Fall Prep: Why You Should Get a Car Wash Before Winter

We’re just about there–the fourth quarter of the year, deep into pumpkin everything, fall festivals, and seasonal sports. Love fall or hate it, we all have to accept that it means that winter is just around the corner. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to let your car’s cleanliness fall by the wayside. In fact, it’s arguably just as important as ever to keep your vehicle regularly washed. Here’s why.

Fall’s Effect On Your Car

The term “fall” originates from a rather poetic 16th-century British phrase, "fall of the leaf," used to refer to the time of year when trees shed their leaves and prepare for winter dormancy. And therein lies the risk–fallen leaves and their caustic tannins. Leaves tend to be acidic and they can etch, stain, and generally ruin your car’s perfect finish. If leaves land on your car and remain there, the leached tannins and sap will inevitably do a number on your car’s topcoat.

This time of year can also bring seasonal storms that blow debris onto your vehicle, and rain or misty mornings that will then lead them to stick. Again, the natural substances in leaves and other debris can be harmful to a car's paint job and can even cause staining, depending on circumstances and your car’s paint color. This is because the tannins and acids break down faster in wet leaves, and as they leach out, they then chemically bond with paint, leading to potential discoloration and damage over time.

Winter’s Effect On Your Car

Besides the cold weather and freezing temperatures causing strain on your car’s various systems, there are other factors that can directly impact your car’s finish and frame–namely, road salt, grimy snowy slush, and ice.

Road salt creates a highly corrosive electrolytic solution that speeds up the oxidation of metal, especially iron in steel. This natural chemical reaction accelerates the rusting process. Add in a nearly invisible scratch or paint chip from a ricocheted rock when you’re driving too close to the salt truck, and you have a scenario that just can’t end well for your car’s finish.

Unlike other times of year, when the wind or rain wash away road grime, in winter, all that grit and dirt get caught up in the snow slush and ice, which in turn splatter on your car’s undercarriage and cling to every surface possible. As temperatures drop and the slush turns to ice, these corrosive and abrasive materials can be in direct contact with your car’s paint job for prolonged periods of time. There, they can silently damage your car’s top coat and protective finish, leading to rust, corrosion, chipping, and fading.

Besides harming your car’s paint and finish and leading to surface rust, the undercarriage, brakes, and fuel lines can also be slowly eaten away by the corrosive effect of road salt. Clearly, there is a lot of potential damage just waiting to happen each and every winter.

How A Car Wash Protects Your Car In Winter

Regularly washing your car ensures that fall leaves and other seasonal debris are swiftly washed away, along with their corrosive and potentially staining natural compounds. Opting for a wax or ceramic coating provides another layer of protection, making future washes even more effective and simultaneously preventing damage from seasonal factors like falling leaves and storm debris.

Setting your car up with regular washing during the fall means that when winter arrives, it will be much easier to keep your car in great shape, all season long. Not only will road salt and grimy, snowy slush be more easily rinsed away when you pre-wash your vehicle in preparation for a big snow, but you will also be protecting your car’s structural elements, undercarriage, brakes, fuel lines and other vital features if you opt for the chassis bath, available with the Ultimate Bath, Protect-N-Shine, or Protection exterior car wash packages at Andy’s Autowash and Detailing Center.

Having a clean car going into winter also ensures that vital parts of your car are working their best. When headlights and sensors are clear, you’ll naturally have better visibility and functionality during the dark days of winter, which inevitably keeps you safer on the road. The cleaner your car, the less particulate matter there is for ice to form around, keeping door locks, windows, and mirrors easier to access and use. Regularly removing grime via a car wash paired with the application of protective coatings can help to make your car’s surface slicker, which will automatically repel water and ice, preventing buildup and subsequent corrosion.

Make Every Season Better With a Car Wash in North Olmsted, Ohio

As the year winds down and you prepare for fall and winter, keep our seasonal tips in mind for the best outcome for your car, regardless of the season. Expert advice is always to wash your vehicle at least once every week, and that’s easier than ever when you visit your local car wash in North Olmsted–Andy's Auto Wash and Detailing Center. We’ll do our part to keep your car resistant to the seasonal onslaught of leaves, debris, salt, and grime–all you need to do is drop by while you’re already out and about. It couldn’t be easier or more convenient to keep your car looking its best this and every season!

Keeping up a regular car washing schedule ensures that your car stays protected and looks good, no matter the weather. So take advantage of our wide range of services, including auto detailing in North Olmsted, Ohio. You can book your next detailing appointment online or shop online for our unlimited car wash plans.