water from the body, especially from the wings, since the liquid, having clogged into the microcracks of the varnish, can expand and destroy the protective coating. This will allow the salt to reach the paint.
After washing the car outside, it is better to dry it using a hair dryer or compressed air.
If after washing the car remains on the street, you need to start the engine, open the doors and turn on the heater in the cabin for 10 minutes. This will allow excess moisture to evaporate from the interior.
Until the body dries out, the wipers must remain in the raised position, otherwise they will freeze.
The handbrake cannot be used.
You should use a water-repellent lubricant for rubber bands and locks.
How often to wash your car in the cold season
According to research, your car needs to be washed just as often in winter as in summer. This means that as soon as you decide that the car is dirty, it’s time to go to the car wash. As a rule, during daily trips in winter, the car gets dirty quickly, and it is better to wash it twice a week. Firstly, this will make the car more visible on the roadway in poor road conditions, and therefore reduce the risk of an accident. Secondly, it will protect you from fines for dirty license plates (parts 1 and 2 of Article 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
Car in winter
How to choose a car wash
It is possible and necessary to wash your car in winter, but it is better not to do it yourself, but to entrust this work to professionals. The special products and high-pressure apparatus used at the car wash will clean the body until it shines without scratching it with salt and sand. The main thing is that the washers are able to completely dry the car and properly prepare it for driving out into the cold.
Washing a car in winter will be safe for your car even in severe frosts if:
The car wash premises are heated
The high pressure cleaner uses special foam
hinges, locks and rubber seals are treated with silicone grease to protect the door, lock and rubber cracks from freezing
special pumps are used that blow out remaining water from hard-to-reach places
When picking up a car from a car wash, look at the edge of the doors and under the arches, open the trunk. If you notice moisture somewhere, ask to dry it again. Remember: the car must be completely dry when driving outside!
