Put the Shine Back in Your Ride This Winter

Vehicles trudge through cruddy conditions all winter long, and it doesn't take long to turn your shiny ride into a dull shadow of its former self.

"Vehicle appearances suffer during winter. People either look at routine cleanings as futile or are more focused on getting from Point A to Point B,” said Mike Deddo, senior research chemist for Turtle Wax. “Then spring rolls around and we’re staring down all this work because the car is thrashed.”

Avoid the winter blues by following some basic car care suggestions. Jim Dvorak of Mother’s Car Care offered the following ideas:

• A little effort now protects against a lot of work later. Routine maintenance helps prevent a mess from getting out of hand. A couple minutes cleaning the wheels, tires, carpet, glass and body, yields eye-catching results.
• Don’t forget to rinse. Salt and sand improve traction on icy roadways or driveways but scratches or corrodes a vehicle’s finishes if left to fester. Hose off wheels and undercarriage to keep the exfoliant from building up and wreaking havoc.
• Clean up the cabin. Wet weather turns the interior into a moldy, musty mess in a hurry. Switch to rubber floor mats this time of year so mud, snow and salt doesn’t take root in the carpet.
• Read and follow product instructions. Use products designed for vehicle carpet, upholstery and glass. Household cleaners may damage vehicle surfaces. Always test products in a small, out-of-the-way area.