Road salt and dirt take a toll on cars in winter. If there is damage to the paintwork and rust, high repair costs will be incurred. An unwashed car can also be expensive for another reason: If the taillights, headlights and license plates are dirty or covered with snow, you can face fines of up to 5,000 euros.
The most important tips for washing your car in winter:
- In cold temperatures, you should prefer the car wash to the driveway: not only that water residue might cause doors and trunk lids to freeze. Frozen puddles can turn the car wash into a dangerous ice skating rink.
- Before washing, treat the door seals with a silicone spray or glycerin – this prevents the doors from freezing.
- If you have a car without a remote control, you should tape off the door locks before washing. At temperatures around freezing point, there is otherwise a risk that residual water will freeze and the car will no longer be able to be unlocked.
- Use the underbody wash in car washes: the dirt is particularly stubborn here. Particularly in areas where a lot of salt is spread, you should wash the underbody regularly. This prevents rust.
- The braking effect can be reduced by water residues. After washing, it’s best to apply the brakes briefly and the film of water will be gone.
