Norma King is an AMSOIL lubricant dealer with nearly 50 years in the industry. Operating out of Missouri by way of Montana, she and her husband, Nick, run The Car Care Couple on social media. She just explained to followers why you should continuously wash your vehicle year-round, even in the winter. If you live in a cold weather state, listen up.

Salt and related chemicals can damage automotive paint, the undercarriage, and the wheels

The Ohio Department of Transportation uses either salt mined from underneath Lake Erie or oil field brine – a byproduct of oil and gas well drilling or related production. Trucks disperse the salt depending on anticipated road conditions. In the 2020-2021 season, 740,000 tons of salt hit Ohio roads. That’s a notable 75% increase from the previous year.

Considering your state’s salt use, it’s recommended you get a car wash every two weeks, if not more often.

“Washing your car is not optional”

According to the Car Care Couple, washing your car in the winter:

• Improves visibility
• Keeps tires in good shape
• Increases resale value
• Keeps your clothes clean
• Looks better than a dirty car

If it’s too cold to wash, you’ll end up with frozen locks and damaged paint

Wait for temps to rise above freezing (that’s 32 degrees Fahrenheit). Norma recommends holding off on washing until it’s at least 40 degrees outside.

Visit either a touchless or soft-touch car wash bay that includes undercarriage cleaning and heated drying. One of the commenters wondered what to do about the possibility of rocks and other debris on brush systems. If that’s a concern, just stuck with brushless, the Kings responded.

If the weather is mild enough, you can hand wash. Be sure to use a paint-safe shampoo and always dry thoroughly to prevent water from freezing. You can also try a waterless wash and wax.